News 
20th August 2011
US river set to flow freely for the first time in 50 years
A dam which divides a river in Franklin, Tennessee, is set to be removed, allowing native fish to swim upstream and flourish for the first time in 50 years.
The Harpeth River will flow along its entire 125 mile path after state funding was allocated to reconnect the river, allowing the wildlife to swim upstream for food and the removal of stagnating water downstream which had no natural place to go.
The dam is used to provide a supplement supply of drinking water for the county; however Environment and Conservation officials have ruled that the benefit of removing the dam outweighs that. Other provisions including creating special collection pools of water will still provide a supply of water without the need to split the river.
Biologists are hailing the decision as a positive move for the benefit of the environment and the wildlife of the river, encouraging a greater diversity of fish as they will be able to swim the entire length of the river, whilst also encouraging fisherman and canoeists to the area.