From Mills to Migratory Fish: Dam Removals Transform CT Rivers

Connecticut, boasting the nation's highest density of dams per river mile with 4,632 registered structures, is undertaking significant efforts to remove obsolete dams. These dams, remnants of the state's 19th-century industrial era, were primarily built for water power, supply, and flood control, purposes no longer necessary.

Organizations like Save the Sound have been instrumental since 2015 in demolishing outdated dams. These efforts aim to restore river habitats, which have been critically blocked, leading to water pollution and degradation. The Dana Dam removal in Wilton, completed in 2023 after two decades of advocacy, exemplifies this success.

Removing dams like Dana has reopened crucial upstream spawning and rearing habitats for diadromous fish such as alewife, blueback herring, and shad. These fish are ecologically vital, serving as a food source for wildlife both upstream and downstream, connecting freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.

The state's Dam Safety Regulatory Program oversees the 4,632 registered dams, classifying them by hazard risk. Currently, 271 are classified as high-hazard (Class C), requiring inspection every two years.

Looking ahead, Save the Sound plans to demolish the Kinneytown Dam in Seymour, built in 1844. This project, commencing next year and continuing through 2028, aims to restore passage for migratory fish along over 32 river miles of the Naugatuck River, marking a significant ecological restoration milestone.