Dams are traditionally considered permanent landscape fixtures; but in the United States, the number of dams removed each year is beginning to exceed the number of new dams constructed.  American Rivers (1999) has identified more than 450 dams that have been removed from U.S. rivers since 1912. 

Most were small and were removed because they no longer performed the functions they were created for, posed environmental or safety concerns, and/or because the cost of dam rehabilitation was greater than the perceived benefits. 

I have been working on a number of issues related to the geomorphic and ecological effects of dam removal and associated reservoir sediment releases. 

If you have any information on dams that have been removed (including stories or photo's), or just want to talk about dam removal, please feel free drop me a line.

-greg
 

 

     Gregory Stewart
     www.collbett.org/greg