The Winnicut Dam Removal in Greenland, New Hampshire is one of 50 high priority, high quality coastal restoration projects chosen by NOAA for funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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In 2007, the owners of the Winnicut Dam - the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department - decided to remove the dam after an extensive study determined that its removal would be the best option. It is the last remaining barrier on the mainstem of the Winnicut River and its removal effort, which also includes the installation of a fish passage structure upstream, will open more than 39 miles of upstream habitat for migratory fish such as alewives, blueback herring, and American eel.

Coastal Restoration at Work

In February 2009, NOAA received $167 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to restore coastal habitat, support thousands of jobs, and help jumpstart the nation’s economy. Using a competitive process, the agency selected 50 high quality, high priority projects to restore wetlands, salt marsh, oyster and coral reefs, as well as remove fish passage barriers on coastal rivers and streams. In addition to improving the environment, these efforts will restore fisheries and support more resilient coasts in the face of climate change.

Winnicut River Restoration Partners

Funding and resources for the $1.2 million total project cost has come from many federal, state, and non-profit sources, including New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , New Hampshire Coastal Program at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Coastal Conservation Association, and the N.H. Charitable Foundation, the N.H. Mooseplate Grant Program. For more information about the Winnicut River Dam, contact Eric Hutchins of the NOAA Restoration Center at eric.hutchins@noaa.gov or 978-281-9313.

In addition, please visit:

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services