Hard_Rom
Northumbrian Skald
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2014
- Posts
- 13,623
Here in London the Mayor has vowed to repair the Springbank Dam, damaged in a flood over 10 years ago (lawsuits!). Has no purpose but to raise river level 15' for recreational use.
I am with the opposition to this. The dam serves no flood protection role and is a barrier to fish movement up and down the main branch of the Thames River, just west of the North, South branch forks. The e-coli, phosphorus and nitrate counts sky rocket during the summer high water levels.
The 'for' argument is that it enables a rowing/canoe club to operate easily and enhances the look due to more water not weedy banks.
Lies within the Thames floodplain so no development is allowed, just city parks and bike paths.
Only a few groups 'for' the dam and many against, including the WWF and First Nation people 10 miles down stream. Also all local fishing groups, recreational and commercial.
City staff recommends not to repair but also recommends leaving in place. In place broken dam parts are the big reason for the fish impediment, even while down. Small fish have a hard time getting past dam with gates down. Baby ducklings and goslings cannot negotiate the passage.
Since it has been down beaver have moved in, water quality is up and osprey pop. in city has quadrupled.
Usually Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters fights the commercial fish industry. On this case they are united. I am against the OFAH yet they will be at city hall sitting right beside me.
I'm a tree hugger.
My fishing club is against the dam. Just for selfish fishing reasons. I can't get them to support an osprey nesting box program and had to get real loud about exterminating beaver in our pond. Barely defeated a motion to affiliate with OFAH. Luckily some hunters were away on hunting trip so motion failed. Plus my eloquent assassination of the OFAH.
Rowing club is the same. Only benefitting their members. You can still canoe the Thames but in London, you can't have world class rowing competitions near downtown. Large reservoir, Fanshawe Lake, northwest of town is sight of Canadian Women's Olympic Rowing Training Camp.
No real commercial value to dam. We would have to host lots of world class events to give downtown an economic shot in the arm. Thames is a huge Great Lakes fish spawning area so commercial fisheries want dam gone to extend access to spawning grounds for walleye and salmon.
OFAH twists science to support it's own ends. Is there to support it's angler component. Quite a provincial and Federal political lobbyist, the OFAH. Pro-gun guys up here.
Rumour has it someone caught a 40" muskie at the forks! Got them at the mouth and Lake St. Clair. The Thames is a warm water fishery, so muskie should do well up here.
I grew up downstream. Since dam went down and stayed down, the river has never looked clearer. In 40 years of fishing the same hole I did as a kid, I've seen it change. Mostly gravel and sand with huge spring floods. Changes yearly, noticeably. Was always muddy though. Thames is primarily a silt bottom the further south you go. But to have any section of the main branch clear enough to see bottom in 3 feet of water is huge, IMO.
That killed enough time. Venti Starbucks moca done. Off to fight the good fight.
I am with the opposition to this. The dam serves no flood protection role and is a barrier to fish movement up and down the main branch of the Thames River, just west of the North, South branch forks. The e-coli, phosphorus and nitrate counts sky rocket during the summer high water levels.
The 'for' argument is that it enables a rowing/canoe club to operate easily and enhances the look due to more water not weedy banks.
Lies within the Thames floodplain so no development is allowed, just city parks and bike paths.
Only a few groups 'for' the dam and many against, including the WWF and First Nation people 10 miles down stream. Also all local fishing groups, recreational and commercial.
City staff recommends not to repair but also recommends leaving in place. In place broken dam parts are the big reason for the fish impediment, even while down. Small fish have a hard time getting past dam with gates down. Baby ducklings and goslings cannot negotiate the passage.
Since it has been down beaver have moved in, water quality is up and osprey pop. in city has quadrupled.
Usually Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters fights the commercial fish industry. On this case they are united. I am against the OFAH yet they will be at city hall sitting right beside me.
I'm a tree hugger.
My fishing club is against the dam. Just for selfish fishing reasons. I can't get them to support an osprey nesting box program and had to get real loud about exterminating beaver in our pond. Barely defeated a motion to affiliate with OFAH. Luckily some hunters were away on hunting trip so motion failed. Plus my eloquent assassination of the OFAH.
Rowing club is the same. Only benefitting their members. You can still canoe the Thames but in London, you can't have world class rowing competitions near downtown. Large reservoir, Fanshawe Lake, northwest of town is sight of Canadian Women's Olympic Rowing Training Camp.
No real commercial value to dam. We would have to host lots of world class events to give downtown an economic shot in the arm. Thames is a huge Great Lakes fish spawning area so commercial fisheries want dam gone to extend access to spawning grounds for walleye and salmon.
OFAH twists science to support it's own ends. Is there to support it's angler component. Quite a provincial and Federal political lobbyist, the OFAH. Pro-gun guys up here.
Rumour has it someone caught a 40" muskie at the forks! Got them at the mouth and Lake St. Clair. The Thames is a warm water fishery, so muskie should do well up here.
I grew up downstream. Since dam went down and stayed down, the river has never looked clearer. In 40 years of fishing the same hole I did as a kid, I've seen it change. Mostly gravel and sand with huge spring floods. Changes yearly, noticeably. Was always muddy though. Thames is primarily a silt bottom the further south you go. But to have any section of the main branch clear enough to see bottom in 3 feet of water is huge, IMO.
That killed enough time. Venti Starbucks moca done. Off to fight the good fight.
