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60 Dams in 9 States to Come Out in 2001
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Lead the Way
ams have a long history in America. In fact, since the nation declared
its independence in 1776, it has built more than one dam per day to
run mills, control floods, create water supplies, and to generate
electricity.
ut as the author of the Declaration of Independence realized, damming
rivers has unfortunate consequences and that sometimes removing them
is the best thing to do. During a debate in 1816 over navigation in
the infant nation, dam owner Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I am
ready to cut my dam in any place, and at any moment requisite, so
as to remove that impediment, if it be thought one, and to leave those
interested to make the most of the natural circumstances of the place."
ne hundred seventy five years after Jefferson's death on July 4th,
1826, dam removal is a river restoration tool that is picking up steam.
Almost 40 dams in 9 states are scheduled for removal in 2001. Pennsylvania
and Wisconsin have the largest number of removals planned -each state
with more than 10 obsolete or unsafe dams coming out. California,
Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Washington,
have also removed one or more dams. "Communities often don't
realize the negative impacts that dams have on rivers and are pleasantly
surprised by the benefits that can result when dams are removed,"
said Elizabeth Maclin, who helps communities remove dams that cause
more harm than good as Associate Director of American Rivers' Dam
Program.
ams
provide many community benefits, but they come at a price — drowning
valuable habitat under reservoirs, blocking the annual migrations
of fish, and creating downstream conditions inhospitable for fish
and wildlife. Communities that choose to restore their rivers by pulling
out dams that no longer make sense can enjoy a number of benefits-reduced
liability and upkeep expenses, improving water quality and fishing
opportunities, and recovering habitat that is attractive for wildlife
and parks. "Shortly after a dam is removed, flowing water will
often become clearer and sweep muck from the river bottom to reveal
a rock and gravel streambed," said Scott Carney with the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission, who has helped Amish farmers remove more
than a dozen small dams. "You can see the changes the river
right away and there's a lot of satisfaction knowing that riverine
fishes and other aquatic species will benefit from improved habitat."
 odd
Ambs agreed with the River Alliance of Wisconsin — "Having
a chunk of concrete in the river does it no favors". Ambs
pointed to a reservoir in downtown Baraboo, Wisconsin, which was choked
with algae, often smelled bad, and was home to just 11 species of
fish. With the dam removed, smallmouth bass and 23 other fish species
are found in the river and a downtown revitalization is underway along
the newly attractive waterfront.
ach successful removal is a compelling story of a handful of dedicated
individuals and communities who persist and overcome such obstacles
as lack of funds, technical complications, bureaucratic tangles, controversy,
and even uncooperative weather. For example, one Trout Unlimited member
in Wisconsin purchased a large tract of land containing more than
a dozen small dams. The organization then worked to secure funding
to restore the streams and remove the dams, and sold the property
to the state for use as a wildlife management area. The state intends
to stock native brook trout in the streams and the area is open for
public use.
 ll
parties agree that strong support from state governments is crucial-but
can pay off handsomely. Following removal of more than 40 small dams
in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River watershed, the American shad fishery
is rebounding and will be worth an estimated $30 million each year
for the state once restoration is complete.
he
nation's rapidly aging dam infrastructure suggests that this movement
won't be winding down anytime soon. Holding back many tons of water
is hard work, and the average dam can wear out in 50 years or so.
By the year 2020, 85 percent of U.S. dams will be more than 50 years
old, and although many of these aging dams provide diminishing benefits,
they continue to damage the river as before and can pose increasing
risks to downstream communities. According to the National Performance
of Dams Program at Stanford University, more than 1,000 dams have
completely or partially failed in the last two years alone.
Related links:
 American
Rivers Dam Removal Tool Kit
Watershed
Weekly Presents: Relief for the Little Lehigh
Watershed
Weekly Presents: Let's Take it Out! The Removal of the Manatawny
Dam
Dams
Being Removed from Pa's Waterways
Additional
Resources
More information: For local contacts for each river, contact
Eric Eckl at (202) 347-7550 ext. 3023, or point your browser to: http://damremoval.americanrivers.org
Thank you to American Rivers for contributing this valuable information,
and for agreeing to share it on Watershed Weekly's "National Watersheds".
Be sure to check out their website at www.AmericanRivers.org
for valuable river related information. And be sure to tune into Watershed
Weekly next month for a new national watershed feature.
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