Dam Removals Restore Fish Runs Across the Northeastern United States

Since 1912, the United States has seen the removal of more than 2,300 dams, with a significant surge occurring in the last 25 years. The movement reached its zenith in 2024, allowing for the reconnection of over 2,500 miles of rivers; notably, the removal of four dams on the Klamath River opened up 400 miles for chinook salmon. Other notable removals took place on the Elwha River in Washington and in various locations across Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. Despite these advancements, 35,000 dams continue to obstruct fish migrations in the Northeast. Recent removals have resulted in remarkable increases in fish populations, exemplified by six million river herring returning to Maine's Penobscot River in 2025. However, challenges such as budget cuts and local resistance persist. The Mill Pond Dam in New Hampshire received demolition approval in 2022, with completion anticipated in 2027.