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This project, led by The Nature Conservancy's New Jersey Chapter, is hailed by local advocates as a significant environmental victory. The complete removal of the dam, scheduled from July through September 2024, is the second of three phases of river restoration, and signifies a major milestone in the rehabilitation of the Paulins Kill River, New Jersey’s third-largest tributary to the Delaware River. On November 24, 2023, a crucial step in the restoration journey was taken with the first notching of the Paulina Dam. This initial step set the stage for the next phase of the dam removal, which is now in full swing. The project, a successful collaboration under the leadership of The Nature Conservancy, funded by NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, and designed and implemented by Princeton Hydro and RiverLogic-Renova Joint Venture, respectively, is progressing toward its goal. The third and final phase will occur in 2025 for adaptive management to complete the finishing touches, including the installation of habitat features to further enhance the biodiversity of this river segment. Watch the Progress Unfold Click below to watch a new video showcasing the project's progress. The drone footage captures the project team in action, demolishing the dam, removing sediment upriver, and strategically placing rock check dam to control the flow of sediment as the removal process continues. [embed]https://youtu.be/5VDkbvBr1z4[/embed] Laying the Foundation for Change Blairstown’s original power source for electricity, the Paulina Lake Dam, located in bucolic Warren County, NJ, has long posed challenges to the river’s health and surrounding communities. Originally constructed to produce hydropower, it has not functioned in that capacity for over 50 years. Its removal is crucial not only for mitigating risks to life and property but also for restoring the natural habitat for native species like brook trout and migratory fish. Located in bucolic Warren County, New Jersey, The Paulina Lake Dam, Blairstown’s original power source for electricity, has long posed challenges to the river’s health and, after the dam ceased its use as a power source, became a financial and safety liability to Blairstown Township. Its removal is crucial not only for mitigating risks to life and property but also for restoring the natural habitat for native species like brook trout and migratory fish. This initiative aims to:
After 129 years, the Paulina Lake Dam in Warren County is in the final stages of demolition. This project, led by The Nature Conservancy's New Jersey Chapter, is hailed by local advocates as a significant environmental victory. The complete removal of the dam, scheduled from July through September 2024, is the second of three phases of river restoration, and signifies a major milestone in the rehabilitation of the Paulins Kill River, New Jersey’s third-largest tributary to the Delaware River.
On November 24, 2023, a crucial step in the restoration journey was taken with the first notching of the Paulina Dam. This initial step set the stage for the next phase of the dam removal, which is now in full swing. The project, a successful collaboration under the leadership of The Nature Conservancy, funded by NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, and designed and implemented by Princeton Hydro and RiverLogic-Renova Joint Venture, respectively, is progressing toward its goal. The third and final phase will occur in 2025 for adaptive management to complete the finishing touches, including the installation of habitat features to further enhance the biodiversity of this river segment.
Click below to watch a new video showcasing the project's progress. The drone footage captures the project team in action, demolishing the dam, removing sediment upriver, and strategically placing rock check dam to control the flow of sediment as the removal process continues.
Blairstown’s original power source for electricity, the Paulina Lake Dam, located in bucolic Warren County, NJ, has long posed challenges to the river’s health and surrounding communities. Originally constructed to produce hydropower, it has not functioned in that capacity for over 50 years. Its removal is crucial not only for mitigating risks to life and property but also for restoring the natural habitat for native species like brook trout and migratory fish.
Located in bucolic Warren County, New Jersey, The Paulina Lake Dam, Blairstown’s original power source for electricity, has long posed challenges to the river’s health and, after the dam ceased its use as a power source, became a financial and safety liability to Blairstown Township. Its removal is crucial not only for mitigating risks to life and property but also for restoring the natural habitat for native species like brook trout and migratory fish.
This initiative aims to:
The removal of the Paulina Lake Dam is part of a larger restoration plan initiated in 2013 by The Nature Conservancy, which includes the removal of multiple dams along the Paulins Kill River, planting thousands of trees in its riparian zone, and restoration of its headwater Hyper Humus, a glacially created peat bog. This comprehensive effort, involving wetland restoration, land protection, and floodplain reforestation, aims to rejuvenate and sustain the river ecosystem.
Princeton Hydro’s President, Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, highlights the broader impact of these efforts: “The removal of Paulina Lake Dam is not just about dismantling a structure and removing a safety hazard, but paving the way for a renewed riverine landscape, where the flow of life returns to its natural course.”
As we celebrate this major milestone, we look forward to witnessing the continued transformation of the Paulins Kill. This project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, environmental stewardship, and the unwavering dedication of communities and organizations committed to preserving and restoring our natural landscapes.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey towards a restored and thriving river ecosystem this fall, and then the finishing touches in 2025! Click here to learn more about the Paulina Lake Dam removal and the broader restoration efforts.
The Paulins Kill River, New Jersey’s third largest tributary to the Delaware River, recently marked a significant milestone in its journey to restoration. On November 24, a crucial step was taken with the notching of the Paulina Lake Dam, signaling a pivotal moment in the effort to return the river to its natural state. This initiative, led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and supported by a collaborative effort among several organizations, aims to restore the Paulins Kill River ecosystem, improve water quality, and allow native aquatic species to migrate freely.
Located in Blairstown Township, Warren County, the Paulina Lake Dam has posed challenges to both the river's health and surrounding communities. It was originally constructed 128 years ago to produce hydropower, but has not functioned in that capacity for more than 50 years. Delaware River tributaries do not have the necessary size or flow to meet even a fraction of modern energy needs.
The 13-foot-high, 207-foot-long timber crib, rock-filled structure is classified as a Class II, Significant Hazard Dam due to its proximity to the Township of Blairstown. Its removal or rehabilitation became necessary to mitigate risks to life and property. Additionally, the dam has impeded fish passage along the Paulins Kill River, impacting the habitat for native brook trout and migratory species.
The dam removal and subsequent bank stabilization aims to reconnect over 7.6 miles of mainstream and tributary habitat along the river, and improve aquatic and terrestrial connectivity, improve surface water quality, enhance recreation and public safety, and eliminate the risk of a potential unplanned breach. The removal of the dam will also reconnect upstream and downstream populations of the endangered dwarf wedge and triangle floater mussels while increasing river ecology and public recreation.
Spearheaded by TNC in partnership with Blairstown Township, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Natural Resource Restoration and Division of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Princeton Hydro, and Riverlogic-Renova Joint Venture, the project received funding through grants to support the removal of the Paulina Lake Dam. The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) awarded a grant to TNC to fund a substantial portion of the removal through the Paulins Kill and Pequest Watershed Natural Resource Restoration Grant Program.
TNC recently completed preliminary notching of the 128-year-old Paulina Lake Dam. From November 24 through December 1, contractors from the Riverlogic-Renova Joint Venture worked in the river using heavy equipment to successfully remove a 40-foot long, six-foot high section of the structure, enabling a controlled release of the water impounded behind it.
Notching is performed to dewater gradually, preventing large amounts of sediment from flowing downstream all at once and potentially harming habitat. The gradual deconstruction ensures the river's stability and minimizes environmental disruption. The project team made subsequent reductions of the dam's height by one foot each day, totaling a six-foot reduction. Complete removal of the dam is slated for July through September of 2024.
Reporters from WFMZ 69 News visited the dam removal site to witness the first notch and talk with State Director of TNC in New Jersey Dr. Barbara Brummer, Blairstown Mayor Rob Moorhead, Director of Freshwater Programs at TNC in New Jersey Beth Styler Barry.
“Rivers remember,” said Beth Styler Barry, Director of Freshwater Programs at The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey. “The instant the first notch was made we could already see the Paulins Kill transforming into a more natural shape. Now with six vertical feet taken out, the water that has been stagnant for more than a century is flowing, cooling and aerating, and the natural floodplains are once again exposed and ready to revegetate.”
Click below to watch the full interview:
Princeton Hydro, contracted by TNC to provide site investigation, engineering design, permitting, and construction oversight services for the dam removal, has been working closely with Riverlogic-Renova Joint Venture to complete the deconstruction process.
"The first day of dam demolition is always exciting; seeing the river flowing through the breached Paulina Lake Dam after the first notch was very rewarding," said Paulo Rodriguez Heyman, Managing Member of the Riverlogic-Renova Joint Venture, the team leading the construction for the project. "Removing a high-hazard dam is challenging and requires the unique expertise of working in a dynamic river system. We are honored to be part of this collaborative team."
The removal of the Paulina Lake Dam stands as one integral facet of a larger restoration plan initiated in 2013, envisioning the removal of multiple dams along the Paulins Kill River. In removing the Paulina Lake Dam, the downstream-most dam on the Paulins Kill, TNC continues to build upon previous watershed-wide restoration activities that includes removing four dams: the Columbia Lake Main and Remnant Dams (2019), the County Line Dam (2021), and now the Paulina Lake Dam.
This multi-pronged effort includes wetland restoration, land protection, and floodplain reforestation—with more than 60,000 trees planted to date throughout 130 acres of floodplain. TNC has executed a 10-year “measures and monitoring” program, which began in 2016, to track conservation successes. This comprehensive effort brings hope for a rejuvenated and thriving river environment.
“The removal of Paulina Lake Dam is not just about dismantling a structure and removing a safety hazard, but paving the way for a renewed riverine landscape, where the flow of life returns to its natural course,” said Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, President of Princeton Hydro and Engineer-of-Record for the Paulina Dam removal project. “As a mission driven firm, we seek out projects that will have a positive ecological impact. We are proud to share that three of the dam removals that we designed on the Paulins Kill - Paulina Lake Dam, Columbia Lake Dam, and County Line Dam - will reconnect 45 miles of mainstem and tributaries for targeted migratory fish species like American shad, American eel, and sea lamprey.”
The Paulina Lake Dam Removal will be the final step in the TNC-led restoration of the lands and waters of the Paulins Kill.
As the restoration journey continues, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, environmental stewardship, and the dedication of communities and organizations striving to preserve and restore our natural landscapes.
For the first time in over a century, American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) have been discovered upstream from the former Columbia Dam site on the 42-mile long Paulins Kill river, an important tributary to the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey. Princeton Hydro’s Senior Water Resources Engineer and avid fisherman, Dr. Clay Emerson, PE, CFM, caught an American Shad in the Paulins Kill miles above the previous dam site this past weekend.
A successful collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers, Princeton Hydro, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Service, resulted in the removal of the out-of-commission hydroelectric Columbia Dam just months ago. Prior to this removal, American Shad and other migratory fish could not make it past the large dam structure to swim upstream to their important breeding grounds.
“I was thrilled to feel the familiar hit and see the flash of an American Shad as I reeled the fish to shore. Being an avid shad fisherman and enthusiast, I knew the significance of seeing this beautiful fish back in a place where it's always belonged,” said Clay. “We are thrilled to witness the American Shad return upstream so quickly after the century-old Columbia dam was removed. It’s a testament to the nearly instant benefits that dam removal has on the riverine ecosystem.”
The American shad’s return is an excellent sign of the overall ecological health and diversity of the river. Historically, dams, overfishing, and pollution have caused population decline in many of the major eastern U.S. rivers. American Shad, deemed the “Mid-Atlantic salmon,” are anadromous, which means they spend much of their lives in the ocean but return to rivers and their tributaries to spawn. This long distance swimmer makes it one of the Earth's great travelers. After spawning upstream in rivers of the East Coast, American Shad migrate to their primary habitat in the Atlantic Ocean up in the Gulf of Maine. Unlike the salmon of the Pacific Ocean, American Shad may return to their spawning grounds multiple times over their lifetime. The species is a key prey species for many large fish and cetaceans like dolphins and whales in the Atlantic Ocean.
“The best indicator of river water quality improving in the Paulins Kill is the appearance of shad miles upstream from the Columbia Dam,” said Dr. Barbara Brummer, New Jersey State Director of The Nature Conservancy. “Today, we celebrate proof that with the 100-year dam impediment removed, they are once again successfully swimming up the river. I could not be happier! This is what teamwork and passion for nature can achieve. It is a great day for conservation in New Jersey, with many more great days for shad in the Paulins Kill to come.”
Princeton Hydro was contracted to investigate, design, and apply for permits for the removal of this dam as requested by American Rivers in partnership with the New Jersey chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The firm investigated, designed, and prepared the necessary permits for the dam removal. The team of engineers and ecologists studied the feasibility of removal by collecting sediment samples, performing bioassay tests, and conducting a hydraulic analysis of upstream and downstream conditions.
“We are proud to be a part of this collaborative project, which has had an immediate and positive impact to the ecosystem of the Delaware River Watershed and its fishery resources,” said Princeton Hydro’s President Geoffrey Goll, PE. “Re-discovering this Delaware River diadromous icon upstream of the former dam is a very promising sign that the river will once again return to a major migration route and nursery for American Shad. This is why we do what we do!”
This Columbia Dam Removal project could not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the following partner organizations: The Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, American Rivers, Princeton Hydro, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, RiverLogic Solutions, NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Service, and SumCo EcoContracting.
Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the reconstruction, repair, and removal of a dozens of small and large dams in the Northeast. To learn more about our fish passage and dam removal engineering services, visit: bit.ly/DamBarrier.
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