In the November 2016 general election, South Whitehall voters approved a $600,000 increase in township debt to restore and maintain Wehr’s Dam.

At the Sept. 4, 2019, commissioners’ meeting, Director of Township Operations Randy Cope reported the cost could approach $1 million.

He said Michael Baker International prepared an engineering report which the township submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection dam safety division.

Cope said the engineering plan, which described the scope of work needed to see the project through, was included in the township’s application for a permit from the DEP.

He attributed the cost increase to inflation, and wear and tear on the dam structure since the estimate compiled by Michael Baker three years ago.

At that time, the engineering firm recommended partial replacement as the most cost effective solution to preserve and maintain the dam and presented a five year plan to accomplish the dam restoration.

The outline for the project consists of: Year I, design and permitting; year II, permit review and bidding; year III, phase one construction with spillway repair; year IV, phase two construction with drawdown structure and embankment repair; and year V, phase three construction with public safety enhancements.

Built approximately 125 years ago on the Jordan Creek to power a mill, Wehr’s Dam hosts anglers, photographers, wildlife observers, school groups and visitors who are enjoying Covered Bridge Park.

William Wehr, whose grandfather built the dam, organized a movement before the referendum, to save the structure after the Wildlands Conservancy recommended its removal.

At that time, Wehr said it is important to preserve history, memories and recreation at Wehr’s Dam for present and future generations.

Cope said the DEP review process usually takes six to 12 months.

“We’ll know a lot more when we get comments back,” Cope said. “Then we’ll probably start moving forward.”