Case Studies
Open Rivers Initiative
Removal of the West Henniker Dam in July 2004 (seen here in before and after shots) opened up a half-mile of stream habitat on the Contoocook River in New Hampshire.
Over 2 million small dams block the life-preserving passage of migratory fish in U.S. streams and rivers. Dams provide numerous benefits for modern society, but they also contribute to the overall degradation occurring in estuaries, deltas, and river environments. With a life expectancy of about 50 years, scores of dams have outlived their usefulness--dilapidated and decrepit they have become a safety hazard and liability risk to communities. Meanwhile, these dams and aging culverts continue to block fish from their natal spawning grounds.
Many communities and private landowners want to remove dams they own, but often lack the resources to do so. The Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) is designed to help where funding is an issue. By providing grants to help remove these derelict barriers, the ORI aims to initiate an environmental
and economic renewal in local communities.
Click here for a factsheet on the Open Rivers Initiative.
Click here for a press release on the announcement of the Open Rivers Initiative at the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation.
Click here for Admiral Lautenbacher's remarks to Cooperative Conservation Conference.
Dam Removal Success Stories
The NOAA Restoration Center has experience in removing obsolete and derelict stream barriers. Using a community-based model, NOAA has removed
more than 80 dams and stream blockages, opening
700 miles of high quality river habitat for migratory fish.
Below are a few success stories.
John Smith Creek Culvert Removal--Mendocino County, California
In 2002, NOAA partnered with Mendocino Redwood Company, Trout Unlimited, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the California Conservation Corps to fix fish passage problems on John Smith Creek. The project restored habitat for endangered and threatened migratory fish while maintaining an economically important road structure.
Mt. Scott Creek Dam Removal--Happy Valley, Oregon
Miles of high-quality fish habitat in the Mt. Scott watershed have been blocked by dams and culverts constructed over the years. In 2002 NOAA worked with partners to remove a 30-year old earthen dam and reconstruct a stream channel, which provides habitat for spawning steelhead, coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and pacific lamprey. Fish surveys performed in 2003 indicate that fish use above the former dam has already increased.
Steele’s Mill Dam Removal--Rockingham, North Carolina
NOAA, in partnership with the city of Rockingham, the North Carolina Department of Water Resources, and other resource agencies, is conducting a design and engineering study to assess the feasibility of removing the Steele’s Mill Dam. Removing this 110 year old dam will open approximately 15 miles of quality river habitat for migrating fish.
Wyomissing Creek Dam Removal--Reading, Pennsylvania
In 2004, NOAA joined American Rivers, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Reading Museum to remove two dams that have been blocking fish passage on Wyomissing Creek for nearly 80 years. The project restored habitat for wild brown trout, blueback herring, and American shad;and improved a natural and cultural resource for the citizens of Reading.
Town Brook Dam Removal and Fish Ladder--Plymouth, Massachusetts
In the 1790s, six dams were constructed on Town Brook, contributing to declines in anadromous fish populations. In an effort to save dwindling fish runs, with NOAA support, the town of Plymouth replaced a failing fish ladder at the Newfield Street Dam and entirely removed the Billington Street Dam. The projects will allow alewives and blueback herring to reach historic spawning grounds and will restore habitat for resident fish and birds.
Sennebec Dam Removal--Union, Maine
In 1916, the construction of Sennebec Dam blocked fish passage to over half of the 440 square mile St. George River watershed. In 2002, NOAA joined Trout Unlimited and other partners to remove the Sennebec dam, which was the last man-made barrier for anadromous fish on the river. With the dam removed, fish can now access 17 additional miles of the St. George River as well as 1100 acres of lake habitat in upstream Sennebec Pond and Quantabacook Lake.
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