Dam Removal Basics

Home...Dams, Impoundments & BarriersDam Removal Basics
  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. Dams on Michigan’s rivers and streams may impose both positive and negative impacts on the coldwater watersheds where they are found. Michigan Trout Unlimited supports the removal or modification of dams on Michigan’s coldwater watersheds that will improve hydrologic or thermal regimes and coldwater habitat. This is a key element of TU’s general objective to “Restore and Reconnect” a coldwater’s natural conductivity.
    2. The Michigan TU Conservation Committee recognizes that it is a significant challenge to identify those dams whose positive attributes are outweighed by their negative impacts and to then prioritize those dams whose removal should become a focus of our efforts. Additionally, there are many dams that are, or soon will be, beyond their design life. Whether a decision is made to remove or rebuild a particular dam depends on specific criteria for each situation, including water quality considerations, safety, and cost. In pursuit of this goal, it will be helpful to create a common understanding among our chapters of the importance of dam removal and to provide some guidance in how to pursue worthy projects.
    3. This document is an education/communications tool to not only inform and guide MiTU’ s chapters in selecting and prioritizing dams that are candidates for removal, but to be utilized by those chapters to educate and engage other stakeholders throughout the process to generate the support that is needed to proceed. These stakeholders include dam owners, partnering conservation organizations, community and local government leaders, riparian landowners, potential funding organizations and donors, and all other entities who become involved throughout the process.
  1. OVERVIEW
    1. Dams in Michigan range from very small to quite large and exist in rivers and streams with a range of abiotic factors (sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation), biotic factors (caused by living creatures), and factors such as hydrology, geology, temperature regimes, and species present up and downstream. Because of these variables, each dam removal consideration must receive a specialized evaluation.
    2. It is recognized that each chapter is limited in the resources they can employ toward dam removals, so it is important to identify those dams that have the most deleterious impact on our coldwater watersheds. We need to focus our resources on having the maximum impact on making meaningful improvements.
  1. FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN DAM EVALUATION AND REMOVAL
    1. What is the history of the dam…why it exists, its age, original purpose, and whether it continues to fulfill that purpose. Was it once or is it now a hydroelectric asset? Is it publicly or privately owned?
    2. What are the economic and/or recreational uses of the dam and the river?
    3. Consider the characteristics of the river or stream, in particular wetlands, fisheries, wildlife, threatened/endangered species, water quality, stream flow and its variability, sediment transport, turbidity, water chemistry, water temperature, and riparian rights.
    4. Consider the dam’s characteristics. What is the type and size of the dam? Are there dams upstream or downstream?  Will sand/silt deposits be an issue?
    5. When and under what circumstances is the dam’s removal desirable? How would its removal benefit the watershed?
    6. Is there manmade wetland created above the dam, and does it enhance or detract from the quality of the watershed?
    7. Does the dam affect anadromous fish in the river? Is there an impact on fish migrations from the Great Lakes into a tributary habitat?
    8. What is the impact on waterfront property owners, and how can they be educated on the benefits of dam removal.
    9. How does the dam affect flood plains and/or regulate upstream lake (impoundment) levels.
    10. Is the dam in disrepair or present a hazard? What would be the consequences of dam failure?
    11. Are there social or economic interests associated with the impoundment created by the dam? Is it public or private? Whom does the dam affect?  Is boat traffic affected?
    12. What are the impacts on the stream below the dam and impoundment both during dam removal and after completion of the project?
    13. Is there special interest support for or against alterations to or removal of the dam? Who would champion the project, and what partners might get involved?
    14. What is the estimated cost for ongoing dam maintenance, dam repair, and dam removal? Is there funding available for dam alterations or removal?
  1. EXISTING DAM REMOVAL GUIDELINES; OTHER INFORMATION
    1. United States Forest Service, A Beginner’s Guide to Assessing Dams and Impoundments: https://www.fs.usda.gov/eng/dams/olt/index.html#!01-home
    2. Dam Safety Considerations per EGLE (Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy): https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/dam-safety
    3. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has regulatory control over all hydroelectric facilities and project operations that impact interstate trade, have post-1935 construction, use surplus water or waterpower from a federal dam, occupy federal lands, or are located on navigable water. FERC is the ultimate decision-maker in the licensing process. https://www.ferc.gov/hydropower
    4. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has considerable management responsibility on rivers that have hydroelectric facilities on them. Hydroelectric facilities limit resource management options on watersheds by adversely impacting both the riverine environment and the aquatic ecosystem in which they operate. The DNR’s role as a state resource agency is to: 1) recommend data needs to evaluate these facilities; 2) recommend measures to mitigate adverse impacts; and 3) recommend license conditions for each project. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/fisheries/dams
      1. DNR Removal Guidelines for Owners: this guidance document suggests issues that may need to be considered when deciding the future of a dam, and to assist in implementing a dam removal project. It outlines steps to help dam owners and their communities develop a long-term plan for the dam, which includes consideration of financial, public safety and environmental issues. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/managing/fisheries/DamRemovalGuidelinesForOwners.pdf?rev=b07fadec77c04433bb20b207c239cf8f&hash=B1827DBE4E9A25F3CDE253F4F59F6263
    5. Dam Removal: A Citizen’s Guide to Restoring Rivers. This detailed guideline for evaluating dams and the desirability and feasibility of their potential removal was jointly developed by the River Alliance of Wisconsin and Trout Unlimited. https://wisconsinrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dam-Removal-A-Citizens-Guide-to-Saving-Rivers.pdf
    6. Removing Small Dams: A Basic Guide for Project Managers. This report provides a starting point for project managers getting involved in dam removal work. It contains basic steps that most dam removals will require, including project management and design considerations, potential permitting issues, and ideas for funding. https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/NatlDamProjectManagerGuide_06112015.pdf
  1. EXAMPLES OF LARGE IMPACT MICHIGAN DAM REMOVALS
    1. DOWAGIAC RIVER 2021
    2. BOARDMAN RIVER 2011-2013: Three dams – Sabin, Browns Pond, and Boardman River Dam in Traverse City.