Williamsport fish ladder not working due to broken gate blocking flow according to DCNR official

The Williamsport fish ladder is currently not operational, according to Luke Ulsamer, Forest Assistant Manager with the DCNR Tiadaghton Forest District, due to a broken gate blocking flow through the structure.

"While operating the gate to the fish ladder during routine maintenance, something broke in the gate. It is resting on the bottom of the structure effectively cutting off all water to the fish ladder system," he said. "So (there is) no fish passage until we get this fixed."

Ulsamer is unsure how long that process will take.

"(We are) trying to get a diver in there to inspect it and see what may need repaired," he said. 

The fish ladder, when working properly, allows passage of fish around the Hepburn Street Dam in Williamsport so they can swim upriver past the structure. The passageway is managed by the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) out of its Tiadaghton office. 

There had been some public concern about debris blocking the structure in the past and impeding the free flow of fish upriver, including in the summer of 2022. 

“It’s very sad to see the fish ladder packed with hundreds of game fish and carp stuck inside concrete cells continuously trying to jump and squeeze up what small amount of water manages to actually enter the ladder,” said angler Mark Yeagle at the time. 

Shortly after concern from the public such as that from Yeagle, DCNR responded with an updated maintenance plan and improved cleaning schedule to keep the passageway moving more freely until the recent gate issue.

"There definitely has been a huge improvement in debris build-up since our exchange with them back in 2022," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association board president Michael Kinney. 

"I appreciate Luke Ulsamer's diligence to keeping this area cleaned up and his communication with us and transparency in reaching out to us about the broken gate issue blocking the passageway at the moment," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "Of course, any disruption in the flow of the river for the species that depend on it can be challenging, especially as we head into a time of migration for some of those species and spawning for others.

"Our association supports Luke and his team and any efforts to help get fish ladder fixed and back in operation as soon as possible."