What do the communities of Ripton, Barre Town, Tunbridge, Newport Town, Berkshire, West Dover, Springfield, Barre, and West Rutland all have in common? Each town has removed a derelict dam this summer, restoring a river to its natural state. In fact, 9 dams were removed this past summer, which is the most planned dam removals ever completed in Vermont in a single year.
These newly free-flowing rivers have their own stories to tell – The Brandy Brook, Stevens Branch, First Branch of the White River, Tributary of the North Branch of the Deerfield River, Mudd Creek, Trout Brook, Mile Brook, and Youngs Brook – all had dams that blocked flow for decades and, in some cases, centuries. Now they can find a new path, one that provides better habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife living in and along the rivers, and reduces flood risks for homes, businesses, and infrastructure. These projects contribute to the local economy by engaging excavation contractors in almost $4 million worth of work, as well as enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities by making Vermont’s waters cleaner, safer, and more accessible.
Each river and its specific design prescription for planned dam removal is unique. Some dam removals are important for aquatic organism passage to allow native fish and other aquatic species to move freely up and down the river and access critical spawning habitat. In 2025, over 125 river miles were reconnected with the planned, physical removal of these dams.
“Simply put, removing a dam and re-establishing natural stream dynamics is restoring the lifeblood of our planet – our rivers sustain us,” said Karina Dailey, Science and Restoration Director at the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC).
Several dams removed in 2025 were selected to improve water quality and restore the natural movement of sediment in the river. The flow of rivers is a critical part of the water cycle and is essential to replenishing freshwater sources and removing conditions for bacteria to thrive. Reconnecting these tributaries can reduce water temperatures and increase dissolved oxygen by reconnecting groundwater with surface water. These projects reconnected and restored a combined total of 6,100 linear feet of stream channel for the rivers to meander through.
Removing hazardous or poorly maintained dams that may cause damage to life and property reduces flood risk and improves public safety. Reconnecting rivers to their historic floodplain helps slow and dissipate stormwater during high flows and thus also serves as a safety measure. This year, more than 10 acres of floodplain were restored with these 9 dam removals. Additionally, one Significant Hazard Dam was removed, and all of the dams removed were in poor condition.
In many cases, dam removal provides an opportunity for a community to rethink its relationship with the river. They can improve river access for recreation and instill a renewed sense of stewardship and understanding of river processes and functions. Through the collaborative design and removal process, project stakeholders are afforded opportunities to provide input and share ideas, a process that ultimately leads to better projects that employ local excavating contractors and engineers who work hard to complete projects on time and on budget.
“We love to see how the Barre community is embracing the improved river access areas as we work through the removal of three dams on the Stevens Branch. After some delays in permitting this year, Hilltop Construction of Randolph went above and beyond to get two projects completed on time and on budget, with excellent results. Then community volunteers turned out in force on a cold, rainy day to plant dozens of trees and shrubs as a finishing touch,” says Michelle Braun, Executive Director of Friends of the Winooski River.
Vermont Dam Task Force October Meeting at Jockey Hollow Dam Removal on the Stevens Branch in Barre Town.
The dam removal process brings communities together, but it is the local organizations that provide the capacity to manage and guide this tremendous effort. Watershed and local planning organizations that removed dams this year included: Franklin County Conservation District, Missisquoi Basin Association, Connecticut River Conservancy, White River Partnership, Mount Ascutney Regional Planning, the Town of West Rutland, Friends of the Winooski River, and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
For more information, please read about each of the 9 dam removal stories at FreeVermontRivers.org or contact Karina Dailey, Science and Restoration Director at VNRC (kdailey@vnrc.org).
2025 Vermont Dam Removal Highlights:
- 9 dams removed (most ever planned removals in one year)
- $4 million on economic activity to remove the dams
- More than 125 miles of river reconnected
- 6,100 linear feet of stream channels reconnected and restored
- 1 Significant Hazard dam removed
- 9 dams in poor condition removed
- Increased access and recreational opportunities on rivers
- Improved health of rivers, including water quality and wildlife habitat
- Improved flood resilience and public safety for communities