The Stevenson Dam on Route 34 connects Monroe to Oxford.
OXFORD – The following information is from FirstLight, the owner of the Stevenson Dam. It was sent the evening of Aug. 21.
“Beginning tomorrow, August 22nd, FirstLight will begin releasing debris that has collected between the boat barrier and the Stevenson Dam through the dam’s sluice gates.
To support the public’s ability to recreate on the river, we will avoid passing debris Friday through Sunday.
It is essential for FirstLight to begin this effort before the presence of excessive debris affects the water passageways and necessitates a larger, uncontrolled release.
In addition, Housatonic River flows have returned to pre-storm levels, so that released debris will be traveling slowly, which will avoid further damage along the riverbanks.
The release of debris over the sluice gates of the dam is a normal practice and regular occurrence throughout the year in this active river system.
FirstLight contractors will continue working to remove larger, man-made and woody debris above the Stevenson Dam to prevent it from going over the dam.
In coordination with the Town of Monroe, FirstLight is working to stockpile the recovered man-made debris like docks and water vessels at the former Monroe Town Beach just upstream of the Monroe Boat Launch.
Affected residents should plan to recover their belongings from that area.”
