removing the dams off elkhorn

[MrSplitshot]

I believe there are 6 dams on the North Fork if I'm thinking right...

All I can say to these folks from NC is "Good luck with that." I'd say it's a big undertaking with plenty of obstacles and I don't see them getting it done. (Flood control, farmers along the North Fork that use irrigation lines from those big pools to water their crops, money, etc.)

I'm not advocating it here, but personally, I think it might make the smallmouth fishing better on the North Fork...the faster flowing riffle/pool/riffle/pool areas are loved by the smallmouth. The dam areas and boat ramps are convenient, and floating larger boats above them are nice...but myself, I always catch more smallmouth in the mile or so below each one. (Faster water, more of a riffle/pool deal like the main stem in Franklin County or the South Fork.) Sure, we catch some smallmouth in the deeper water too, but it doesn't seem to be as many to me...

Again, not advocating removal of the dams, but I'm not sure it would be the total kiss of death for the Elkhorn. It would change it substantially, agreed. The South Fork is a heck of a fishery though, and I could see the North Fork being the same way.

[agreynolds]

My family owns one of these Dams on North Elkhorn. We have been approached by these people. They are in the business of providing polluters in North Carolina set aside restoration to make up for the land they are destroying in the Carolinas. Luckily my family owns both sides of the creek all the way around the Dam there. The Scott Co. Fiscal Court owns one side of the creek at Great Crossings, where there is another Dam. The fact of the matter is that most of these dams where built or repaired by the KDFW in the fifties and they still help to maintain them. George Lusby is the Scott Co. Judge Executive, he is a fisherman and good man who has worked to protect Elkhorn Creek. I am sure that if you contacted him he could provide more info. As to the people from North Carolina we told them to stay off our land.