On August 12, the City of Troy will open the doors on the Troy section of the Great Miami River's dam system to prepare for a mussel relocation project. On Friday, August 15, City staff, along with partner agencies and volunteers, will work to relocate freshwater mussels, preventing damage to these valuable invertebrates during the upcoming low dam removal project.
Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the upcoming work:
Why is the City relocating mussels?
Native freshwater mussels live on the river bottom–and, for the health of the river, they need to survive the upcoming restoration work. Mussels are natural filters: by feeding on algae, plankton, and silts, they help purify the water and keep it clean and healthy. Mussels are also an important food source for many species of wildlife, helping to transfer nutrients into the substrate, the layer of nutrient-rich sediment on the river floor. Because these animals are so valuable to river health, state and federal policies require protection for freshwater mussels during river reconstruction projects.
How low will the river be after the dam is removed?
Once the dam is open, the water level will lower. However, residents and visitors should note that this configuration is not permanent. The reconstruction project includes a levee shelf that will help to reshape the river. Sediment that has been deposited in the pool of the dam will be removed or repositioned as part of the restoration process.
Why remove this dam in the first place?
Concrete low-head dams, like the one in Troy, were installed decades ago to sustain the water level, often for industrial projects like Troy’s former power plant. However, most low-head concrete dams, including Troy’s, have outlived their life and purpose. Low-head dams harm water quality through oxygen depletion, interrupt fish migration, and create dangerous undercurrents that can seriously injure kayakers and canoers. Removing Troy’s low-head dam will help to make the Great Miami River safer for recreation and improve conditions for paddlers. This restoration will also increase habitat for species important to fishing, such as the smallmouth bass.
With the removal of the dam, sediment will flow naturally, meaning less sediment will build up in Troy's section of the river. The result will be healthier, cleaner water that supports native fish species and other aquatic life.
The low-head dam removal is 100 percent reimbursable through state and federal grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Miami Conservancy District, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies are collaborating with the City of Troy on this project.
What's the next step for the dam removal project?
While the final design is still in progress, demolition and construction are scheduled to begin in 2026.