Shad restoration

[rckrego]

I was listening to NPR on my way to work the other day and heard an interview with someone involved with the restoration of the shad population on the brandywine in Delaware. Apparently, they are putting in fish ladders and taking other measures to give the shad a route over and around the dams on the river. Has anyone ever proposed this for the rivers of eastern PA? I know valley creek and the tully used to have tremendous shad runs. Seems like it would be pretty easy to fix the situation on Valley. That dam isn't very big, nor does it seem to be doing much good. Blue Marsh Dam might be a little tougher. Are there any other rivers or streams where efforts could be taken to help the shad. Seems like something maybe local TU chapters could help with. I don't know. I'd love to lend my assistance in any way I can.

 

[JeffK]

Restoring shad runs is tough. They have placed shad ladders on the Lehigh, but so far nothing. Part of the funding for the removal of Pursell's Dam on the Lopatcong was for anadromous fish - but other than eels I doubt much will come of it (although eels are actually being threatened over a wide swath of the area). The Delaware shads runs came back nicely from the bad old 1960's when there was no measurable oxygen in the Delaware at Philadelphia, but I haven't seen any of the other NJ/Eastern PA shad runs coming back.

 

[rckrego]

Well we'll have to see what happens with the Bradywine restoration efforts. If they can bring the herring species back to their waters, then there might be hope yet!