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Work group eyes Sherman's Creek water-trail, dam removals and river impacts as planning and grant priorities
Summary
Members reviewed a Sherman's Creek story map, found the creek's navigability and several low-head dams constrain a continuous water trail, and discussed feasibility studies, American Rivers support, and grant paths for dam removal and habitat restoration. Concerns were raised about river temperature and water withdrawals tied to proposed data centers.
The Perry County planning work group reviewed a Sherman's Creek Greenway story map and discussed next steps for turning informal access and heritage features into a formal water-trail designation and long-term restoration work.
Members noted parts of Sherman's Creek are navigable by canoe or kayak to certain points but that low-head dams and impoundments pose barriers to continuous passage. One attendee cited four low-head structures listed in the National Dam Registry and flagged two as significant impediments: one at Drum Golds and another by a scout camp. The group discussed removing or modifying low-head dams as a long-term option but acknowledged dam removal can change channel elevation and require careful sediment-stabilization work and Army Corps coordination.
The group does not yet have a formal feasibility study, participants said, but plans to seek help from American Rivers and to pursue available grant programs (participants named a small-watershed planning grant from the National fish and watershed fund [NIW] as an example). "Part of the dam work is very long term," the presenter said; the group agreed the feasibility study and planning work would be appropriate first steps and could be packaged with planning-grant applications.
Environmental and water-supply concerns were prominent in discussion. The presenter said regional water temperatures in the Susquehanna River (transcripted as "Suscuana") are rising and noted that a proposed data-center operation mentioned in the meeting would require a substantial increase in water withdrawals — the presenter used a figure of "another 66% increase" in needed water. Members flagged potential constraints if downstream temperatures and water quality worsen, and they noted differing water-quality conditions coming from neighboring Dauphin County (transcripted as "Dolphin County").
Next steps include posting the Sherman's Creek story map for public feedback, exploring American Rivers support for dam-removal planning, and pursuing planning grants that can fund a feasibility study and design work ahead of any implementation.
