Why America Is Removing Thousands of Dams and Letting Rivers Run Free
From The Observatory
The United States has more than 550,000 dams, which have changed rivers and harmed wildlife for centuries. Dams block fish from reaching important habitats, stop sediment from nourishing riverbanks and coasts, and create warm, slow-moving water that can be deadly for some species. Many rivers have lost much of their natural flow, and freshwater animals like fish and mussels are in danger, with dozens of species already extinct.
Building dams was once seen as progress. Early settlers and later Americans built dams to power mills, produce electricity, irrigate farmland, and provide drinking water. Big projects like the Hoover Dam and Grand Coulee Dam shaped the West and symbolized American growth. But while dams provided benefits, they also caused environmental and cultural harm. They flooded sacred lands, destroyed fishing sites, and hurt Indigenous communities who relied on rivers for food and ceremony.
In recent decades, people have begun removing dams to restore rivers. Over 2,200 dams have been removed in the U.S., many in the last 25 years. Removing dams can improve ecosystems, help fish populations recover, reduce flooding risks, and reconnect people with nature. It also makes rivers safer for communities, especially as many dams are old and in poor condition.
Dam removal is not about eliminating all dams. Many are still necessary for power, water, and recreation. But thousands are obsolete, unsafe, or no longer useful. Groups like American Rivers aim to remove tens of thousands more dams by 2050 to reopen hundreds of thousands of river miles. The movement brings together tribes, environmentalists, scientists, and even some parts of the hydropower industry. \
Freeing rivers is about more than just water. It is a way to restore ecosystems, protect communities, honor Indigenous rights, and remember what healthy rivers can look and feel like. As Americans continue to rethink the future of their rivers, removing unnecessary dams is helping rivers, wildlife, and people flourish together.
Read the full article “Why America Is Removing Thousands of Dams and Letting Rivers Run Free” by Tara Lohan
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
