Possible plans to remove a dam on the Olentangy River threatens an Ohio State club team.
The OSU crew club uses the Olentangy almost everyday, and their practice space may be eliminated by removing a dam near Fifth Avenue. This low-head dam controls the flow of the Olentangy, making it a suitable place for the club.
The idea to remove the dam came about after the City of Columbus was fined by the Environmental Protection Agency. The $250,000 fine was the result of testing that revealed the poor water quality of the river. Instead of immediately paying the fine, the city decided to look into cleaning up the Olentangy.
The dam, which is located south of King Avenue, was targeted because it is the only one that has no utilities or sewage lines running through it, and there is now no real use for it, said David Sweet, spokesman for the department of physical facilities at OSU.
Sweet said before anything can be done, an Army Corp of Engineers must come in and test the sediment build-up behind the dam. If this proves to be harmful and will cause more damage if it is released, the dam may be left alone.
Peter Steenstra, head coach of the OSU crew club, said he believes if the dam is taken out, the water will become “a trickle,” and the size of the river will shrink considerably. This will take away the space the club needs to practice.
“The club is dependent on that body of water, mainly because of its safety and convenience,” Steenstra said. “It is obvious the river needs to be cleaned. If the city seriously wants a clean river then they need to stop dirtying it. They can stop dumping sewage in it because raw sewage drains dump directly off of the streets into the river.”
The club, which was informed in August of the issue, has been working as a lobbyist to make sure its voice is heard.
“Every day, 100 people between the two clubs use the river, as well as varsity crew, which use the river for its novice rowers,” Steenstra said.
Other OSU departments have different ideas for what to do about the dam.
Tim Lawrence, program director for the Campus Shed Project, said many departments and students would benefit if the dam was removed.
It would provide many students with first-hand research of how a river rebuilds itself, and the water quality can go from bad to better allowing for a diversity of aquatic species, Lawrence said.
He said the area could become something beautiful, so removing the dam cannot be looked at as only negative.
Joe Blasko, a local lawyer and current rower, is representing the crew club and is helping its members to communicate with the city, as well as providing them with counsel on environmental issues.
He said the club is in a very hard situation because if the dam is removed it will cause the program to be eliminated.
“This club has the highest GPA of any club, and it is a shame to take something away from students who have not only excelled in the classroom, but also on the river,” Blasko said.
He also said it appears as if the university has not gone to bat for the club.
Jim Neuber, crew captain, said his college experience would not have been the same without the program.
“Personally, OSU crew was the best thing I have ever done in life and because of it, I have learned a lot,” Neuber said. “It is a great program.”
