Secretary John C. Oliver announced the agency will provide for fish passage in the inflatable dam at Shikellamy State Park, Northumberland County, to allow American shad to return to historic spawning grounds in the upper reaches of the Susquehanna River. The inflatable dam on the Susquehanna is the last remaining impediment to upriver passage of migrating shad to spawning habitat beyond Sunbury. The fish had been known to migrate as far north as Cooperstown, N.Y., on the North Branch of the river, and Chest Creek, Blair County, on the West Branch, before dams.
Migratory fish are an important part of our heritage and economy.
Opening up this passage brings us one step closer to a time when we can experience the power and determination of this wonderful species. Design is expected to take about 18 months. The passage should be operational for the shad migration in spring 2004. Shad penetrated well into New York on the North Branch and West Branch of the Susquehanna River, and the Juniata River as well. In 1881, there were some 40 permanent seine fisheries in the North Branch alone, each commonly taking 10,000 shad per day.