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The removal of Bushkill Creek Dam #2 is now underway, marking yet another remarkable milestone in the rejuvenation of this treasured limestone stream. This achievement comes on the heels of four successfully completed dam removals since 2021, highlighting the swift progress in the revitalization efforts for Bushkill Creek.
This latest endeavor holds immense significance in facilitating the passage of migratory fish species, such as alewife and American shad, to vital upstream spawning grounds. It contributes to the recovery of ecologically-beneficial freshwater mussels and the bolstering of populations of trout and other resident fish species. And, it marks another important step in returning Bushkill Creek to its natural, free-flowing state.
During a recent site visit, Princeton Hydro President and Founding Principal Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E. took a moment to reflect on the years of hard work that have culminated in this significant milestone. Watch now:
[embed]https://youtu.be/bZs0jn6dBcQ[/embed]

 
In 2022, Wildlands Conservancy enlisted the expertise of Princeton Hydro to embark on a mission to remove four dams along Bushkill Creek. The successful removal of the Crayola Dam, also known as Dam #4, marked the beginning of this transformative journey. Subsequently, in 2023, Dams #1 and #3 were dismantled. Now, we celebrate the commencement of the removal of Dam #2.
The map below shows the locations of all four dam removal locations on the Bushkill Creek:


Bushkill Creek flows 22-miles through agricultural and suburban landscape before converging with the Delaware River. Dam #2, situated upstream from the Creek’s confluence with the Delaware River, obstructed fish passage, exacerbated local flooding, and degraded water quality, much like its counterparts. Its removal represents a significant leap forward in the restoration of Bushkill Creek's ecological health.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15123,15124"]
The ongoing restoration of Bushkill Creek is a testament to the dedication of over 20 stakeholders, including, but not limited to, Wildlands Conservancy, the Delaware River Basin Commission, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Princeton Hydro.
Funding for the projects has stemmed from various sources, including a settlement following a fly ash spill from the Martins Creek Power Plant in 2005. This settlement, coupled with contributions from organizations like NFWF’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and Northampton County’s Livable Landscapes program, propelled the initiative forward.
As we celebrate the start of removing Bushkill Creek Dam #2, we anticipate continued progress in the revitalization of this vital waterway. Each dam removed brings us closer to realizing the vision of a thriving, free-flowing Bushkill Creek, benefitting both the environment and local communities.
To read more about the dam removal successes on Bushkill Creek, click here. And, be sure to stay tuned for further updates!


Wildlands Conservancy, a non-profit land trust based in eastern Pennsylvania, is dedicated to the restoration of degraded stream and wildlife habitats, with a primary focus on the Lehigh Valley and the extensive Lehigh River watershed. Spanning 1,345 square miles, this watershed eventually merges with the Delaware River.
For over a decade, Princeton Hydro has been a steadfast partner to Wildlands Conservancy in their mission, collaborating on multiple dam removal projects in the Lehigh River Valley. With expertise in design, permitting, and oversight, Princeton Hydro has played a pivotal role in the removal of over 80 small and large dams/barriers across the Northeast.
To explore Princeton Hydro's comprehensive fish passage and dam removal engineering services, click here. For more information about Wildlands Conservancy and their conservation efforts, click here.

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Welcome to the latest edition of our Client Spotlight series, which provides an inside look at our collaboration, teamwork, and accomplishments with one of our client partners.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Riverkeeper, a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization headquartered in Ossining, New York. The organization is committed to protecting and restoring the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguarding drinking water supplies through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science, and law.
For this Client Spotlight, we spoke with Riverkeeper’s Senior Habitat Restoration Manager George Jackman, PhD via zoom:

Q. Tell us a little about Riverkeeper and what makes it unique?
A: We are the first Keeper organization in the world. We began in 1966 as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, an environmental watchdog and enforcement organization founded by a group of concerned fishermen. In 1986, we officially changed our name to Riverkeeper. We've helped set worldwide standards for waterway and watershed protection, and continue to serve as the model for more than 300 Keeper programs around the globe.
As New York’s clean water advocate, Riverkeeper is the unique voice in the Hudson Valley that is continually speaking-up to protect the integrity of the water, the creatures that call it home, and our surrounding communities. We are a voice of environmental justice for the people of Hudson Valley, advocating for communities that have often been marginalized or placed in disadvantaged situations that are now at the mercy of climate change. We are always striving for a fishable, swimmable, and drinkable Hudson River and a healthy watershed.
For historical photos and more info about Riverkeeper's origination, click here to view the "Riverkeeper: An Incomplete History" slideshow.



Q. What does your organization value?
A: We value clean, reliable drinking water and an equitable justice for all people. We value a healthy, ecologically-balanced environment and clean, sustainable forms of energy. We value free-flowing rivers that are resilient and teeming with life. We value stewardship of the Hudson River and its watershed. And, last but not least, we value all of our members, volunteers, partners, supporters, and neighbors who play a primary and vital role in protecting our local environment.




Q. What are some exciting things your organization is working on right now?
A: I have to tell you, some of the work we do is not incredibly exciting, but it's incredibly important.
We do a lot of work to strengthen the laws and regulations that impact New York’s water resources. We advocate for environmental justice, and we help our fellow community members understand the legislative process and how to get involved in garnering support for legislation that protects our Hudson River, its tributaries, our watershed, wetlands and surrounding areas. Strong environmental policy may not be the most exciting thing, but it is one of the best tools we have.
And, it is very exciting when we win. Riverkeeper has taken on some of the largest corporations on planet Earth - General Electric, General Motors, Exxon - and we've won! The work isn’t easy; sometimes it can be a long, persistent slog. But, you know what? We’ve stayed the course and we've prevailed. Every time we win for the fish, it’s a big win for all of us, and for me that’s incredibly exciting and fulfilling.
Click here to read Riverkeeper’s 2023 Legislative Agenda for New York State.



Q. Can you talk a little about the history behind the Riverkeeper and Princeton Hydro partnership and some of the milestone projects we’ve collaborated on: 
A:

[embed]https://youtu.be/HVJ6GBbq6jM[/embed]
The removal of the two defunct dams that George mentions in the video clip – Strooks Felt Dam and Furnace Brook Barrier #1 – marked an important milestone in the Riverkeeper’s journey to “Undam the Hudson River” and restore fish passage between the Hudson and the Atlantic Ocean. Click here to read more.




Q. How can people get involved in and help support the important work Riverkeeper is doing?
A:

[embed]https://youtu.be/rnDjgHMNLX4[/embed]
For more Riverkeeper volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, click here.




Q. Does Riverkeeper have community science opportunities available for the public to participate in?
A: We have a great citizen science water sampling program; it’s actually one of the first community science initiatives in the world related to sampling water.
It begins every April and volunteers have to commit to 6-months of water quality sampling. The samples are collected from the water’s edge by Riverkeeper-trained community scientists. We test for salinity, oxygen, temperature, suspended sediment, chlorophyll, and Enterococcus (Entero), a fecal indicator bacteria. It’s quite an unprecedented scope for a citizen science sampling initiative. We compile the data into “How’s the Water” reports and tributary watershed reports, and post them to our website.
One of the wonderful things about the citizen science program is that we’re working with younger generations, training them on how to take samples and make observations, and helping them learn about the river. We’re trying to create a deeper connection between the river and its surrounding community members, especially our younger groups, and teach everyone how to be stewards for the river and protect the rivers’ many creatures.
Click here to meet Riverkeeper’s water quality program science partners and supporters, and check out the data findings.




Q. Do you have anything else you’d like to share with our blog readers?
A: I’ll just close by saying, I’ve had a great experience working with Princeton Hydro. And, we look forward to Princeton Hydro bidding on future Riverkeeper projects, and hopefully working with them in the future.



A big thanks to George and Riverkeeper for taking part in our Client Spotlight Series!
To learn more about George and the important work he's doing with Riverkeeper, we invite you to read this article recently published in Planet A Magazine, "Channeling the Flow of Nature."
Click below to check out the previous edition of our Client Spotlight Series featuring Tim Fenchel, Deputy Director of Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area:

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Welcome to the latest edition of our Client Spotlight series, which provides an inside look at our collaboration, teamwork, and accomplishments with a specific client.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on the Seatuck Environmental Association. Seatuck Environmental Association is a 501c3 nonprofit based in Islip, New York. They work on wildlife conservation and nature education across Long Island. The organization advocates for wildlife and advancing conservation projects, engages community scientists in wildlife research, and offers environmental education opportunities for Long Islanders of all ages.
For this Client Spotlight, we spoke with Seatuck’s Conservation Policy Advocate Emily Hall via zoom:

Q. What is your primary role within Seatuck? 
[embed]https://youtu.be/SoAgRaypc4Q[/embed]
Q. What does Seatuck value?
Particularly in our conservation work, we really try to stay niche. We specifically focus on restoring and protecting Long Island’s wildlife and environment. We advocate for wildlife, advance restoration projects, conduct surveys, educate public officials, host workshops, lead coalitions and pursue a host of other approaches to promote wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.

Q. What makes the Seatuck Environmental Association unique?
Seatuck is really unique because we're one of the only environmental organizations that works island-wide and isn’t part of a national organization. This really gives us the opportunity to stay focused on Long Island’s wildlife and environment, and dive into a lot of different wildlife protection efforts as well as habitat restoration projects. We also offer nature-based education programs all the way from pre-k to professional teacher training.

Q. How long has Seatuck been working with Princeton Hydro?
We’ve been working with Princeton Hydro since 2018. Seatuck was awarded the NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources Grant for Tributary Restoration and Resiliency to design a fish passage at the dam intersecting Mill Pond and Bellmore Creek. We contracted Princeton Hydro to design the fish passage options. Read more about the project here:

Q. What are some key takeaways/highlights from the Bellmore Creek Fish Passage project?
[embed]https://youtu.be/E1oYOy9Y688[/embed]
Q. In what ways did you get the community involved in the Bellmore Creek Fish Passage Project?
As an organization, it’s very important for us to collaborate with the community on projects and initiatives, and to understand the perspectives of all the different stakeholders involved. For the Bellmore Creek Fish Passage Project, we brought together environmental organizations, community members and the dam owners. We began by holding in-person meetings and site visits in order to provide education around the site’s history and the project goals, and give everyone a chance to hear each other’s feedback in real-time. Then COVID forced us to go virtual so we hosted a community webinar and developed an online survey. We collected a lot of valuable feedback that we were able to bring back to the dam owners to help them make the best decision possible.

Q. Do you have a favorite or most memorable moment from the project?
Meeting with all the different stakeholders and talking to them about the project is probably one of my most rewarding parts of the project. Educating people on why these diadromous fish are important and helping them understand the different benefits of a fish passage is very important to me and incredibly rewarding.

Q. The Bellmore Creek project is part of a larger initiative called “Seatuck’s Long Island River Revival.” Can you talk more about that?
[embed]https://youtu.be/f5BV2u04Q5A[/embed]
Q. What connectivity and restoration project is coming up next for Seatuck?
[embed]https://youtu.be/wyRIHwMD5gE[/embed]

To learn more, click below to explore the River Revival Story Map:


Q. How can an individual get involved with Seatuck?
[embed]https://youtu.be/rT1CinT-xKs[/embed]
Q. How can Princeton Hydro support you/your organization in the future?
Princeton Hydro has been a fantastic partner through the Bellmore Creek Project. We look forward to working with Princeton Hydro in the future and supporting our efforts to look at different fish passage projects, potentially dam removals, and related alternative assessments. For Bellmore Creek, Princeton Hydro provided valuable insights as to the different types of fish passage options and helped to identify the best option for our community. We’ll hopefully continue this partnership and work together to restore the ecological health of more coastal rivers and streams.

Q. What excites you about going to work everyday?
[embed]https://youtu.be/YtuZLiqrYYs[/embed]

 
Thanks to Seatuck Environmental Association and Emily Hall for being a great project partner and participating in this Client Spotlight. To learn more about Seatuck, visit their website.
Click here to read a previous edition of our Client Spotlight blog series, which features Medford Lakes Colony in New Jersey:

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River herring are diadromous fish, which means they migrate between fresh and salt water. On Long Island in Nassau, New York, they migrate between Mill Pond Creek and the ocean, using Bellmore Creek as a highway. The river herring live much of their adult life in the ocean and travel to the freshwaters of Mill Pond Creek in order to spawn.
There is a dam located at the point where Bellmore Creek meets Mill Pond. When the water level isn’t high enough, the river herring can be blocked from swimming upstream to reach their spawning habitat. This not only has negative implications for river herring species, it also negatively impacts the entire ecosystem. The herring are a vital food source for countless other fish, birds and animals, and play a critical role in transferring marine derived nutrients into surrounding estuarine, freshwater and upland habitats.
River Herring have been documented at the base of the dam at Mill Pond for the past several migration seasons. Bellmore Creek is one of only two-dozen streams on Long Island where remnant runs of this ecologically valuable, diadromous fish still exist.
In 2018, Seatuck Environmental Association, a nonprofit dedicated to wildlife conservation on Long Island, was awarded the NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources Grant for Tributary Restoration and Resiliency to design a fish passage at the dam intersecting Mill Pond and Bellmore Creek. Seatuck contracted Princeton Hydro to design the fish passage options.
The project goals not only include increasing river herring spawning habitat, but also are focused on improving the ecological condition of Bellmore Creek, maintaining and enhancing recreational values, and improving site resiliency to climate change and sea level rise.
To provide guidance on the project, Seatuck assembled an advisory committee with representation from Nassau County (dam owner), New York State Office of Parks, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Nassau County Soil and Water District, Town of Hempstead, the South Shore Estuary Reserve, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, South Shore Audubon, and the Bellmore Civic Association.
Princeton Hydro conducted a study to understand the feasibility of enhancing fish passage to Mill Pond. The initial site investigation, in November 2020, included sediment probing and sampling, and a thorough assessment of the existing dam, spillway, water pipes, bridges and upper reaches. 

[gallery ids="10580,10579,10581"]

 

Based on its findings, the Princeton Hydro team developed three design options to restore fish passage:

 	
A nature-like fishway, where a channel made of boulders and concrete is constructed through the dam to mimic a natural, steep stream;
 	
A technical fishway, where a pre-fabricated metal fish ladder is placed within the spillway to allow fish to swim up and into the pond; and
 	
A full or partial dam removal, where the spillway is fully or partially removed and the pond is restored to a free-flowing stream and wetland complex.

On June 8 2021, Seatuck, Nassau County and Princeton Hydro held a virtual meeting to get the public’s input on each of the fish passage designs. Emily Hall, Conservation Policy Advocate for Seatuck, also put together an informative presentation in which she provides a synopsis of Bellmore Creek's history, describes the project goals, and discusses the community engagement process and the results of the public opinion survey. Watch it now:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvdWsI_3MIU[/embed]
Additionally, Princeton Hydro completed a site investigation including topographic survey, sediment probing and sampling, and assessment of structures to identify project opportunities and site constraints. Sediment sampling and analysis indicated no major concerns with contamination. By performing analysis of the longitudinal profile, Princeton Hydro determined that the full dam removal (option 3 listed above) was not recommended due to the potential for initiating uncontrolled channel incision below the original river grade into Mill Pond and upstream reaches.
Ultimately, the technical fish ladder (option 2 listed above) was chosen as the most appropriate solution for restoring fish passage to Mill Pond and maintaining existing recreational values. Princeton Hydro is currently developing preliminary engineering design plans for this selected alternative as part of this phase of the project.
The focus on Bellmore Creek is just one of many projects included in Seatuck’s River Revival program, which has sought to clear similarly blocked waterways across Long Island. If you’re interested in learning more about Seatuck’s conservation work and getting involved, click here.
Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen solutions for fish passage including the installation of technical and nature-like fishways and the removal of dozens of small and large dams throughout the Northeast. To learn more about our fish passage and dam removal engineering services, click here and check out our blog: Conservation Spotlight: Restoring Fish Passage on the Noroton River.
                    [post_title] => Bellmore Creek Fish Passage Project: Restoring Access to Critical Spawning Habitat
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Struggling fish species returns to spawning grounds for the first time in over a century, just months after dam removal completed
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.


[caption id="attachment_2294" align="aligncenter" width="1566"] A view of the Columbia Dam at the beginning of the removal process.[/caption]
“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.
Anglers are reminded, according to New Jersey fishing regulations, except for the Delaware River mainstem it is illegal to fish for shad in any fresh waters of New Jersey.
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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                    [post_title] => American Shad Discovered Just Miles Upstream of Former Columbia Dam
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As dams age and decay, they can become public safety hazards, presenting a failure risk and flooding danger. According to American Rivers, “more than 90,000 dams in the country are no longer serving the purpose that they were built to provide decades or centuries ago.” Dam removal has increasingly become the best option for property owners who can no longer afford the rising cost of maintenance and repair work required to maintain these complex structures.
Dams can also cause environmental issues such as blocking the movement of fish and other aquatic species, inundating river habitat, impairing water quality, and altering the flow necessary to sustain river life. Removing nonfunctional, outdated dams can bring a river back to its natural state and significantly increase biodiversity for the surrounding watershed.


[caption id="attachment_2620" align="alignleft" width="268"] A view from the site of the Heminway Pond Dam removal on July 19, 2018.[/caption]
Currently, work is underway in Watertown, Connecticut to remove the Heminway Pond Dam, which restricts fish passage in Steele Brook, creates a pond with increased water temperatures and high bacterial levels due to high geese populations, and encourages deposition of iron precipitate in the stream channel just downstream of the dam.
Princeton Hydro designed the engineering plans, managed permitting and is now overseeing construction for the removal project. The removal of the Heminway Pond Dam is identified as an integral component in addressing water quality impairment between the dam and Echo Lake Road.
CT DEEP recently published this piece encapsulating the Heminway Pond Dam removal project:

REMOVAL OF HEMINWAY POND DAM ON STEELE BROOK
IN WATERTOWN UNDERWAY

After almost 15 years of discussion and planning with the Town of Watertown and other partners, removal of Heminway Pond Dam on Steele Brook in Watertown finally got underway in early July.  Though no longer functional, the dam and pond were originally constructed to supply water for a former thread/string mill.  The Town acquired the dam and pond from the Siemon Company, the most recent owner, in 2007 with an eye towards removing the dam, restoring the river and converting the dewatered impoundment area into a passive recreation area, including an extension of the Steele Brook Greenway.  With these goals in mind, the Town approached CT DEEP for help with removal of the dam.
As it turns out, CT DEEP, has also had a strong interest in seeing this dam removed.  It is anticipated that dam removal will improve the hydrology in this section of Steele Brook and eliminate a water quality impairment which manifests itself during hot weather and low flow conditions, as an orange-colored plume of water (due to iron precipitate) immediately downstream of the dam that impacts aquatic life.  Dam removal would also benefit fisheries by restoring stream connectivity and habitat.
Working towards these mutual goals, CT DEEP was able to provide federal CWA 319 nonpoint source grant funding to USDA NRCS to develop a watershed-based plan for Steele Brook to address nonpoint source impairments that includes a dam removal feasibility analysis for Heminway Pond Dam.  Based on the recommendations in this plan, CT DEEP subsequently provided additional 319 grant funds to the Town of Watertown to hire a consultant to develop a dam removal design package, and assist with permitting and preparation.
With the Town of Watertown as a strong and vested partner, CT DEEP is now helping this project over the finish line by providing a combination of 319 and SEP funds to accomplish the actual dam removal and restoration of Steele Brook.  Dayton Construction Company is performing the construction and Princeton Hydro is the consultant overseeing the project on behalf of the Town.  The Northwest Conservation District is also assisting with the project.  It is anticipated that the majority of the work will be completed by this Fall.  U.S. EPA, ACOE and CT DEEP have all played active roles with regard to permitting the project.

 


Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the reconstruction, repair, and removal of dozens of small and large dams in the Northeast. Click here to read about a recent dam removal project the firm completed on the Moosup River.
Updated 2023: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency featured the Heminway Pond Dam Removal and Steele Brook Restoration project as a “Nonpoint Source Success Story.” Click here to read it now. And click below to watch the time lapse video footage of the removal and restoration of Heminway Pond Dam and Steele Brooke.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-X4W2YS3l0[/embed]
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                    [post_title] => Dam Removal Underway in Watertown, Connecticut
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Rivers are a critical natural resource and an essential element for the health and survival of billions of people and countless species. Flourishing populations of migratory fish are an important indicator of a healthy, coastally connected river and a robust aquatic ecosystem as a whole. Migratory fish help to maintain a balanced food web, support productive river systems, and provide income for people around the world.
Yet many migratory fish species are severely threatened primarily due to man-made obstacles like dams and weirs, which disrupt the natural flow of rivers and prevent fish migration. When fish can’t reach their habitat, they can’t reproduce and maintain their populations.

A new book, titled From Sea to Source 2.0, explores the challenges behind the restoration of fish migration in rivers around the world and provides a practical guide to promoting the protection and restoration of fish migration. The book is a unique collaboration of over 100 international fisheries professionals and supported by river managers, governments, research institutes, and NGOs including World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy. Geared toward practitioners, but also a wonderful resource for the general public, the book is comprised of inspiring stories from nearly every continent on the planet. Click here to download it for free.
“Ultimately our ambition is to contribute in a positive way to making a better world and a positive difference for migratory fish, nature and humans on local and global levels by inspiring new initiatives for and with people all around the world,” as stated on www.fromseatosource.com. “Whether the challenge is simply to increase access to spawning habitats through connectivity improvements for salmon, or to maintain the livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people dependent upon fish and fisheries in the great rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America, we hoped our book would help to achieve these goals.”
Princeton Hydro’s Dam Removal Expert Laura Wildman, P.E. and Fluvial Geomorphologist Paul Woodworth are proud contributors to the book, helping to write the dam removal chapter, creating a dam removal flow chart for the book, and providing multiple photos utilized in the book. Princeton Hydro is also listed as a contributing sponsor.
“We’re so proud to be part of this incredible project with so many partners globally," said Wildman. "We envision that this book will provide a valuable resource and inspiration for those in countries and regions where the importance of restoring riverine connectivity is newly gaining momentum. We hope it will help emphasize the importance of finding balanced and environmentally informed solutions when proposing additional utilization of public trust resources such as rivers.”
Approximately 40% of all fish species in the world reside in freshwater ecosystems, contributing economic and ecological benefits and value. It’s critical that we support efforts that aim to protect migratory fish species, reconnect rivers, sustain fish passage, and preserve free-flowing rivers by removing unnecessary dams, reconnecting floodplains, managing our water use, and managing hydropower for sustainable rivers.
Education and awareness building are key first steps in protecting rivers. From Sea to Source 2.0 seeks to inform, educate, and inspire those who want to know more about how to meet the challenges of restoring fish migration in rivers around the world.  The book is regarded as a crucial resource in the ongoing fight to protect and preserve the enormous value of our waterways.
Get your free copy here.

Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the reconstruction, repair, and removal of 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.
                    [post_title] => New Book Aims to Protect and Restore Fish Migrations
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                    [post_content] => As Brazil is in the midst of a dam-building boom, scientists and engineers gathered at a workshop in Brazil to discuss, “Dam Removal & Optimizing Hydro Locations to Benefit Species Diversity in Brazil.”

Laura Wildman, P.E., Water Resources and Fisheries Engineer and Director of Princeton Hydro’s New England Regional Office, was invited to speak at the workshop. Her presentation focused on why we remove dams in the U.S. (the key drivers), how we analyze them for removal, and what we are learning through a wide diversity of completed case studies.
“It was fascinating to discuss a topic, such as the removal of dams, right as Brazil is focusing on building more hydro capacity,” said Laura. “Hopefully it is a sign that the hydro industry in Brazil, along with all the great Brazilian fisheries researchers, are quite forward thinking and are determined to maintain their country's rich species diversity while also enhancing their energy options.”
The workshop, hosted by CEMIG and held at UFMG, involved many universities, including our workshop host Paulo Pompeu from UFLA, Dr. Paul Kemp from University of Southhampton, Dr. Jesse O'Hanley of Kent Business School, and many others.
The gathering inspired a lot of interesting dialogue around dam removal, optimizing locations for new hydro facilities, and how to best sustain connectivity and species diversity. Laura’s presentation entitled "Dam removal in the United States" along with the other conference presentations will be available on the CEMIG website soon or check back here on the Princeton Hydro blog for presentation links.
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The removal of Bushkill Creek Dam #2 is now underway, marking yet another remarkable milestone in the rejuvenation of this treasured limestone stream. This achievement comes on the heels of four successfully completed dam removals since 2021, highlighting the swift progress in the revitalization efforts for Bushkill Creek.
This latest endeavor holds immense significance in facilitating the passage of migratory fish species, such as alewife and American shad, to vital upstream spawning grounds. It contributes to the recovery of ecologically-beneficial freshwater mussels and the bolstering of populations of trout and other resident fish species. And, it marks another important step in returning Bushkill Creek to its natural, free-flowing state.
During a recent site visit, Princeton Hydro President and Founding Principal Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E. took a moment to reflect on the years of hard work that have culminated in this significant milestone. Watch now:
[embed]https://youtu.be/bZs0jn6dBcQ[/embed]

 
In 2022, Wildlands Conservancy enlisted the expertise of Princeton Hydro to embark on a mission to remove four dams along Bushkill Creek. The successful removal of the Crayola Dam, also known as Dam #4, marked the beginning of this transformative journey. Subsequently, in 2023, Dams #1 and #3 were dismantled. Now, we celebrate the commencement of the removal of Dam #2.
The map below shows the locations of all four dam removal locations on the Bushkill Creek:


Bushkill Creek flows 22-miles through agricultural and suburban landscape before converging with the Delaware River. Dam #2, situated upstream from the Creek’s confluence with the Delaware River, obstructed fish passage, exacerbated local flooding, and degraded water quality, much like its counterparts. Its removal represents a significant leap forward in the restoration of Bushkill Creek's ecological health.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="15123,15124"]
The ongoing restoration of Bushkill Creek is a testament to the dedication of over 20 stakeholders, including, but not limited to, Wildlands Conservancy, the Delaware River Basin Commission, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Princeton Hydro.
Funding for the projects has stemmed from various sources, including a settlement following a fly ash spill from the Martins Creek Power Plant in 2005. This settlement, coupled with contributions from organizations like NFWF’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and Northampton County’s Livable Landscapes program, propelled the initiative forward.
As we celebrate the start of removing Bushkill Creek Dam #2, we anticipate continued progress in the revitalization of this vital waterway. Each dam removed brings us closer to realizing the vision of a thriving, free-flowing Bushkill Creek, benefitting both the environment and local communities.
To read more about the dam removal successes on Bushkill Creek, click here. And, be sure to stay tuned for further updates!


Wildlands Conservancy, a non-profit land trust based in eastern Pennsylvania, is dedicated to the restoration of degraded stream and wildlife habitats, with a primary focus on the Lehigh Valley and the extensive Lehigh River watershed. Spanning 1,345 square miles, this watershed eventually merges with the Delaware River.
For over a decade, Princeton Hydro has been a steadfast partner to Wildlands Conservancy in their mission, collaborating on multiple dam removal projects in the Lehigh River Valley. With expertise in design, permitting, and oversight, Princeton Hydro has played a pivotal role in the removal of over 80 small and large dams/barriers across the Northeast.
To explore Princeton Hydro's comprehensive fish passage and dam removal engineering services, click here. For more information about Wildlands Conservancy and their conservation efforts, click here.

            [post_title] => Bushkill Creek's Journey Continues: Celebrating the Fourth Dam Removal in Three Years
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