City of Columbus finishes dam removal ahead of schedule on East Fork White River

COLUMBUS, Ind.- The City of Columbus has announced that the old low-head dam on the East Fork White River has been removed.

Workers have completed removal of the low‑head dam on the East Fork White River ahead of schedule, marking a major milestone in the Riverfront Project. Crews finished dismantling the 1903 structure in less than the projected 10 days, opening the river to a natural flow and dramatically changing its appearance.

The dam, long considered a drowning hazard due to its deteriorating condition, was removed to improve safety, prevent erosion on the west bank and support long‑term river restoration efforts. Most of the project’s cost is covered by state and federal grant funding.