The flatrock river in south central indiana is a tributary to the east fork white river with a watershed area of 536 SQ MI and land use of 80% cultivated agriculture

This $265,000 Cooperative Agreement was awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, under the National Fish Passage Program (CFDA 15.685). The funding will support the Ecosystems Connections Institute, LLC, a woman-owned small business located in Indiana, to remove two low-head dams on the Flatrock River, a tributary to the East Fork White River. The dam removals will reconnect 141.3 stream miles and open 1.5 miles of new fish and mussel habitat currently inaccessible behind the dams. This work will improve aquatic connectivity, enhance fish passage, and increase ecological resilience within the Flatrock River watershed, which has been identified as an underserved, disadvantaged community. The project involves partnerships with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Lake and River Enhancement, the Sam Shine Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.

The remainder of the watershed is fragmented small riparian forests woodlots and some small towns. The upper part of the basin originates near new castle indiana and the river joins the east fork white river near columbus indiana. The stream is notable from a historical and cultural perspective and there were at one time five low head dams from columbus to greensburg. The two barriers proposed for removal are in geneva in at river mile 27.4 and river mile 27.6. Removal of these barriers will reconnect 141.3 stream miles above the dams and open 1.5 miles of new fish and mussel habitat that is currently in the pool behind the dams. The flatrock river is within the habitat range of several important aquatic species and upland species and according to the united states climate and economic assessment tool and the environmental protection agency environmental justice website shelby county indiana and the location of both the upstream and downstream dams is considered a disadvantaged overburdened and underserved community. Removal of the upstream DAM is fully supported by the owners and there is no recorded owner of the downstream DAM. Removal of both dams will improve safety for recreational use of the stream and improve fish passage. There have been multiple deaths and injuries at both dams. Funding partners include indiana department of natural resources lake and river enhancment SAM shine foundation and the nature conservancy.