Fairmount Park Fish Ladder
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of the most complex projects of its time was the Fairmount Dam Fish Ladder, completed by A.P. Construction, Inc. in 1979. The goal of the underwater concrete edifice was to create a passageway via structural “steps” for migrating fish, such as shad and bass, to bypass the force of the dam’s falling water. The Fairmount Fish Ladder makes it possible for the fish to complete their journey to the upper reaches of the Schuylkill River to spawn.
To offset the force of the falling water, A.P. constructed a coffer dam system at the base of the falls which allowed the forming of cast-in-place concrete “steps.” Once through the labyrinth arrangement, the fish pass the observation tank-room, where they can be monitored and viewed. Their travels end up at the reaches of the spawning and foraging areas upstream.
Client | Fairmount Park Commission
Location | Fairmount Park / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
