New Hampshire's Dam Removal and River Restoration Program
New Hampshire's Dam Removal and River Restoration Program
New Hampshire's Dam Removal and River Restoration Program
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<strong>New</strong> Hampshire’s s <strong>Dam</strong> <strong>Removal</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>River</strong><strong>Restoration</strong> <strong>Program</strong>Ceremonial Breaching of McGoldrick <strong>Dam</strong>Ashuelot <strong>River</strong>, <strong>New</strong> HampshirePhoto: NH DES <strong>Dam</strong> Bureau
The <strong>River</strong> <strong>Restoration</strong> <strong>Program</strong>Assists…<strong>Dam</strong> OwnersGeneral PublicGovernment AgenciesConsulting Community… with information about dam removal, such as• basics about dam removal & river restoration• the latest research <strong>and</strong> available resources• appropriate methods for a specific site… in obtaining funding to offset costs of damremoval <strong>and</strong> associated work… throughout the planning, decision-making <strong>and</strong>regulatory process
N.H. <strong>River</strong> <strong>Restoration</strong> TaskForceInitiated in January 2000A public-private collaboration restoringrivers <strong>and</strong> eliminating safety hazardsthrough selective dam removal.Goal: An efficient <strong>and</strong> effective processfor removing dams <strong>and</strong> restoring riversOperates at both statewide <strong>and</strong> projectspecificlevels
GOVERNMENT AGENCIESNational Oceanic <strong>and</strong>Atmospheric Administration<strong>Restoration</strong> CenterU.S. Army Corps of EngineersU.S. Department of Agriculture,Natural Resource ConservationServiceU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgencyU.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife ServiceU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. National Park ServiceN.H. Department ofEnvironmental ServicesNON-PROFIT GROUPSAmerican <strong>River</strong>sAshuelot <strong>River</strong> Local AdvisoryCommitteeCoastal ConservationAssociationColdwater Fisheries CoalitionConnecticut <strong>River</strong> WatershedCouncilConservation Law FoundationMerrimack Valley PaddlersN.H. <strong>River</strong>s CouncilTrout UnlimitedThe Nature ConservancyN.H. Fish <strong>and</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong> permitting phases.Development of a Guidebook to RegulatoryRequirements for <strong>Dam</strong> <strong>Removal</strong> Projects.Raised more than $1 million to fund projects.
McGoldrick <strong>Dam</strong><strong>Removal</strong>Ashuelot <strong>River</strong>,Hinsdale, N.H.July 2001Governor Shaheen breaches the damGovernor Shaheen <strong>and</strong> NH DES <strong>Dam</strong> Maintenance Crew membersPhotos: NH DES <strong>Dam</strong> Bureau
Winchester<strong>Dam</strong> <strong>Removal</strong>Ashuelot <strong>River</strong>Winchester,N.H.Cost - $31,400Funded by several federal<strong>and</strong> state agencies, <strong>and</strong>foundation support.Removed July 2002
West Henniker <strong>Dam</strong>,Contoocook <strong>River</strong>Henniker, N.H.Removed, Summer 2004Height – 10 feet, Length – 140 feetRestored 15 miles of river tofree-flowingProject cost:
October 13, 2004
August 2008Merrimack Village <strong>Dam</strong> - Merrimack, NH
February 2009Maxwell Pond <strong>Dam</strong> - Manchester, NH
Homestead WoolenMill <strong>Dam</strong>West Swanzey, NHWinnicut <strong>River</strong> <strong>Dam</strong>Greenl<strong>and</strong>, NH
<strong>Program</strong> Strengths<strong>Dam</strong> Safety Office is the first place many people look forinformation. Cross-pollination of dam safety engineers <strong>and</strong>multi-disciplinary program – learning a lot fromeach other.<strong>Program</strong> takes a “consultant approach.” The applicant <strong>and</strong> community are seen as the clientduring the planning process.Of course, we must take the regulatory approach whennecessary.DES <strong>Dam</strong> Maintenance Crew serves as an in-housecontractor. Learning the most effective approaches first-h<strong>and</strong>because the agency is doing some of the removals.
Historic Resource Review<strong>Program</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong>throughout the process.Canal Systems Milling History Timber Crib ConstructionPhotos: NH DES <strong>Dam</strong> Bureau
Deborah Loiselle<strong>River</strong> <strong>Restoration</strong> Coordinator(603) 271-3406Deborah.Loiselle@des.nh.govwww.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dam/damremoval/index.htm.htm