SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — It's been nearly a decade since the debate surrounding whether to repair or remove Wehr's Dam in South Whitehall began.
But now officials say repairs to the structure are complete.
In 2014, local nonprofit environmental group Wildlands Conservancy offered to remove Wehr’s Dam, a concrete barrier that has stood for more than 100 years on Jordan Creek, because of its ecological impact.
- The major repairs to Wehr's Dam in South Whitehall are now complete
- The debate over whether to repair or remove the over-100-year-old dam began in 2014 when the Wildlands Conservancy offered to remove it
- The township may need to complete additional minor repairs in the spring
But many South Whitehall Township residents didn't want the dam removed, and after years of debate, voters approved a referendum in 2016 that let the township borrow funds to repair it.
Six years after that referendum, the major repairs are now complete, Township Director of Operations Herb Bender said.
"They faced an uphill battle, sparring with powerful interests and elected officials who had little use for the crown jewel of the South Whitehall park system; but in the end, they were successful."Jacob Roth, South Whitehall Township commissioner
The township may need to complete additional minor repairs in spring, but Bender said he won't know for sure until the state Department of Environmental Protection inspects it.
Jacob Roth, who recently was appointed to the South Whitehall Board of Commissioners, posted on Facebook about the path to repair the dam.
“Nearly ten years ago, a group of dedicated citizens — cognizant of our rich local history — led a grassroots effort to save Wehr’s Dam from likely demolition,” Roth wrote.
“They faced an uphill battle, sparring with powerful interests and elected officials who had little use for the crown jewel of the South Whitehall park system; but in the end, they were successful. Our community owes them a profound debt of gratitude for their efforts.”
Commissioners President Diane Kelly said in a previous interview that the dam will need maintenance in the future, but that likely won't require a large amount of funding each year.
History of the dam
Wehr’s Dam was built in 1904 for Wehr’s Mill, a grist mill that was on the north side of Jordan Creek near the Covered Bridge.
The mill, which was built in 1862, previously used a wooden dam located farther upstream.
The dam was needed to operate the mill because it used water wheels for power. The dam backed up water from the creek, creating a reserve of water that then turned the water wheels and generated power.
According to the book “South Whitehall Then and Now” by Paul Wieand, the concrete dam was “considered the best-constructed dam in this part of the country” when it was built.
Funding the repairs
In 2014, the nonprofit environmental group Wildlands Conservancy approached the township about removing the dam. The group argued the dam was harmful to the wildlife in Jordan Creek and offered to remove it at no cost to the township.
But many township residents demonstrated in favor of keeping the dam, citing its historical significance and beauty, and the township Board of Commissioners voted against removing it.
In 2016, voters approved a ballot initiative authorizing the township to borrow up to $600,000 for the eventual repair of the dam.
But later, estimates showed the cost exceeding the amount set aside.
Former South Whitehall Commissioner Matthew Mobilio argued at the time that since repairing the dam could cost more money than the voters approved, maybe the money could be better spent elsewhere.
“I appreciate it, and I think it's beautiful…But looking at it from a purely economic perspective, and where does it make sense to spend the money, it just didn't make sense to me,” Mobilio said in an earlier interview.
Other commissioners disagreed. Commissioners President Diane Kelly said the dam is historic and serves as a gathering place for the community.
“Families bring their children; people of all ages go and sit by the water and listen to it running over the dam,” Kelly said. “At any time of day, you can see multiple people there just enjoying the serenity of that whole area. So I think that's one of the reasons why it's such a jewel for the township.”
After the project went out to bid, contractors came back with costs significantly under initial estimates. Bender said the repairs will cost the township about $358,000 — a little more than half of what township residents agreed to let the township borrow for the project.
