Rhyne Mill Dam Removal Concept Plan – Request for Proposals

Introduction 

Catawba Lands Conservancy (“CLC”) is engaging an engineering firm (“Firm”) to submit proposals to provide preliminary designs and due-diligence to remove two low-head dams from the South Fork Catawba River (“Project”, See Attached Project Map).  

Hardcopy or digital proposals must be received by 5:00pm on Friday February 6, 2026, to the following address:  

Attn: Catherine Chapman
Catawba Lands Conservancy
2400 Park Road, Suite 1
Charlotte, NC 28203
info@catawbalands.org 

If you have any questions, please refer them to Catherine Chapman, at info@catawbalands.org by Friday, January 30, 2026. In addition to the materials provided in this RFP, applicants may schedule a visit to the Project Site with a CLC representative. All questions about the RFP and scheduling for a Project Site visit should be directed to Catherine Chapman at the email address above. 

CLC will select a Firm by February 20, 2026. The decision will be based on quality and cost of the bid. Successful firms will show working with other non-profit organizations, evidence of past success, and total proposed cost of the Project. Applicants will also be evaluated on their experience, qualifications, and resources to complete the Project successfully within an agreed timeframe. Preference is given to design-build firms. While CLC intends to select a Firm after evaluation of the proposals, CLC reserves the right not to proceed with the Project if it determines the Project is not in the best interests of CLC. 

Project Background 

The Project Site is part of the larger Historic Rhyne Conservation Area located on the South Fork Catawba River in Lincoln County. Specifically, the Project Site is located in the Catawba River Watershed (USGS HUC 12 030501020504) and identified as Lincoln County Parcel Identification Number 3622-81-8181. This conservation area includes two obsolete low-head dams, Rhyne Mills Dam #1 and Rhyne Mills Dam #2 which impound the South Fork Catawba River. The Rhyne Mills Dam #2 is included in the federally registered Laboratory Historic District and locally known as the Laboratory Dam. A public access trail, the South Fork Rail Trail, follows the South Fork Catawba River and passes both dams. Also located within the Project Site are populations of the following North Carolina listed species: Etheostoma thalassinum, Hexastylis naniflora, and Tradescantia virginiana. 

The landowner, Blake Conner, signed an agreement with CLC to remove the two dams located on his property. CLC is undertaking this work because it benefits the water quality and aquatic habitat, improves recreational paddling for the public, and restores the natural habitat on the banks of the South Fork Catawba River. However, the landowner will only agree to removing the dams if there is support from surrounding landowners and stakeholders. Therefore, CLC is seeking conceptual design and sediment analysis to support public outreach with area stakeholders. 

This is the first phase of CLC’s efforts to potentially remove these two dams. If CLC proceeds with removal, a second RFP will be issued to identify a design-build firm for that work. The Firm selected for this RFP is not guaranteed the subsequent work but will have preference. 

Project Scope 

The Project is intended to restore hydrologic connectivity and improve recreational paddling within the Project Site. The preferred approach to meet these two goals is removal of Rhyne Mills Dam #1 and #2. However, CLC will consider alternatives that meet these goals if necessary. The Project must be planned and designed consistent with the stream mitigation guidelines prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District; North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Natural Resource Conservation Service; and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as the latest mitigation monitoring guidance from the North Carolina Interagency Review Team available at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington website.   

The Project will include the following tasks:  

1. Data Collection: Gather and review all readily available data to evaluate dam removal feasibility and prepare a preliminary design. Available data should include online data, public records, and CLC provided records. Additionally, survey the site and surrounding area to identify existing structures, utilities, and rights-of-way that may be impacted by the dam removal. 

1. Data Analysis: Collect preliminary data to evaluate sediment depth, stream bed depth, and conduct a Tier 1 Sediment Analysis. With this information, evaluate the impact of both base and flood flow levels because of removal. Additionally, evaluate potential impacts to surrounding structures and streambank stability. 

1. Conceptual Design: Document the desired approach to removal, proposed project activities and construction access associated with activities. The Firm will provide a 15% conceptual design that will be used to solicit feedback from key stakeholders. The conceptual design should also include a narrative that addresses potential alternatives, cost estimate for eventual removal, potential concerns or project constraints, and a rendering of what the Project Site may look like after removal. 

Proposal Requirements 

• Applicant Background  

• Provide a written summary of applicant’s history, a list of personnel that will be involved with the Project including resumes and relevant work experience, and an organizational chart.  

• Provide three (3) examples of previous dam removal projects including maps, photographs, written summaries, and references. 

• Demonstrate experience working with non-profit conservation organizations such as Catawba Lands Conservancy, with references. 

• Demonstrate experience working with the NC State Historic Preservation Office and going through the Section 106 Review process. 

• Demonstrate ability to engage with the general public to discuss and inform stakeholders of dam removal benefits and process. 

• Project Description (or Plan) 

• Describe your plan for meeting the Project objective. 

• Describe any support needed from CLC staff for completion of this Project. 

• Project Schedule 

• Provide an estimated timetable for the Project, including estimated completion dates for the following benchmarks:  

• Complete Data Collection 

• Complete Sediment Analysis  

• Provide Initial Findings 

• Provide Final Conceptual Design 

• Budget 

• Provide an itemized budget with line items organized by task.