Habitat Monitoring After Dam Removal

A monitoring study by Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD) aimed to assess how a river system in northwestern Vermont responded to a dam removal over the following four years.

Researchers monitored the Johnsons Mill Dam removal site in northwestern Vermont over four field seasons, documenting how the river evolved after the dam was removed and how sediment moved naturally through the system, given that a minimal amount had been removed prior to the dam removal.

The project team tracked changes in the stream channel, floodplain, vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and sediment movement as the river gradually re-established a more natural form. The resulting data provided important insight into how streams adjust over time and move toward a stable equilibrium following restoration.

The project also identified best practices for future monitoring efforts, including the importance of collecting consistent baseline data before restoration, focusing on key indicators such as sediment transport, monitoring beyond the immediate project footprint, and planning for long-term data collection. Lessons learned from this work have already shaped monitoring plans for other Vermont dam removal projects, helping improve restoration strategies throughout the region.

In addition to advancing restoration science, the project shared its findings with state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and the public through presentations, outreach events, and educational materials. By improving understanding of river recovery following dam removal, this work will help guide future projects that enhance aquatic habitat, strengthen flood resilience, improve water quality, and support healthy fish and wildlife populations throughout the Lake Champlain Basin.