Fisheries management, Habitat restoration, Resilience and risk mitigation
Washburn Dam Removal on the Mohawk River
Status
Completed

States

New Hampshire

Subject

Dams
Fish passage

Removal of the Washburn Mill Dam on the Mohawk River restored connectivity to 39.3 miles of extremely high-quality brook trout habitat. This 90-year-old dam in Colebrook, New Hampshire was no longer functional, but continued to block connectivity for fish and aquatic wildlife and put the surrounding community at risk from future climate related flooding. The project improved public safety, habitat connectivity, fisheries population resilience, and stream health for native species including wild brook trout, longnose and white sucker, slimy sculpin, burbot, longnose and blacknose dace, creek chub, wild rainbow and brown trout, and wood turtle. Northern tributaries of the Connecticut River provide freshwater breeding and spawning habitat critical for populations of native fish and support an important recreational fishery. 

Project Quick Facts:

Project StatusComplete
LocationNH, Coos County
NFPP Project Funding$500,000
Restoration TechniquesDam Removal
Accomplishments39.3 Stream Miles Reconnected, 20 Acres Reopened
Partner Project LeadAmerican Rivers

The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success. 

Implemented primarily through the Service's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, the National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance to partners across the country. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The bet365下载ios's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage
and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. Staff have expertise in fish migration and biology as well as financial, engineering, and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, and landowners to help them remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people. 

Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.) 

CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED. 

News

A free flowing river where a dam once impeded water flow.
A century old dam in New Hampshire was disrupting habitat and flooding a community. Thanks to funding from the National Fish Passage Program backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Service and our partners removed the dam and restored connectivity to 39 miles of extremely high-quality...

Programs

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.
Healthy fisheries and waters are the foundation of America鈥檚 outdoor traditions and give us the freedom to fish, boat, and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation. The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work with states, tribes, and communities to provide a comprehensive approach to freshwater...
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Removing those barriers is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for people. The National...