Dam Removal

A small dam located in a rural location.

Largest Dam Removal in U.S. History Clears Final Regulatory Hurdle

Four dams are coming down along the Klamath River. The final decision to remove the dams is a milestone political and legal victory for indigenous tribes living in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

November 20, 2022 - High Country News

Klamath River

Dams on the Way Out on Two California Rivers

The largest dam removal project in U.S. history is about to commence on the Klamath River. Due to a recent development, a dam on the Eel River is also on expected for decommission.

May 25, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Water rushes over a spillway at a large concrete dam.

Congressional Bills Could Hit Refresh on U.S. Dams

The 21st Century Dams Act, a proposal to remove four dams on the lower Snake River, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act all have a chance to redefine the country's approach to dams and watersheds.

August 25, 2021 - American Rivers

Washington State

Washington State Having a 'Dam-Busting Summer'

Two dams have been removed from watersheds in Washington State in as many months.

August 6, 2020 - The Seattle Times

Washington

Washington Dam Removal Project Required Lots of Work, Expected to Deliver Big Benefits

It took years of work to remove a dam owned by the city of Bellingham in Washington State, but for wildlife in the area, the project is definitely worth the effort.

July 19, 2020 - EcoWatch

Patapsco River

Dam Removal Complete on Maryland's Patapasco River

The Bloede Dam was the most downstream of a series of three dams on the Patapsco River in the Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland. Now all three dams have been removed, concluding with the Bloede Dam, and the river runs free.

September 13, 2019 - American Rivers

Kennebec River

20 Years of Dam Removal Projects

Dam removal has its benefits, according to the example set by a particularly historic dam removal in the United States, which took place on July 1, 1999.

July 2, 2019 - American Rivers

Western Wisconsin

Dam Removal Movement Gains Ground in Wisconsin

More cities are reclaiming a natural, free flowing river as a resource for quality of life and economic development.

May 4, 2019 - Pioneer Press

Klamath Tribes

Plan Released for Largest Dam Removal Project in U.S. History

A plan to remove four dams on the Klamath River took a crucial step forward at the end of June. Planners hope the dam removals will improve water quality, revive fisheries, create local jobs, and boost tourism and recreation.

July 11, 2018 - Del Norte Triplicate

Feather River Dam

The Case for Dam Removal

Where aging infrastructure is concerned, most of us don't immediately think of old dams. But there are a lot of them. Environmental advocates want to see them go, and in recent years de-damming has picked up speed.

April 7, 2017 - Next City

Green River

Green River Dam Removal Reverses a Century of Infrastructure History in Kentucky

A century-old dam on the Green River failed in November. Now it will be removed in March.

March 23, 2017 - Courier-Journal

Klamath River

Major Dam Removal Proposals Move Forward in California and Oregon

The movement to restore the Klamath River by removing four dams has achieved a major milestone in recent weeks.

October 3, 2016 - KQED

Klamath River Dam Removal Moves Ahead Without Congressional Approval

A lack of Congressional approval almost killed a controversial dam removal project on the Klamath River in Oregon and California. The states and the Interior Department have found a way to proceed.

April 7, 2016 - Associated Press via The Register-Guard

California's Largest Dam Removal Underway in Monterey County

Even in an epic drought, the long-awaited commencement of the $83 million San Clemente Dam removal project is welcomed as the obsolete dam posed a safety threat to downstream communities and provided very little water due to tremendous silt build-up.

August 11, 2015 - Monterey Herald

Dam Removal Goes Mainstream

In 20 years, dam removal has gone from a "fringe notion" to "wide acceptance." National Geographic explains how and why this sea change occurred.

January 28, 2015 - National Geographic

Elwha River Glines Canyon Dam

World's Largest Dam Removal Project Complete in Washington State

Here's a comeback story for the ages: The Elwha River in Washington, dammed for the production of hydroelectric power for almost a century, runs wild again.

August 29, 2014 - National Geographic

Dam Removal Proposed to Save Salmon

Lawmakers are likely to consider a controversial plan this summer to remove a series of dams on the Klamath River to help restore endangered salmon populations.

August 1, 2011 - National Geographic

Dam Raises Questions About Habitat Restoration and Destruction

This feature from Miller-McCune looks at the debate over a dam near Stanford University, and whether it should be removed to restore the ecosystem the area once housed, or maintained to protect the ecosystem that it spawned.

August 5, 2010 - Miller-McCune

Tribe Appeals For Removal Of Dams

Dams have been decimating the population of salmon in Northern California's Klamath River for years, and now Native Americans who depend on the salmon are traveling to visit the owner of the dams to appeal for their removal.

April 27, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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