Collaborating with the Schuylkill River Greenways on the Douglassville Bridge Log Jam and Debris Removal Project

Lewis Environmental recently completed the removal of more than 1,200 cubic yards of trees and debris which had accumulated on the Schuylkill River at the base of the Douglassville bridge. This crossing, a former railroad bridge, serves as an important connector along the Schuylkill River Trail, managed by Schuylkill River Greenways.

Douglassville Bridge Log Jam and Debris Removal

Lewis Environmental recently completed the removal of more than 1,200 cubic yards of trees and debris which had accumulated on the Schuylkill River at the base of the Douglassville bridge. This crossing, a former railroad bridge, serves as an important connector along the Schuylkill River Trail, managed by Schuylkill River Greenways.

Lewis’ highly skilled personnel utilized specialized equipment to access the debris which had been accumulating for more than six years. Storm activity and natural shaping of the river caused the accumulation, which created a safety concern for navigating this section of river along with potential structural concerns with the debris resting along the base of the bridge. The bridge’s narrow spans serve as a trap for logs and other debris. Lewis Environmental last removed a similar buildup of debris in 2018.

Debris and sediment were dense enough to support the weight of mechanical excavation equipment to access the area for the removal. Utilizing grapple equipped excavators, an articulating dump truck, and a track mounted horizontal tree grinder, Lewis worked to remove the wood and sediment from the river to open several bridge spans. In the end, Lewis removed more than 1,200 cubic yards of debris from the area. The collected trees, limbs, and logs were mechanically ground and stockpiled for later use by an adjacent landowner. Removed sediment and decomposed trees were also stockpiled onsite.

To ensure loose debris did not migrate downstream, Lewis deployed containment boom prior to the project. The boom was removed only after all debris had been successfully removed from the bridge area.

The project was completed in collaboration with the Schuylkill River Greenways. The mission of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development in order to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage. Lewis Environmental is a proud, long-term supporter of the Schuylkill River Greenways and its mission.

Community support and environmental stewardship are at the core of our culture. Working on projects like this, we are reminded of the importance of collaboration and the powerful impact nonprofits such as the Schuylkill River Greenways have on our communities and quality of life. Their tireless efforts to protect and promote the Schuylkill River inspire us, and we are honored to support their mission.

We encourage everyone to learn more about Schuylkill River Greenways and consider how you can contribute to preserving our natural resources. Together, we can ensure that the Schuylkill River remains a thriving and vibrant part of our community for generations to come.