Recent discussions regarding fish passage and dam removal of the Vermilion River Dam took an "explosive" turn when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mentioned the possibility of using the dam removal as a military training exercise and, literally, blowing up the dam.

However, this was just one small part of a larger discussion on how to address the aging dam in Danville, IL that blocks fish passage to about 1,100 miles of stream and has also claimed several lives due to drowning, three in the past 10 years alone. 

Project Leader Rob Simmonds met with representatives from the City of Danville, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn’s Office, Illinois DNR, Illinois EPA, U.S. Geological Survey, and others to discuss the problem and solutions, but primarily steps the city would need to go through and possible funding sources to deal with the Vermilion River Dam. 

Like many dams, this one is deteriorating and no longer serves its intended purpose.  The Vermilion River is a tributary to the Wabash River which is the longest river without a dam, east of the Mississippi. 

The Vermilion River watershed is also a favorite for canoeist and others who can enjoy the only Illinois-designated Wildland Scenic River (Middle Fork of the Vermilion River).  Lt. Governor Quinn’s Office (represented at this meeting by Marc Miller) and City of Danville Mayor Eisenhauer are committed to seeing this problem addressed and were both very impressed and appreciative of all the interest, support, and good ideas generated from the meeting.