Remove those dams that kill fish . . . Dams are barriers that stop rivers, turning cold rushing flows to warm, slow-moving pools, hindering the migration of fish. Some dams are so destructive to a river that fish ladders and other fixes don't work, and the dam must go. . . . and restore habitat. Dam removal returns the river to its natural free flowing state, improving the river community, increasing public river access, and restoring fish populations.
Healthy streams mean clean water and livable communities for people and fish.
Some dams just don't make sense . . . Some dams, such as the 2 Elwha River dams , the Condit dam , and the 4 Lower Snake River dams , have outlived their purpose. In such cases, dam removal is the only alternative to restore rivers and riverside communities. Since 1912, more than 465 dams have been removed in the United States for economic, safety, and environmental concerns. There are currently more than 75,000 large dams in the United States.