Pocono News Section

Inflatable Dam: Dead In Water

Inflatable Dam: Dead In Water - Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 11:28PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 @11:28pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A Luzerne County authority Tuesday morning decided to drop an appeal to keep the inflatable dam project alive. "It'll be 10 to 15 percent less amazing than it would've been," Todd Vonderheid, CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, said about the river without the dam.

Vonderheid had vigorously pushed for the project, dating back to his days as a Luzerne County commissioner.

The dam would have created a lake-like atmosphere, allowing a sustained river depth suitable for boating, kayaking and a variety of other water-related recreation.

The dam had the backing of US Congressman Paul Kanjorski. The federal government had bankrolled a large portion of the project. In a statement to WBRE News, Rep. Kanjorski wrote "While it is personally disappointing to me, I am looking forward to other aspects of the riverfront development."

Two large portals have been under construction for months. They'll eventually allow for access to the waterfront. "We're still incredibly fortunate to have under construction what's under construction right now," Vonderheid said.

While the portals went hand-in-hand with the inflatable dam, both projects are considered independent of each other.