DiscoverNEPA is partnering with American Rivers, a national leader in protecting and restoring rivers throughout the United States. In this space, they’ll offer insight and tips on keeping our rivers clean and healthy as well as updates on the organization’s local efforts and initiatives taking place right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
In NEPA, Summer Doesn’t Just Arrive, It Flows in with the Rivers
Whether you’re paddling down the Lackawaxen River, skipping rocks along the Loyalsock, or meeting family at your favorite Susquehanna River spot for a weekend reunion, our waterways are where memories are made. These rivers are more than just scenery, they are the soundtrack and setting for summer fun. They bring together generations for fishing, tubing, kayaking, and lazy picnics along the banks. They’re central to community life, woven into the fabric of our region’s culture and economy.
But hidden within some of these beloved waterways is a quiet, deadly threat: low head dams
Often mistaken for natural features or small waterfalls, low head dams are outdated structures, many built over a century ago for now-defunct mills or industrial uses. Today, they serve little to no purpose. Yet they remain scattered across Pennsylvania’s rivers, posing serious risks to public safety and the environment.
These dams create powerful recirculating currents at their base, sometimes called “drowning machines.” Even experienced paddlers and swimmers can be trapped in the undertow. Tragic accidents happen far too often, turning what should be a joyful day on the river into heartbreak.
Beyond the human danger, low head dams disrupt natural river flow, block fish passage, and degrade water quality. In short, they stand in the way of healthy, free-flowing rivers.
But there’s good news: We’re doing something about it
Across the state, a powerful partnership is at work to remove these obsolete and dangerous structures. American Rivers is proud to collaborate with Pennsylvania state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Fish & Boat Commission, as well as local nonprofits and watershed groups. Together, we’re identifying, prioritizing, and removing low head dams, restoring rivers to their natural state and making them safer for everyone.
Each dam removal is a win for the community: safer recreation, better fishing, improved habitat, and healthier ecosystems. And in many cases, removing a dam becomes a celebration, a new chapter in the river’s story that honors its past while opening the way for a freer future.
This summer, as you return to your favorite swimming hole or plan that river float with friends, take a moment to think about the water beneath you. Imagine it running clean, wild, and unobstructed, just as it was meant to be.
Learn about the issues impacting NEPA’s rivers — and how you can make a difference at AmericanRivers.org.
