Vermont Dam Removal Restores 87 Miles of Fish Passage

An obsolete dam in Vermont, constructed in the early 1900s to supply a private trout fishing pond, has been removed to restore vital fish passage. The Killooleet Dam, situated on the Hancock Branch of the White River, was severely damaged by floods, with Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 causing a significant breach. Although the structure was largely destroyed, remaining concrete fragments continued to constrict the waterway, impeding fish movement and preventing the stream from accessing its floodplain.

Recognizing the need for action, the 2015 Upper and Middle White River Watershed Corridor Plan identified dam removal as a high-priority project. In 2018, the White River Partnership, in collaboration with property owner Kate Seeger and engineering firm Ripple Natural Resources, successfully removed the remaining concrete obstructions. This was followed by the construction of three rock weirs along a 500-foot stretch of the stream, designed to improve habitat diversity and reconnect the stream with its floodplain.

The completed restoration project has reopened an impressive 87 miles of stream to fish passage, encompassing 36 miles upstream and 51 miles downstream of the former dam site. This critical reconnection allows aquatic species to move freely along the river system, accessing essential feeding and spawning grounds, thereby enhancing the overall health and biodiversity of the watershed.