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Dam removal and river restoration

December 9, 2021

The removal of dams from rivers has become a common and widespread practice in the United States and Europe. Although often initiated by factors like economics and safety, ecosystem restoration is often a desired benefit and outcome of dam removal. We describe the physical and ecological effects that the placement and removal of dams have on rivers. We then focus on the drivers of dam removal, present considerations for undertaking a dam removal project, and discuss case-studies and recent syntheses describing the ecological outcomes of dam removal.

Publication Year 2021
Title Dam removal and river restoration
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-819166-8.00101-8
Authors Jeffrey J. Duda, J. Ryan Bellmore
Publication Type Book Chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Index ID 70227327
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Western Fisheries Research Center