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In the United States, over 2 million small dams and other barriers block fish from reaching historic spawning grounds. These other barriers include culverts that are too small, perched too high above the streambed, or too steep to allow fish to swim through. Dams provide numerous benefits for modern society, including energy production and recreation, but many no longer serve their original purpose or have outlived their planned life expectancy; they now present safety hazards and liability risks to communities.
Removing the Smelt Hill dam on the Presumpscot River in Maine, opened five miles of river and restored habitat for many economically important fish species. |
More than 3,500 dams in the U.S. are unsafe due to structural deficiencies that make them more susceptible to failure. Removal of these barriers can yield significant environmental improvements as well as considerable economic and societal benefits.In 2005, NOAA created the Open Rivers Initiative to help provide communities with funding and guidance to complete barrier removal projects. The initiative is a competitive grant program focused on community-driven, small dam and river barrier removals in coastal states, with a goal of enhancing watershed health and fostering sustainable fish populations. The ORI focus is on implementing projects that will directly benefit migratory species such as salmon, sturgeon, shad, river herring, striped bass, and American eel. Projects under the initiative will also improve community vitality and public safety, and encourage economic growth.
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