Resources and Publications
Dam Removal in New Jersey: Background, Regulatory Guidance, and Practical Aspects
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
These documents provide an overview of the regulatory framework that creates unintended obstacles to dam removal and river restoration in the State of New Jersey. “Dam Removal in New Jersey: Background, Regulatory Guidance, and Practical Aspects” provides a clear and concise list of recommendations to the NJDEP based on a review of pertinent background information and existing regulatory language. It also includes materials that will support the development of a formal dam removal program in the State of New Jersey. “Review of New Jersey Regulations Pertaining to Dam Removal & Stream Restoration” is a supporting document provides a more comprehensive review of regulations pertaining to dam removal and river restoration, detailed case studies of projects that encountered regulatory hurdles, and the findings of a survey pertaining regulatory issues.
Dam Removal and Historic Preservation: Reconciling Dual Objective
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
The goal of this report is to help dam removal proponents and advocates for historic preservation work together more effectively to achieve their mutual goals, all while building constructive relationships and successfully reconciling potentially competing objectives.
Dam Safety: Protecting Communities and Ecosystems from Dam Failure
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
Dams are not designed to last forever; their deterioration is inevitable. It is imperative that we take a proactive approach to dam safety now, before the next major dam failure occurs. This means we must have a complete inventory of dams and their safety conditions, and, where significant safety risks occur we must ensure that the resources are available to either remove or repair that dam.
Beyond Dams: Options and Alternatives
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
The purpose of this report is to provide stakeholders and decision-makers with an overview of low-impact and non-structural alternatives to dams. It is designed as a reference for anyone interested in exploring options for replacing a function served by an existing dam or replacing a function to be served by a proposed dam.
An Illustrative Handbook on Nature-Like Fishways, Summarized Version
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
This summarized version of "An Illustrative Handbook on Nature-Like Fishways" gathers photographs from multiple nature-like fishways that have been constructed around the world and lists critical design data for each project. The goal is to encourage designers and other decision makers to employ this type of innovative thinking and nature-like design approach, when feasible, by providing existing examples of these fishways.
Exploring Dam Removal: A Decision Making Guide
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
This guide is designed to walk interested parties deciding whether or not to remove a dam through some of the key issues involved in that decision-making process. The report is divided into the four areas where dam removal will have the greatest impact/benefit and addresses ecological, social, economic, and technical issues involved in dam removal.
Ecology of Dam Removal
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
Angela T. Bednarek, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania recently conducted a comprehensive review of the short- and long-term ecological impacts of dam removal. This paper summarizes Bednarek’s findings and comments on Bednarek’s call for additional research to further the scientific community’s knowledge of the ecological impacts of dam removal.
Dam Removal Success Stories
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
This report provides information on case studies of dams that have been removed—and the ecological, safety, and economic benefits that accompanied these removals.
