New Albany City Council takes action to make Silver Creek Dam safer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The same dam debate has continued in New Albany, where city officials are trying to address safety concerns about the Silver Creek Landing Dam.

In a unanimous vote, the city council decided to put up signs and other safety measures warning people about the dangers of swimming in the creek, making the area safer – after 14-year-old Andre Edwards Jr. drowned in May.

“If a sign saying ‘Stay off the dam’ and pointing out how dangerous it is stops even one person, one child, from going out, then it’s worth it,” said New Albany City Councilwoman Louise Gohmann.

Council members allocated up to $10,000 for additional security measures.

There is already a sign at the dam in memory of Andre, asking people not to play on the dam or swim in it.

“There’s nothing to warn you that there’s a risk you could get hurt,” said Linda Dunn of New Albany.

WAVE News met Linda as she walked to the creek with her two dogs. Her 14-year-old son accompanied her. She believes signs will not stop children.

“It’s still going to happen,” she said. “If you put up a sign, they’re not going to listen. They’re kids, and they’re going to do it anyway.”

Solutions were presented by city engineer Larry Summers and a designer at the council meeting on Monday evening.

“So what happens with the project change is we lose that feedback,” said Chris Kauffman of design firm EGIS.

Summers and Kauffman’s presentation compared solutions used in Indiana and other parts of the country, with costs running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Some residents of the creek, such as Scott Burch, also expressed opposition because they fear a loss of value for their properties and recreational opportunities in the area.

“If this tragedy is the primary reason for your decision to destroy the dam, is that fair to the thousands of people who have safely used this area?” Burch said.

Nevertheless, the council unanimously passed a resolution calling for a plan to demolish the dam and/or put in place safety measures. An earlier resolution in 2022 was ignored by the River Heritage Conservancy, which has not yet responded to WAVE’s request for comment.

“The smartest thing to do is tear the dam down,” said New Albany City Councilman Scott Blair. “I don’t know why we would spend money, time and risk on the dam, so I think it just has to go.”

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