Restoration of the Former Van Reed Paper Mill Dam Site on the Cacoosing Creek Continues
Since the dam was removed earlier this summer, remediation plans have been adjusted to better address the state of the creek and the legacy sediment trapped behind the former impoundment.
To this end, the PA Department of Environmental Protection has approved two new permits: one to ensure that the road near the mill is stabilized against the creek and another to haul the sediment from the impoundment off site, in order to reduce the amount of sediment being washed downstream.
Work to implement these new remediation strategies have already begun. American Rivers, Berks Nature, and the PA Fish and Boat Commission all agreed that it was to the greatest benefit of the fish and the river to continue this work through the fall instead of waiting until 2023.
However, the site of the former Van Reed Paper Mill Dam will be dynamic and in flux for some time yet, as this restoration work aims to heal over 100 years of manipulation, which will not be resolved in short order. Berks Nature and American Rivers will continue to monitor and adapt as needed to ensure the long-term health of the creek.
“In 2011 I walked about 200 miles and lost about 70lbs on trails throughout PA and MD. I drove all over finding trails new to me. Yesterday a friend and I hiked the Gravity Trail (right in my own back yard.) What a gem of greater Reading! Beautiful job. There were times I could hardly believe I was so close to the city.”