Lessons Learned: Engaging Communities in River Restoration through Small Dam Removal

Over the past several years, large scale dam removal projects on the Elwha River and discussions over potential removals in the Klamath basin have captured attention nationwide. No matter the size of the structure, dams impact a river in fundamental ways through alteration of sediment delivery and transport, storage and release of flows, water quality and fish passage. However, dozens of dam removal projects have been implemented on much smaller river systems throughout Washington and Oregon. These small projects are opening up hundreds of miles of spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids and lamprey without the media attention or recognition. Years in the making, community decisions over how to best address aging infrastructure follow a somewhat predictable trajectory that occurs no matter the size, age or condition of the dam. Oregon dam removal projects conducted by local community non-profits over the past 8 years include: Brownsville, Sodom and Shearer Dams (Calapooia River), Cox Creek Dam (tributary to the Willamette River), Myrtle Creek Dam (tributary to South Umpqua River) and Fielder and Wimer Dams (Evans Creek, tributary to the Rogue River). The lessons learned in identifying landowner concerns, addressing agency and permitting requirements and monitoring are parallel, despite the varying geographies.