Study opens floodgates on dam removal

Removing the Sandstone dam on the Kettle River in Minnesota opened 30 miles for fish migration and revived recreational opportunities in the area.

December 16, 1999
Web posted at: 2:22 p.m. EST (1922 GMT)

By Environmental News Network staff

Removing dams may be the best way to restore rivers, save tax dollars, revitalize riverside communities and improve public safety, according to a study released Monday.

The study, conducted by American Rivers, Trout Unlimited and Friends of the Earth, documents more than 465 dams that have been removed across the country, including 25 detailed cases.

Despite the growing national debate about dam removal, scant information about previous cases has been available to policy makers and the general public. The new report provides the most comprehensive review to date of the history and benefits of dam removal in the United States.

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The dams highlighted in the report were removed because their adverse impact on rivers and riverside communities outweighed their benefits. Many dams on the list impeded fish migration and degraded water quality. Others posed threats to public safety.

"We are not advocating the removal of all dams, only the removal of dams that don't make sense," said American Rivers spokesperson Elizabeth Maclin, who advocates that dam removals be evaluated on a "case by case basis. The report makes clear that dam removal is not appropriate for all or even most of the nation's dams.

Environmental groups estimate there are as many as 2 million dams across the country, including 75,000 dams higher than 6 feet. Less than 1 percent of these dams is currently under consideration for removal.

Dams offer a renewable energy source, providing the means for irrigation, transportation and flood protection. But many dams, especially those built during the Industrial Revolution, have outlived their usefulness.

Sarah Johnson, a small dams expert for Trout Unlimited, estimates that 25 percent of all dams in the United States are outdated. Because these dams can cause environmental damage, conservation groups say they should be removed.

"In certain cases dam removal is the best alternative from an economic standpoint as well," said Johnson. The report indicates that dam removal is often less costly than dam repair.

One such success story in the report is the removal of Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in Maine. Built in 1837, the 24-foot high dam was used to accommodate barges and power sawmills. When barges disappeared from the river in the mid-1800s and sawmills later closed, Edwards Dam no longer served a purpose. Removing the dam restored 17 miles of prime spawning and rearing habitat for migratory fish, and re-established numerous rapids for more recreation.

Similarly, the elimination of Sandstone Dam on the Kettle River in Minnesota opened 30 miles for fish migration and revived recreation in the area.

"We are hoping this study will in some small way help people feel more comfortable with the idea of removing a dam, and that more people will see it for what it is," Johnson said.

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