Dam removals reconnect 4,900 miles of US waterways in 2025
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 7
Dam removals reconnect 4,900 miles of US waterways in 2025
5 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 7
American Rivers said more than 100 dams were dismantled in 30 states, including two on Pennsylvania's Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, reopening 156 miles there.
Bedford removed its 50-year-old dams last summer after EPA warnings they needed repair, replacement or removal, with officials saying the river is cleaner and freshwater clams have returned.
The record pace reflects a wider push to remove ageing barriers that trap debris, worsen flooding and block migratory fish, creating healthier, cooler rivers less vulnerable to algal blooms.
The US built dams for 200 years; can the 'undamming' movement reverse the damage?
A year after 2025's record dam removals, what are the unforeseen consequences?
As 'deadbeat dams' disappear, are local economies booming from newly freed rivers?
Record 100 Dams Removed in 2025 Reconnects Nearly 4,900 Miles of U.S. Rivers
Overview
In 2025, conservation efforts removed 100 dams across 30 states, reconnecting nearly 4,900 miles of river habitat. This milestone enhanced public safety by eliminating dangerous low-head dams and triggered swift ecological benefits, allowing fish and wildlife to access blocked habitats. The removals also boosted river recreation economies and generated direct economic output and jobs. Key drivers included aging infrastructure, climate change increasing flood risks, and shifting political focus away from building new dams toward removal and nature-based solutions. State policies, like Vermont's Flood Safety Act and programs in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, supported these efforts. This success set the stage for a national goal to remove 30,000 dams by 2050, aiming to further restore rivers and communities.