Dam removals are bringing fish back across the northeastern United States

Dam removals across the northeastern United States are helping to restore fish populations by eliminating barriers that block their migration paths. Since 2000, over 1,000 dams have been removed, with more than 100 in the past five years alone. The removal of these dams allows fish such as the Atlantic salmon, American shad, and river herring to migrate upstream to spawn, which is crucial for their survival. The largest dam removal project to date is the removal of the Edwards Dam in Maine, which was completed in 2013 and cost $20 million. The project involved removing 10,000 cubic yards of concrete and rehydrating 130 acres of habitat. The project has shown promising results, with a significant increase in fish populations in the area.