New Hampshire's Dam Removal and River Restoration Program

New Hampshire’s s Dam Removal and RiverRestoration ProgramCeremonial Breaching of McGoldrick DamAshuelot River, New HampshirePhoto: NH DES Dam Bureau

The River Restoration ProgramAssists…Dam OwnersGeneral PublicGovernment AgenciesConsulting Community… with information about dam removal, such as• basics about dam removal & river restoration• the latest research and available resources• appropriate methods for a specific site… in obtaining funding to offset costs of damremoval and associated work… throughout the planning, decision-making andregulatory process

N.H. River Restoration TaskForceInitiated in January 2000A public-private collaboration restoringrivers and eliminating safety hazardsthrough selective dam removal.Goal: An efficient and effective processfor removing dams and restoring riversOperates at both statewide and projectspecificlevels

GOVERNMENT AGENCIESNational Oceanic andAtmospheric AdministrationRestoration CenterU.S. Army Corps of EngineersU.S. Department of Agriculture,Natural Resource ConservationServiceU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgencyU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. National Park ServiceN.H. Department ofEnvironmental ServicesNON-PROFIT GROUPSAmerican RiversAshuelot River Local AdvisoryCommitteeCoastal ConservationAssociationColdwater Fisheries CoalitionConnecticut River WatershedCouncilConservation Law FoundationMerrimack Valley PaddlersN.H. Rivers CouncilTrout UnlimitedThe Nature ConservancyN.H. Fish and GameDepartmentN.H. Office of EmergencyManagementState Historic PreservationOffice

Major Accomplishments toDateDeveloped a one-stop state permitting processfor dam removal.Ten dams removed.Two dam removals planned this summer. Morein the design and permitting phases.Development of a Guidebook to RegulatoryRequirements for Dam Removal Projects.Raised more than $1 million to fund projects.

McGoldrick DamRemovalAshuelot River,Hinsdale, N.H.July 2001Governor Shaheen breaches the damGovernor Shaheen and NH DES Dam Maintenance Crew membersPhotos: NH DES Dam Bureau

WinchesterDam RemovalAshuelot RiverWinchester,N.H.Cost - $31,400Funded by several federaland state agencies, andfoundation support.Removed July 2002

West Henniker Dam,Contoocook RiverHenniker, N.H.Removed, Summer 2004Height – 10 feet, Length – 140 feetRestored 15 miles of river tofree-flowingProject cost:

October 13, 2004

August 2008Merrimack Village Dam - Merrimack, NH

February 2009Maxwell Pond Dam - Manchester, NH

Homestead WoolenMill DamWest Swanzey, NHWinnicut River DamGreenland, NH

Program StrengthsDam Safety Office is the first place many people look forinformation. Cross-pollination of dam safety engineers andmulti-disciplinary program – learning a lot fromeach other.Program takes a “consultant approach.” The applicant and community are seen as the clientduring the planning process.Of course, we must take the regulatory approach whennecessary.DES Dam Maintenance Crew serves as an in-housecontractor. Learning the most effective approaches first-handbecause the agency is doing some of the removals.

Historic Resource ReviewProgram has collaborated with State HistoricPreservation Office to create Generalized Guidelines forstudying dam removal projects.National Historic Preservation Act lessons:It’s critical to involve historic resource interests early andthroughout the process.Canal Systems Milling History Timber Crib ConstructionPhotos: NH DES Dam Bureau

Deborah LoiselleRiver Restoration Coordinator(603) 271-3406Deborah.Loiselle@des.nh.govwww.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dam/damremoval/index.htm.htm