Description
Aging dams can pose public safety risks, constrain river health, and become more dangerous as extreme rainfall increases. Building on the success of the Town Brook restoration project, this action creates a plan to remove three significant hazard dams (Fresh Pond, Store Pond, and Jenney/Arms House Pond). Dam removal can reduce failure risk, improve river function, restore aquatic habitats, and potentially reduce upstream flooding in certain contexts—though careful study is needed to understand site-specific hydrology and downstream effects. Success looks like a feasible removal plan, stakeholder engagement, funding and permitting pathways, and eventual removal that improves safety and ecological resilience.