Grassroots Profile
Dam Evaluation in
New York’s Lake Ontario Basin
By Chris Stephens, New York Rivers United
Human attributes have altered The
Great Lakes Basin ecosystem since
human settlement, particularly in this
most recent century of accelerated
human population growth and
economic development. Increasing
human influences in the Basin have
caused flow conditions in many rivers to
fluctuate outside their natural range of
variability.
Among the human influences affecting
the natural flow of rivers include dams
built for hydroelectric power, flood
control, irrigation, and water supply.
These dams significantly alter the
riverine habitat and their riparian zones.
Today, some of the thousands of dams in
New York, especially along the Great
Lakes Basin, are aging beyond their
expected lifespan, and some are causing
a variety of safety, environmental, and
other problems.
All dams exact heavy tolls on rivers and
river life.Since there are more than 6,000
such dams in New York, virtually all of
New York State’s 17 major watersheds are
fragmented and their health degraded
by these dams. Dam removal can restore
a river’s natural values and open recreational
and aesthetic opportunities.
New York Rivers United has received
funding from the U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes
National Program Office to perform an
assessment of barrier impacts on rivers.
This is to determine which dam removal
or upstream fish passage in the U.S. Lake
Ontario Basin tributaries would provide
sustainable habitat for fish and wildlife.
The recommendations from this effort
will serve as the primary basis for
prioritizing U.S. tributaries for new fish
passage improvement projects and will
identify priority dams for future actions.
While looking at dams on the Grasse
River, a tributary to the St. Lawrence in
northern New York, New York Rivers
United became involved with two other
issues on this tributary: the ongoing
PCB contaminants and the review of
EPA-ordered alternatives. New York
Rivers United is working alongside the St.
Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment
Division to maintain the “free flowing
state” as well as its natural beauty.
The second issue is entangled in the first:
a new hydro facility has obtained a
preliminary permit. It is on a site that
was once dammed but has been
free-flowing for the last eight years. Fish
passage is a major issue with any new
dam and because of these issues,
the Grasse River has been nominated as
one of America’s most endangered rivers
in need of protection.
For more information:
New York Rivers United
(315) 339-2097
chris@newyorkriversunited.org
Disclaimer:
The interpretations and conclusions presented in this newsletter represent the opinions of the individual authors. They in no way represent the views of the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, the C.S. Mott Foundation, subscribers, donors, or any organization mentioned in this publication.
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