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Dam Removals

NSRWA is a leading advocate in Massachusetts working to reconnect rivers and streams by removing dams and restoring cranberry bogs. Dams trap sediment and create stagnant conditions, making the water warmer and less inhabitable. Dams also block the movement of fish. Most dams on the South Shore were built in the 1700s and 1800s to power small mills. These dams have outlived their original purpose and are aging.

Dam removal not only improves access for migratory fish like river herring, alewife, and Eastern brook trout, but also improves water quality, helps maintain streamflow, and improves water habitat. Without dams blocking their free passage, fish populations can increase, providing more food for the animals that eat them like striped bass, bluefish, osprey, and herons.

Since 2002, NSRWA has removed four dams in our own watershed and through our MassBays South Shore partnership supported our partners on the South Shore to:

  • Restore 5 bogs
  • Create 16 miles of partial access through fish passage structures
  • Open 31 miles of streams and rivers
  • Remove 26 dams

Together with town, state and federal partners, and other South Shore watershed groups, we have made remarkable progress, but there is more to do. Overall, 15% of available habitat has been re-opened but 77% is still blocked by dams. Only 4 of the 65 dams in the North and South Rivers Watershed have been removed. We aim to remove in our own watershed and help our partners remove as many dams as possible, freeing our streams and rivers.

Current Dam Removal Projects

In Marshfield and Duxbury, the NSRWA is working to reconnect and restore the South River.

“Even with its compromised state the South River is an ecological jewel in the heart of Marshfield – it supports at least 6 sea run fisheries – blueback and alewife collectively known as river herring, shad, eel, sea run brook trout, and white perch. All of these fisheries are at risk and have declined ”

Samantha Woods, NSRWA Executive Director

South Shore Dams Removed

More cool videos from our partners on dam removals on the South Shore!