Dam+Removal

Dam removal is a hot topic around the globe. Naturalists will argue for removal based on the health of an ecosystem. Economists will lobby for whatever option is cheapest. According the Michigan Department of Natural Resources it is often times more costly to repair dams than it is to remove them. They state this is particularly true for older dams. There are 3 main factors that should be considered priority when considering whether or not to remove or repair a damn. They are listed by the DNR as "1) the cost of maintenance and repair when the benefits of maintaining a dam are diminished; 2) public safety and liability concerns, and 3) potential fisheries, water quality and recreational use improvements that can be realized with dam removal."

According to the DNR those 3 factors are the most important and should be the determining factors. In our particular case with our class video the removal of the dam seems very optimal. The proposed plan would provide recreational activities including kayaking and canoes. The fisheries would benefit, however runoff would be a new problem that would have to be properly addressed during construction and development. Overall however this would bring in more fisherman and would also create jobs.

As far as costs go, each dam is different and some removal projects are as simple as using a bulldozer, while others can take years of planning and careful removal. Here is a link that shows the removal of a very basic dam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDArQ3yeKv8

Overall each dam removal case should be reviewed and all factors should be considered when making a decision. Sometimes it's a positive experience and other times the dam is better off left alone. If a dam is doing something productive like generating power or helping to block a migrating invasive species, than removal cannot be considered an option. In other cases though, it is very beneficial to both nature, human interactions and economics to just go ahead and remove that dam already.

Resources: http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/Fishing/dams/DamRemovalGuidelinesForOwners.pdf