Winnicut Dam Removal and Restoration

GREENLAND, NEW HAMPSHIRE - An innovative partnership of State and Federal agencies, and donations from Non-Governmental Organizations, including $750,000 in NRCS WHIP funding and $500,000 in NOAA funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, have the made the removal of the Winnicut River Dam and adjacent fish ladder possible. The dismantling of the dam and installation of a new innovative run-of-river "fish pass" under Route 33 is in progress and expected to be completed by the end of November. The public is invited to watch live images of the dam removal, by visiting http://www.earthcam.com/winnicut or http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/projects_programs/crp/winnicutdamcam.html.

The head-of-tide dam is the last remaining obstruction on the mainstem of the Winnicut River and, once removed, will reconnect 39 miles of the natural riverine corridor. The owner of the dam, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, decided in 2007 to remove the dam, built in 1957, after an extensive feasibility study largely funded by the NRCS. The study determined that dam removal would be the best option to restore fish passage for migratory fish, such as river herring, American eel, and river herring, to important spawning and nursery grounds.

Funding and resources for the $1.2 million total project cost has come from many federal, state, and non-governmental organization sources, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Coastal Program, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Coastal Conservation Association, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the New Hampshire Moose Plate Grant Program.

An event to celebrate the dam's removal and the creation of a new conservation partnership was held at the Winnicut Dam site on October 15, 2009. State Conservationist, George Cleek gave a speech touting the partnership and the project.

For more information on the project, visit: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/restoration/projects/winnicut.htm.

Link to October 16, 2009 article in the "Fosters Daily Democrat".
Link to October 16, 2009 article in the "Portsmouth Herald".

Winnicut River with dam removed in Greenland, New Hampshire         District Conservationist, Lance Gorham, State Conservationist, George Cleek, and Student Conservation Association Intern, Matt O'Malley in front of Winnicut river dam removal site        Coastal Estuaries Partnership Agreement
Winnicut site after dam demolition                                   Left to Right: Acting District Conservationist Lance         Estuaries Partnership Agreement
                                                                                    Gorham, State Conservationist, George Cleek,
                                                                                    Student Conservation Association Intern, Matt O'Malley

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