Dam construction makes it easier for fish to travel upstream | News

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Coastal cities are well known for their fish and wildlife. For a lot of them, it's the driving source of their economy. But in recent years, more fish are becoming endangered.

Wilmington's Army Corps of Engineers is taking steps to transform Lock and Dam 1 on the Cape Fear River into Rock Arch Rapids. This creates a pathway for fish, like striped bass, sturgeon and shad.

"These are called anadromous fish," said Phil Prete with the Cape Fear Arch
Conservation Collaboration Executive Committee. "They are migratory fish that migrate upstream to spawn."

There are a total of 3 Lock and Dams on the river. The fish have to make it through all three before they reach their spawning ground.

The dams have been here for almost a century and its purpose was for boats doing business. There's not much commerce now, just problems for the existing fish.

"It used to be the only way the fish could get upstream was actually being locked in a lock chamber like you would lock a ship or recreational vessel," said Frank Yelverton, biologist with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The system only let about half the fish go through, which led to drastic drops in their numbers, even endangering a few.

This $13 million bypass is expected to give 100% of the fish a chance. More fish, means more fishing, which in turn makes for a better economy.

"If more fish can get upstream to spawn, that means more adults will come back from the spawn," said Yelvertson. "That's not only a recreational benefit but also a commercial benefit."

Right now, there is only funding for one dam. If this plan is successful, the Army Corps will look into transforming the other 2 dams as well.

The construction on this project should be complete in a few months.

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