INDIANAPOLIS — A deadly dam in Indianapolis will be removed after two more people died after going over it.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a $750,000 National Fish Passage Program grant to the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works to fully remove the Emrichsville Dam.
“This project will include the full removal of Emrichsville Dam, an approximately 250-foot long and 8-foot tall dam in the West Fork White River in Indianapolis, Indiana. Removal of this barrier will provide unrestricted fish passage, ecological resilience, mitigate effects of climate change, increase safe recreational fishing, provide economic development, and improve safe recreational uses of the river," the announcement reads.
The news comes after two kayakers lost their lives after going over the damn on April 16.
(NOTE: The above video is from a previous report on the deaths of two kayakers after going over the dam.)
The coroner's office confirmed 30-year-old Marcus Robinson and 22-year-old Solomon Shirley drowned.
The group Friends of the White River had recently installed more signage north of the dam to alert people.
In 2021, a 17-year-old died after going over the same dam in a canoe.
“It’s something we are trying to warn people about. Avoid these low-head dams. Don’t plan on going over them. They are not rapids. They are not fun,” said Scott Salmon, executive director for Friends of the White River.
It is not yet clear when work to remove the Emrichsville Dam will begin or how long it will take.