69 Dams Removed in 2020 to Restore Rivers American Rivers releases annual list including dams in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin for a total of 23 states. Nationwide, 1,797 dams have been removed from 1912 through 2020. Dam removal brings a variety of benefits to local communities, including restoring river health and clean water, revitalizing fish and wildlife, improving public safety and recreation, and enhancing local economies. Working in a variety of functions with partner organizations throughout the country, American Rivers contributed financial and technical support in many of the removals. Contact information is provided for dam removals, if available. For further information about the list, please contact Jessie Thomas-Blate, American Rivers, Director of River Restoration at 202.347.7550 or [email protected]. This list includes all dam removals reported to American Rivers (as of February 10, 2021) that occurred in 2020, regardless of the level of American Rivers’ involvement. Inclusion on this list does not indicate endorsement by American Rivers. Dams are categorized alphabetically by state. Beale Dam, Dry Creek, California A 2016 anadromous salmonid habitat assessment stated that migratory salmonids were not likely accessing habitat upstream of Beale Lake due to the presence of the dam and an undersized pool and weir fishway. In 2020, Beale Dam, owned by the U.S. Air Force, was removed and a nature-like fishway was constructed at the upstream end of Beale Lake to address the natural falls that remain a partial barrier following dam removal. This project will provide upstream passage of salmonids to Spenceville Wildlife Area, which has the most suitable water temperature conditions for summer steelhead rearing in Dry Creek. The dam was 12 feet high and 165 feet long, built in 1943, and made of concrete. Contact: Paul Cadrett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 209-649-0898, [email protected] Roy’s Dam, San Geronimo Creek, California By removing a 100-year-old dam and 20-year-old fish ladder on the former San Geronimo Valley golf course that was limiting the migration of endangered coho salmon and creating poor habitat conditions for other aquatic species, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network created a free-flowing 250-feet long new creek channel where the former dam was. Coupled with more work next year, the project will restore a total of five acres of creek floodplain habitat across a quarter-mile long of San Geronimo Creek. In addition to providing critical habitat for young salmon the project will create valuable habitat for terrestrial wildlife and increase the amount of trees for nesting birds. A new, 100-foot pedestrian bridge was installed over the creek to provide safe fish viewing over a wider, more complex and stable creek channel. Contact: Preston Brown , Turtle Island Restoration Network, 303-877-0880, [email protected] York Dam, York Creek, California This project included the partial removal of the Upper York Creek Dam (UYCD) and armoring of the new streambank adjacent to the existing spillway and roadway, excavation of a low flow "pilot" channel in sediments impounded by the dam, disposal of sediment to an upland location(s), and construction of approximately 36 log structures downstream of the dam to capture a portion of the remaining impounded sediment released from upstream of the dam during storm events. The long-term outcomes of the project are expected to have positive impacts on federally-listed species and other wildlife. This earthen dam (24 feet high by 225 feet long) was owned by the City of St. Helena, California. Contact: Brian Bartell, Whitman, Requardt and Associates, 415-524-7588, [email protected] Slocomb Pond Dam, Roaring Brook, Connecticut In October 2020, the 12 feet high by 82 feet long Slocomb Pond Dam was removed from Roaring Brook in Connecticut. The Town of Glastonbury removed this former mill dam that was built in 1939. This project involved the removal of an Ambursen spillway, and the excavation/removal of some impounded sediment. Benefits of the project included: improved fish passage for resident species and sea lamprey (there are natural falls downstream), restored sediment transport, improved water quality, and improved public safety (part of town park). Project partners also expect new fishing opportunities at the site. Contact: Daniel A. Pennington, Town of Glastonbury, 860-652-7736, daniel.pennington@glastonbury- ct.gov Fort Dodge Hydroelectric Dam, Des Moines River, Iowa This 17 feet high by 366 feet long hydropower dam, built around 1917, was removed by the City of Fort Dodge in 2020. The project improved river integrity by preventing future degradation, restored natural in- stream habitat conditions, and aimed to meet the designated uses for the river. Contact: Snyder and Associates, 1-888-964-2020 Springbrook Marsh Dam #1 (Arrow Road Dam\Dragon Lake Wetland), Spring Creek #1, Illinois This small (4 feet high by 35 feet long) concrete weir was constructed in 1983. Its removal reconnected nearly 4 miles of habitat, increased river sinuosity, built pool and riffle sequences, increased stream and floodplain connectivity, built adjacent wetland, increased the percentage of riverbed covered with sand and gravel, improved aeshetic appeal and increased recreation opportunities. Contact: Stephen McCracken, Dupage River Salt Creek Workgroup, 630-428-4500, x 118, [email protected] Elkhart River Dam, Elkhart River, Indiana The Elkhart River Dam, an approximately 8-foot-tall low-head dam, was built around 1890 to increase the elevation of the river to divert water into raceways that were used to power industry in downtown Elkhart, Indiana. Over time as development occurred, these raceways filled and the dam no longer served a purpose. The dam gave rise to the name of Waterfall Drive, the street located adjacent to the former dam. The former dam was located approximately one-half mile upstream of the Elkhart River’s confluence with the St. Joseph River. With the Elkhart River being the largest tributary of the St. Joseph River, this dam served as a significant barrier to fish migrating out of the St. Joseph River. The dam’s removal reconnected 40 miles of upstream habitat, allowed for the recolonization of 16 species of fish in the Elkhart River and population integration for approximately 50 fish species, including endangered or threatened species (e.g., greater redhorse, longnose dace, and northern brook lamprey). Contact: Daragh Deegan, City of Elkhart, 574-293-2572, [email protected] Horseshoe Pond Dam, Weweantic River, Massachusetts This project involving a small (6 feet high by 45 feet long) 1800s era mill dam included the removal of a concrete spillway, notching of a legacy earthen dam, habitat enhancement for rainbow smelt, creation of two canoe launches, filling of the raceway to convert to an access trail, access trail improvements, scour protection of bridge abutments, and bridge improvements for pedestrian safety. Contacts: Sara N. da Silva Quintal, Buzzards Bay Coalition, 508-999-6363 x 225, [email protected]; Paul Woodworth, Princeton Hydro, 860-652-8911, [email protected] Middle Bog Dam, Coonamessett River, Massachusetts Phase Two of the Coonamessett River Bog Restoration and Culvert Replacement Project included the removal of Middle Bog Dam and restoration of 39 acres of wetlands by removing former commercial cranberry bogs. In addition, three failing culverts were replaced with a large box culvert to allow migratory fish to access their upstream habitat, including the 158-acre Coonamessett Pond. Contact: Steve Fuller, SumCo Eco-Contracting, 978-744-1516, [email protected] Petersons Pond Dam, Third Herring Brook, Massachusetts The removal of the Petersons Pond Dam reconnected 1.3 miles of instream habitat for migratory and native fish and concluded a broader restoration project involving the removal of three dams on Third Herring Brook. The goal of the project was to reconnect the stream to the headwaters at Jacobs Pond, which would result in a total of 9.7 miles of stream opened between the three dam removals and access to 59 acres of habitat. Historically, Third Herring Brook housed a very large run of river herring, hence its name, but was dammed in the early 1600s. This project will improve resiliency of the river to the effects of climate change, including increased storm and flood risks. Other benefits include: improved water quality via sediment transportation and base flow hydrology, reduced thermal pollution, improved habitat connectivity, improved public safety, and eliminated liability and maintenance costs. The work at the Peterson Pond Dam is intended to create a controlled breach of the structure which will prevent permanent re-impoundment of the pond and therefore address certain dam safety deficiencies at the existing dam embankment. The breaching of the dam will be through its full height such that the new river channel is within natural foundation material. Some portions of the existing embankment dam beyond the new channel and overbanks, including masonry structures with historic significance, will remain and be preserved. Contacts: Steve Fuller, SumCo Eco-Contracting, 978-744-1515, [email protected]; Joseph Gould, MA Division of Ecological