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The Winchell-Smith Dam on the Farmington River in Connecticut is coming down! This long-anticipated project, spearheaded by the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA), is a major milestone in the restoration of the Farmington River. The full removal and restoration effort, which began on September 8, is expected to be completed within two weeks and will reconnect 30 miles of critical upstream habitat.
The effort is the result of a robust collaboration among project partners, following years of persistence and careful planning to turn a long-standing vision for the Farmington River into reality. Under the leadership of FRWA, the project partners include Miss Porter’s School, the current dam owner; Princeton Hydro, providing engineering, design and project oversight; RiverLogic Solutions; CTDEEP Fisheries; and the Town of Farmington. Together, these partners are advancing ecological restoration, community safety, and recreation access along one of New England’s most celebrated rivers.
Photo taken September 10 by Princeton Hydro Director of River Restoration & Resilience Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP
The Farmington River, a designated “Partnership Wild & Scenic River,” flows for nearly 47 miles along its main stem in northwest Connecticut, with major tributaries extending into southwest Massachusetts. It’s longest route, originating from the West Branch, stretches 80.4 miles, making it the longest tributary of the Connecticut River. Its watershed spans more than 600 square miles, providing critical drinking water to hundreds of thousands of people, supporting a world-class trout fishery, and serving as a vital habitat for a variety of resident and migratory species. Nearly 79 miles of the river are federally protected for their outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values.
The Winchell-Smith Dam, a 200-foot-wide, 4-foot-high, low-head timber crib structure, dates back to the early 1600s and may have been the first gristmill ever built on the Farmington River. The dam had long ceased to serve a functional purpose but continued to impede the river’s natural process, blocked access for migratory fish, created localized erosion and scour, presented an obstacle for paddlers and anglers, and posed as a safety hazard.
Removing the dam delivers myriad benefits to the ecological landscape and surrounding community. Most significantly, it reopens 30 miles of historic spawning habitat for species such as American shad, alewife, blueback herring, sea lamprey, and American eel, and provides unobstructed access to the upper reaches of the river and its tributaries. The restored river channel will support healthier fish populations, stabilize riverbanks, reestablish important wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. Additionally, the project enhances public safety by eliminating a hazardous low-head dam and expands opportunities for nature-based recreation along this cherished waterway.
The photos below, taken by Princeton Hydro Senior Fluvial Geomorphologist Casey Clapsaddle, show the rapid progress being made at the Winchell-Smith Dam site:
Princeton Hydro’s involvement at the Winchell-Smith Dam site dates back to 2009, when the engineering team worked with FRWA to complete early assessments and developed a design for a nature-like fishway. Funding constraints and the dam’s continued deterioration ultimately made full removal the only viable option. With funding support from CTDEEP Fisheries, the effort to fully remove Winchell-Smith Dam was finally able to advance.
Princeton Hydro provided comprehensive engineering services, including site investigation and geomorphic inspection, wetland delineation, hydrologic assessment and hydraulic modeling, permitting, and construction oversight.
The removal of the Winchell-Smith Dam is part of a larger restoration plan initiated by FRWA and Princeton Hydro, which included the removal of the Spoonville Dam. The 35-foot-high concreate dam once stood as the first barrier to fish passage on the Farmington River.
Photos from the Spoonville Dam Removal in 2009:
While the Winchell-Smith Dam itself is being dismantled, its history will not be lost. Timbers from the structure are being preserved and repurposed for educational objectives, honoring the site’s industrial legacy while celebrating its ecological renewal. Rocks and boulders from the dam will also be used to restore the river location, constructing a riffle-like condition in the riverbed.
The project also aims to foster the next generation of environmental stewards by engaging the students at Miss Porter’s School and local public schools. Throughout the process, students are participating in hands-on activities that deepen their understanding of river restoration and introduce them to STEM subjects like engineering and ecology.
As demolition progresses, partners, community members, and environmental advocates are celebrating the return of a free-flowing Farmington River and looking forward to its continued transformation. Stay tuned to for more updates!
To learn more about FRWA, visit their website or click here to read our Client Spotlight blog featuring Executive Director Aimee Petras.
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