Marianna Dam

Copyright Lisa Scherer

The 110 year old Marianna dam, built for a coal mining company in the 1900's. 

Because of safety, flood concerns, lack of funds for repair, etc, the structure is set to be removed by the group American Rivers sometime in 2020. 

Update: In September 2019 new borough council overturned the removal of the dam project, which old council approved in 2018, losing out on free dam removal and restoration of Ten Mile creek, bank repairs, new park, wheel-chair accessible ramp, trail, etc. Sludge is up to the knees from the dam on up to the borough bridge and possibly beyond. Barely any water moved over the dam in the summer of 2020 due to serious lack of rainfall. This causes stagnant water above dam. There is no borough document that exists to show a majority of residents in the borough, and/or the township, want the dam saved.

Many people say they will miss the dam and still want to keep it. It is a place they have often visited over the years just for its beauty. Nonetheless there is still a danger of an aged structure with many cracks for those who fish, paddle, and live near the dam, and liability and cost associated with keeping it is money the borough currently does not have. And then there is the issues of flooding upstream from the dam, which anyone has yet to address. This in itself comes with safety issues due to roads having to close. 

The reservoir has also outlived its purpose as serving as a local public water supply until 2014. 

The dam waterfall is peaceful...

and at times downright scary.

The good thing is the creek water will eventually be healthier when the dam is gone and native fish can flourish once again. Much can be gained from its removal. 

2018 Preliminary species occurrence above, below, and in between Marianna Dam and Pump Station Dam (Deemston). For reference if and when Marianna dam is removed.