Steeles Mill Dam, Hitchcock Creek, NC

This 15-foot tall by 100-foot long dam in Rockingham, North Carolina was removed in July 2009. It was originally built in the late 1800s as a hydropower dam, but ceased generating power in 1999 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a license exemption in 2001. Multiple partners-- including the City of Rockingham, NOAA, American Rivers, the NC Division of Water Resources, and Pilot View RC&D -- worked together to remove this dam and restore access to historic spawning habitat for American shad and American eel. The removal of the dam provides these migratory fish access to 15 new river miles. The removal is partially funded through the American Rivers-NOAA Community-based Habitat Restoration Partnership.

Efforts are now underway to monitor the success of the project. These include surveys of fish, mussels, river habitat, and additional barriers to fish upstream. The first year of monitoring (spring 2010) has shown excellent fish diversity above and below the former dam, with roughly 45 fish species found in Hitchcock Creek, including American eel. No American shad have yet been found above or below the former dam, but biologists are hopeful they will be found this spring (2011). Mussel surveys are planned for 2012. 

For more information, contact Lynnette Batt with American Rivers at 919-682-3197.

Read the Press Release