West Fork Demolition

After seven years of planning, grant-writing, regulatory check-offs, public hearings and heated controversy, West Virginia’s first stream enhancement dam removal project is underway. Demolition of the West Milford Dam will be followed in coming weeks by the removal of two other non-functioning former West Fork water supply dams — the 105-year-old Two Lick Dam and the 111-year-old Highland Dam. While the West Fork dam removal project is a first for West Virginia, more than 1,000 unused or outdated dams have been removed at sites across the nation, including 310 in the past five years, to improve recreation and wildlife habitat.