Home / Environment / Rivers Reborn: US Dams Dismantled, Waterways Unlocked
Rivers Reborn: US Dams Dismantled, Waterways Unlocked
4 Sep
Summary
- In 2020, 69 dams were removed across 23 states, reopening hundreds of miles of waterways.
- Dam removals address obsolete structures, safety concerns, and fish passage restoration.
- Ecological restoration supports 126,000 jobs and contributes $25 billion annually to the US economy.
In 2020, a significant push saw 69 dams dismantled across 23 U.S. states, liberating hundreds of miles of previously obstructed rivers. This initiative addressed numerous factors, including structures that had outlived their purpose, mounting maintenance costs, and potential public safety risks.
The efforts continued unabated through the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating a persistent commitment to revitalizing aquatic ecosystems. Projects ranged from industrial dams in Indiana to those impacting salmon habitats in Washington.
The removal of these aging barriers is not only ecological but also economic. Ecological restoration efforts employ approximately 126,000 people nationwide and contribute around $25 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
Notable projects include opening 16 miles of salmon habitat on Washington's Middle Fork Nooksack River and restoring connectivity along 15 miles upstream and 21 miles downstream of New Hampshire's South Branch Gale River. In South Carolina, the Burson Lake Dam was removed due to damage, prioritizing safety and habitat restoration over costly repairs.
Indiana's Elkhart River Dam removal reconnected about 40 miles of upstream habitat, benefiting numerous fish species. These actions collectively reconnected 624 miles of river in 2020, underscoring a nationwide trend toward restoring natural waterways.
