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# National Fish Passage Program

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                -  National Fish Passage Program
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## Latest Stories and Topics

Land ManagementBipartisan Infrastructure Law Having Positive, Lasting ImpactsA note from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Annual Report. Also, read the full report and listen to the Nature's Infrastructure Podcast.Apr 4, 2024

Why are we removing dams?Of the nearly 100,000 dams blocking our nation’s rivers, the majority are nearly invisible. Underneath their murky waters, they halt the free flow and exchange of fish, nutrients and sediments, and they pose a deadly risk to recreationists and families across the country. We at the U.S. Fish and...Feb 20, 2024

Science and TechnologyNavigating Watershed BarriersBiologists are conducting several thousand surveys in the Ochlockonee River Watershed to assess fish passage barriers and stream habitat conditions to prioritize restoration projects.Feb 2, 2024

Our PeopleTim Ericson's Elemental ExperiencesFrom volcanic close calls to rainy river floats, the fish and wildlife biologist’s conservation career is only just getting started.Jan 24, 2024

Town Transformations Through Fish Passage ProjectsDiscover how National Fish Passage Program projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are not only reopening habitats for aquatic species but also creating jobs, reducing flood risks, and fostering community development.Jan 11, 2024

Endangered Species ActSongs for SpeciesIn honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, we are proud to bring you the Songs for Species playlist -- a mix of original songs written, performed, recorded, and donated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees.Jan 2, 2024

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## Our Services

### We provide financial and technical assistance to support projects that improve fish passage - the ability of fish and other aquatic wildlife to move freely throughout their life . 

The National Fish Passage Program is a national leader connecting watersheds and people. The program has decades of experience implementing projects in collaboration with federal agencies, Tribes, states, and our non-profit partners. We work with communities to remove obsolete and dangerous barriers, permanently eliminating public safety hazards and restoring river ecosystems. The resulting infrastructure benefits communities by reconnecting aquatic habitat, increasing flood resilience, and saving money in long-term repair and replacement costs.

#### Since 1999, the National Fish Passage Program has:

                    - Worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners across the country.
                    - Removed or bypassed over 3,500 barriers to  fish passage **fish passage**** Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.  Learn more about fish passage  .
                    - Reopened access to over 64,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other wildlife.

#### $200 Million Dollar Investment in Rivers, Wildlife, and Communities

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included an additional $200 million for restoring fish and wildlife passage by removing in-stream barriers and providing technical assistance under the National Fish Passage Program. The funding is distributed over five years, providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our nation’s rivers, streams, and communities.

### Find a National Fish Passage Program project in your neighborhood.

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EXPLORE THE DATA DASHBOARDAccess the Data

Fish Passage Technical and Planning Assistance 

The National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance for projects that improve the ability of fish or other aquatic species to migrate by reconnecting habitat that has been fragmented by a barrier such as a dam or culvert. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists...

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## Projects and Research

The National Fish Passage Program works with local communities on a voluntary basis to remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people. Fish passage projects address issues related to climate change **climate change**** Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.  Learn more about climate change  and serve disadvantaged communities while spanning the nation geographically and addressing a wide array of diverse aquatic resource issues. 

#### Explore our past successes and future projects featuring investments in Tribal lands, climate resiliency, imperiled species.

Full Library of Bipartisan Infrastructure Projects

Bipartisan infrastructure Law: fish Passage Stories 

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Sabattus River Restoration: Removal of Upper Town Dam and Mill Remnant Dam

The project will remove two dams, the Upper Town Dam and the Remnant Mill Dam from the Sabattus River, a tributary to the Androscoggin River in Maine. Both dams will be removed, with bank restoration, stabilization, and revegetation.  These dam removals will eliminate public safety hazards, reduce flooding risk, restore parks and safe access to nature for disadvantaged communities,...

Sabattus River Restoration: Removal of Upper Town Dam and Mill Remnant Dam

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Upper Bear River Fish Passage for Native Bear River Cutthroat

The Upper Bear River straddles the border between Wyoming and Utah and has been a long-term refuge for native Bear River Cutthroat, which are unique to the watershed. However, the area is also one of the oldest agricultural districts in Wyoming and Utah and impacts from water usage over the last half century have greatly impacted the ability of native fishes to migrate and utilize the full...

Upper Bear River Fish Passage for Native Bear River Cutthroat

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Potomac Headwaters Fish Passage Restoration 

The Potomac Headwaters Fish Passage Restoration Project is a watershed scale project to reconnect over 195 miles of habitat for brook trout, American eel, and other aquatic species in the Potomac Headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay across the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The project is composed of up to 17 fish passage barrier removal projects including culvert...

Potomac Headwaters Fish Passage Restoration 

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Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

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