Breaching removes all or part of a dam to allow fish to swim upstream. Dams still in use may require a fish ladder. A fish ladder is an inclined water channel structure with a series of baffles or weirs. The baffles interrupt and slow the flow of water, simulating pools and rapids. Fish swim up the ladder just as they would swim up natural rapids.
Larger dams require fish lifts.
Fishways alone will not restore shad populations. After a stream blockage is removed, biologists must reintroduce shad into newly opened spawning grounds. Fertilized eggs and juvenile shad can be released into upriver areas. Another technique captures adults that are ready to spawn and releases them into newly accessible spawning areas. Fishways and stocking must be reinforced by protecting important fish habitat.