By Will Clifford

The Bosher’s Dam Fishway.

Have you ever found yourself driving on the Willey Bridge and noticed a large, cement structure on the north bank of the James River? Personally, I’d always wondered what it was, and I was fortunate enough to find out on Saturday, May 4. It is the Bosher’s Dam Fishway, a passage that allows migratory fish, such as shad, herring, sea lampreys, and striped bass, among others, to access the James River above the Richmond Fall Line.

Bosher’s Dam, located below the Willey Bridge section of the Chippenham Parkway, has a rich history entwined with the city’s development and its relationship with the James River. Constructed in the early 19th century, the dam bears the name of its builder, Benjamin Bosher, who completed its construction in 1820. Bosher, a skilled millwright, erected the dam to power his gristmill and sawmill, tapping into the river’s hydraulic potential. This dam, while also helping power Richmond’s canal systems, blocked migratory fish from accessing the river above Richmond.

Over the years, Bosher’s Dam underwent several modifications and upgrades to meet the increasing demands of Richmond’s growing industries. Its resilience stood the test of time, surviving floods, storms, and the challenges of industrialization. However, as the city evolved and technologies advanced, the dam’s significance waned.

The vertical slots of the Bosher’s Dam Fishway.

In the late 20th century, concerns arose about the environmental impact of dams on river ecosystems. Efforts to restore the natural flow of rivers gained momentum, prompting discussions about the removal or modification of dams, including Bosher’s Dam. Environmental advocates, along with government agencies, recognized the importance of restoring river habitats and migratory pathways for fish species, so in the mid-1990s, the Bosher’s Dam Fishway project began.

Opened in 1999, the Fishway has a “vertical-slot” design that allows fish to swim upstream and over the dam at a 6.25% upward slope. The Fishway lets in 150 cubic feet of water every second, providing a strong flow into the James, which attracts spawning fish. The Fishway’s main purpose is to allow migratory fish, such as American shad, gizzard shad, smallmouth bass, quillback, longnose gar, and multiple catfish varieties, the opportunity to access the waters of the Middle and Upper James River.

On May 4, I was lucky enough to get to tour the Fishway with the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in celebration of World Fish Migration Day. If you know me, you know how much I appreciate the outdoors and the river, so when I was approached with the opportunity, I immediately signed up. Leading the tour was Alan Weaver, a Fish Passage Coordinator for the DWR. The tour began at the Roslyn Retreat Center off of River Road, approximately two miles from Collegiate. Although the weather was uncharacteristically chilly for Virginia in May, our group pushed through the cold, rainy conditions to get a hands-on experience with nature.

A smallmouth bass caught during the electrofishing survey.

After a quarter-mile walk through the woods, we were split into two groups. One would tour the Fishway, while one would view specimens from that morning’s electrofishing survey. Electrofishing is a method of humane fish surveying and studying, which uses long, low-voltage electric probes in the water to temporarily stun fish to allow for collection. I started with the electrofishing group, and we were lucky enough to view some beautiful fish, including a medium-sized longnose gar, a vibrantly patterned smallmouth bass, and a large flathead catfish. In total, our group was able to see a plethora of species, attesting to the incredible biodiversity found in the James River.

An electrofishing boat surveying the James River.

Our Fishway tour began on the side of the structure, with a sign that said, “If you fall in, you will die.” We all realized how powerful such a feature this was as we began walking along the slotted metal walkways. We began exploring the Fishway individually, carefully walking and spotting various fish make their way up through the 16 vertical slots. The gentleman next to me and I noticed quite a few different species, including a quillback and a rather large gar. Finally, we were able to tour the counting room, where employees at the DWR track all the fish that swim through the Fishway.

After touring the Fishway, I was grateful for all of the knowledge I had gained from Weaver and his staff. As someone deeply interested in nature, fishing, and hunting, the Fishway tour allowed me to learn more about the fish species inhabiting the James River and their migratory patterns. This experience gave me a renewed appreciation for the outdoors and all the species that reside there. According to Weaver, the Fishway normally hosts tours every few months, and you can sign up to join one on the DWR website. I highly recommend it for anyone with an interest in the rich natural history of our river ecosystems, or anyone who just simply wants to learn more about the history of our city.

All photos by Will Clifford.