BEATTY DAM CLEAN-UP

On September 11, 9 FOGR members and two new friends met at the former site of Beatty dam. In four hours of work, they removed 20 cubic meters of refuse from the former millpond.

More than 6 old bicycles were recovered along with several old buggy wheels, an iron catwalk section, the hood, shocks and 1 tire from a car and many feet of scrap pipe, metal cables and other small refuse.

All of the materials were removed via a manual bucket hoist and disposed of appropriately. This removal, in conjunction with the work of the stewardship Rangers, led by FOGR Board member Steven May, has cleared out the hazardous refuse from the former millpond, directly above falls now at the old dam site.

After the cleanup, all of those present noted the swarm of mating tricos and the spinner fall that followed. More than just these tiny insects have reclaimed this site, which is now flowing river again. Fish and fishermen were also sighted over lunch. We are now investigating ways to work toward removing the old large diameter cooling water pipe that crosses the riverbed. It is no longer in use and FOGR has approached its owners about a possible removal.

Photo by Al Murray, Waterloo County Stewardship Council

Robin Boles (Crew Supervisor), Stephen May (FOGR), Tim Forestell, Sarah Snyder, Daina Anderson, Michael Armstrong

FOGR members: Paul Harper, Ed Wallace, ??, Farrah McFadden

FOGR members: ??, Larry McGratton, Terry Ryckman, ??

Dwyne Patrick, FOGR