NEWTOWN, PA — A major $1.3 million restoration project to remove a dam from the Neshaminy Creek in Bucks County is scheduled to begin next week.
Work to remove the Spring Garden Dam at Tyler State Park in Newtown and Northampton townships is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8 and last through the end of the month, with landscaping and site restoration continuing into October.
The major ecological restoration project represents a significant step toward improving stream health, enhancing public safety, and expanding recreational opportunities for park visitors, said state officials in announcing the joint project between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which manages Tyler State Park.
The Spring Garden Dam, which is approximately 225 feet wide and 9 feet tall, will be the second-largest dam ever removed in Pennsylvania.
The project is being funded by $750,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and $550,000 from DCNR's Environmental Stewardship Fund.
Park operations will continue as usual throughout the project, with limited impacts to visitor access, officials said.
The Spring Garden Dam at Tyler State Park. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Tyler State Park in Bucks County. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
The popular Fisherman's Parking Lot across from the Spring Garden Mill in Northampton Township will remain open during construction.
A section of the footpath along Tyler Park Drive near the dam will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety while heavy equipment is on location. A short section of the Neshaminy Creek Trail will also close for one to two days during the installation of a new access gate and drainage cross-pipe.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be conducting wildlife protection measures ahead of construction, including temporarily trapping and relocating Red‑Bellied Turtles — classified as a threatened and endangered species — from the immediate work zone.
Aside from these small areas, most park facilities, trails, and recreation locations will remain fully open during the restoration project.
State officials said the project's primary goals are to restore the Neshaminy Creek to free-flowing conditions, eliminate a longstanding public safety hazard, and enhance water-based recreation within the park. Removing the dam will reconnect aquatic habitat and improve passage for fish and other wildlife, they said.
"Neshaminy Creek is designated for migratory fish, and clearing this barrier will help support healthier, more sustainable fish populations," state officials said. "In addition, 'run of the river' dams such as Spring Garden can create dangerous conditions for paddlers, anglers, and others who use the creek. Removing this structure will help make the area safer. Visitors will also enjoy more natural stream flows, improved fishing opportunities, and an enriched stream corridor experience."
According to state officials, the dam serves no recreational or functional purpose for the park. It also does not have any flood‑control capabilities, and its removal is not expected to increase flooding risks during storm events.
"Hydrologic assessments have confirmed that eliminating the structure will not change how Neshaminy Creek behaves during high‑water conditions," state officials said.
As project milestones progress, updates will be shared on Tyler State Park's webpage.
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