NewNew HampshireHampshire ’’ss DamDam RemovalRemoval andand RiverRiver RestorationRestoration ProgramProgram

Ceremonial Breaching of McGoldrick Dam , Photo: NH DES Dam Bureau TheThe RiverRiver RestorationRestoration ProgramProgram AssistsAssists …… Dam Owners General Public Government Agencies Consulting Community … with information about dam removal, such as • basics about dam removal & river restoration • the latest research and available resources • appropriate methods for a specific site

… in obtaining funding to offset costs of dam removal and associated work

… throughout the planning, decision-making and regulatory process N.H.N.H. RiverRiver RestorationRestoration TaskTask ForceForce InitiatedInitiated inin JanuaryJanuary 20002000 A public-private collaboration restoring rivers and eliminating safety hazards through selective dam removal.

Goal: An efficient and effective process for removing dams and restoring rivers

Operates at both statewide and project- specific levels GOVERNMENT AGENCIES National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NON-PROFIT GROUPS Restoration Center American Rivers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee U.S. Department of Agriculture, Coastal Conservation Natural Resource Conservation Association Service Coldwater Fisheries Coalition U.S. Environmental Protection Watershed Agency Council Conservation Law Foundation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Merrimack Valley Paddlers U.S. Geological Survey N.H. Rivers Council Trout Unlimited U.S. National Park Service The Nature Conservancy N.H. Department of Environmental Services

N.H. Fish and Game Department

N.H. Office of Emergency Management

State Historic Preservation Office MajorMajor AccomplishmentsAccomplishments toto DateDate

Developed a one-stop state permitting process for dam removal.

Ten dams removed.

Two dam removals planned this summer. More in the design and permitting phases.

Development of a Guidebook to Regulatory Requirements for Dam Removal Projects.

Raised more than $1 million to fund projects. Governor Shaheen breaches the dam McGoldrick Dam Removal Ashuelot River, Hinsdale, N.H. July 2001

Governor Shaheen and NH DES Dam Maintenance Crew members Photos: NH DES Dam Bureau WinchesterWinchester DamDam RemovalRemoval AshuelotAshuelot RiverRiver Winchester,N.HWinchester,N.H ..

Cost - $31,400 Funded by several federal and state agencies, and foundation support. Removed July 2002 West Henniker Dam, Henniker, N.H.

Removed, Summer 2004

Photos: NH DES Dam Bureau Height – 10 feet, Length – 140 feet

Restored 15 miles of river to free-flowing

Project cost: <$160,000 October 13, 2004

August 2008 Merrimack Village Dam - Merrimack, NH

February 2009 Maxwell Pond Dam - Manchester, NH

Homestead Woolen Mill Dam West Swanzey, NH

Winnicut River Dam Greenland, NH ProgramProgram StrengthsStrengths

Dam Safety Office is the first place many people look for information.  Cross-pollination of dam safety engineers and multi-disciplinary program – learning a lot from each other.

Program takes a “consultant approach.”  The applicant and community are seen as the client during the planning process.

Of course, we must take the regulatory approach when necessary.

DES Dam Maintenance Crew serves as an in-house contractor.  Learning the most effective approaches first-hand because the agency is doing some of the removals. HistoricHistoric ResourceResource ReviewReview Program has collaborated with State Historic Preservation Office to create Generalized Guidelines for studying dam removal projects.

National Historic Preservation Act lessons: It’s critical to involve historic resource interests early and throughout the process. Canal Systems Milling History Timber Crib Construction

Photos: NH DES Dam Bureau DeborahDeborah LoiselleLoiselle River Restoration Coordinator (603) 271-3406 Deborah.Loiselle @[email protected] www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dam/damremoval/index .htm