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When a dam is removed, what happens to all the sediment that has built up behind it?
That question was the focus of a recent Dam Busters webinar led by Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, President of Princeton Hydro and an internationally recognized expert in dam removal and river restoration.
During the session, Geoff shared insights on how sediment behaves during dam removal projects, how it accumulates behind dams, and how different materials such as sand, silt, and organic matter respond once the dam is removed. He also discussed the methods practitioners use to estimate how much sediment is likely to move, how quickly it will travel, and the risks it may pose downstream, along with the practical decisions project teams face, including when to rely on natural processes, when intervention is needed, and how to design a strategy that balances ecological benefits, cost, and potential impacts.
Click here to watch the full webinar and explore the slide deck and additional resources.
During the webinar, Geoff highlighted a real-world example of a dam removal project that required careful sediment management: the Paulina Lake Dam removal on the Paulins Kill River in New Jersey. For this project, the team implemented a phased dam breach, gradually lowering water levels to control the release of sediment and allow the river to begin forming its new channel. A portion of the sediment, particularly the highly organic material near the dam, was actively removed to prevent downstream impacts, while the rest was allowed to mobilize naturally.
To learn more about the Paulina Lake Dam removal project and see the transformation in action, click here to read our blog.
Dam Busters is an initiative created by the Mass Rivers Alliance in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration and the Charles River Watershed Association. Its mission is to provide dam removal stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully support and implement projects.
The program offers expert-led webinars with live Q&A, technical resources and guidance, site visits and hands-on learning opportunities, and in-person workshops and conferences. Whether new to dam removal or actively working in the field, Dam Busters provides valuable, expert-driven insights to help guide dam removal efforts.
Click here to learn more and get involved.
Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, a founding partner and the President of Princeton Hydro, has over 35 years of experience in water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, and river restoration. He is widely recognized for advancing innovative and effective approaches to river restoration.
Geoff holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University, a Master of Engineering Management from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in 11 states. He pioneered dam removals for the purposes of fish passage in New Jersey and has overseen more than 50 dam removal designs. His understanding of sedimentation mechanisms and management of sediment behind impoundments has been instrumental in managing the mitigation of environmental impacts during and after demolition of river and stream obstructions. Click here to learn more about Geoff.
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