Project Statement

The revitalization of the Elba Dam honors the site’s historic structures, preserving them as living reminders of the role they played in powering the local communities of Elba, Troy, and Dothan until the dam’s decommissioning in 2015.This project seeks to transform the overgrown inaccessible hydroelectric dam into an engaging, accessible space that immerses viewers in a landscape reminiscent of past technological achievements. The design proposes for the removal of the dam to enhance environmental protection and bolster community resilience. Removing the spillway projects a 29% increase in access to critical habitat types utilized by threatened and endangered fish and mussel species, while also mitigating future flood risks in Elba.

Project Narrative

In response to escalating climate change concerns, the small town of Elba, located in south-central Alabama, faces a pressing future due to the threat of rare, yet severe flooding.

The project aims to tackle the challenge of flooding by proposing the removal of sections of the out-of-order dam located 4 miles south of downtown. Removing parts of the dam's walls will enable river surges to flow downstream faster, reducing the risk of flooding in downtown areas. This approach alleviates pressure on the town’s levee system, which protected downtown during the 2015 flood but caused significant damage outside it to homes and businesses, including the dam which was breached. The removal of this dam offers significant ecological benefits. $2,000,000 has been secured from the Fish & Wildlife Services for the National Fish Passage Program (NFPP), specifically for the dam's removal and it was reported that  the dam is the only fish passage barrier in the Choctawhatchee River basin, and its removal is projected to increase access to habitat types used by threatened and endangered species by 29%.

The design approach centers around the removal of the dam to enable fish passage and mitigate downtown flooding.Part of the design involves removing the forebay wall along with several feet of soil in order to enhance the river's capacity to hold water and manage river surges effectively. The design includes diverting a portion of the river where the forebay wall once stood. This approach reflects the historical operational path of the river, restoring where the water had previously flowed: through the forebay, into the pumphouse, and then pumped out downstream. 

For the path, an accessible raised boardwalk is made from local pressure-treated pine, with railings and supports made from stainless steel for durability. The path is raised in order to maintain the 2.7% slope across a 16-foot drop in the forebay’s channel. Repurposed decomposed granite from the removal of the dam marks where the path meets the natural contours and throughout the path’s 1,500 foot length, the boardwalk transitions in size, space, and material, aiming to integrate sustainability with historical elements. 

The boardwalk comprises three levels, each carefully designed to provide unique experiences. The first level serves as the main point of entry, featuring dense vegetation like native oaks, sycamores, and ash trees. The second level is an open meadow area with native grasses like bluestem and switchgrass, along with seasonal flowers. This level offers shaded spots provided by the canopies of the 1st level and houses smaller trees such as black tupelo and river birch, which enjoy wet conditions towards the pumphouse.The final level of the boardwalk brings visitors closer to the water, providing access for activities like kayaking and fishing. Here, the design incorporates moments where visitors can interact with remnants of the dam, including areas where the river once flowed through gates when the dam was operational or standing on the bridge that floats over the existing form of the dam allowing  viewers to see the formations, known as "rock pedestals," created by water currents from the dam during its operation. The pumphouse allows kayakers and visitors to appreciate the grandeur of its patinated machinery amidst wild river vegetation from within. Archways cut into the pumphouse allows up close exploration of this area.