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The Pioneer Street Dam on the Winooski River in Montpelier in August 2025. File photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger<\/p>\nThe Pioneer Street Dam on the Winooski River in Montpelier in August 2025. File photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger<\/p>\n
This story by Heather Koontz was first published<\/a> in The Bridge on April 20, 2026.<\/p>\n Could Montpelier lower the water level in the Winooski River, diminishing flood potential while also opening the possibility for a downtown water park? Freshwater advocates, conservationists and engineers gathered to discuss this, and more, during an April 15 event called \u201cAfter the Dams: A Community Conversation on Dam Removals, Flood Resilience, and River Recreation,\u201d co-hosted by the city of Montpelier, the Foundation for a Resilient Montpelier and the Vermont River Conservancy.<\/p>\n Participants discussed several Montpelier dams identified for removal, viewed renderings of proposed restructurings and heard ideas for river recreation that could bring an economic boost to the city.<\/p>\n Jon Copans, executive director of the Foundation for a Resilient Montpelier, started the discussion by reminding community members that there is no single solution to preventing major flooding events. However, taking a variety of steps and working with partners can help make the city more resilient.<\/p>\n Benefits of dam removal<\/p>\n Visibility around the importance of dam removal for the health of Vermont\u2019s water has grown in recent years. In fact, 2025 was a record year for reconnecting rivers with the removal of nine Vermont dams in one summer \u2014 the most planned removals ever completed in a single year in the state.<\/p>\n Now, Montpelier looks to add to that number. Through feasibility studies and sustainability research, SLR Consulting has identified four old dams in Montpelier that could be removed and restructured to improve the flow of the river.<\/p>\n Roy Schiff, an SLR water resources engineer and a Montpelier resident, explained that these four dams \u2014 like the roughly 2,000 other dams across the state of Vermont \u2014 are old mill dams no longer useful, but they cause a host of issues.<\/p>\n \u201cThese small dams all elevate flood levels,\u201d Schiff said. \u201cThey degrade water quality and stack up sediment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Additionally, old dams restrict movement of fish and other wildlife, increase maintenance costs, pose safety risks and restrict public access to in-river recreation.<\/p>\n Schiff was clear that removing Montpelier\u2019s four smaller dams will not eliminate the risk of major flooding events like the city experienced in 2023. However, removing the dams will lower individual water contribution amounts should a significant flood occur. And with the number of dams that could eventually be removed, that individual continuation may add up.<\/p>\n Four selected sites<\/p>\n The dam sites, which the SLR team began studying in 2023 to measure sediment depth, have been identified and hark back to the days of the historic mill industry.<\/p>\n Bailey Dam (a.k.a. Shaw\u2019s Dam): This is a concrete dam and spillway founded on bedrock. The plan is to remove all concrete down to the bedrock and then remove approximately 34,000 cubic square feet of sediment upstream of the spillway. The team would leave portions of the concrete in place to support the land on either side and add stone around the base for additional support.<\/p>\n Trestle Dam (a.k.a. Rat Dam): Located on the other side of Shaws Supermarket under the pedestrian bridge, this concrete dam sits on bedrock and is made of concrete. The plan is to remove the concrete down to the bedrock. The contaminated sediment would be removed and would disposed of off-site.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pioneer Street: Originally a timber dam, and later concrete, the plan is to remove both portions, dig out sediment and leave concrete with stone on each side to protect nearby buildings. Removal should drop the water level by two feet.<\/p>\n Hidden Dam: This dam is located at the end of the bike path, upstream from the big hydro dam, with coarse sediment; the plan is to remove concrete but leave some to maintain access to the river for recreation. While this doesn\u2019t affect urban areas, it would drop the water level by six feet.<\/p>\n When it comes to removal of these dams, time is of the essence. Schiff said that while last year\u2019s record-breaking removal number should be celebrated, it\u2019s worth noting that Vermont also experienced record dam failures \u2014 a growing common occurrence in New England.\u00a0<\/p>\n The SLR team said the design process will continue through summer, followed by permit applications. They anticipate FEMA funding will be applied to two of the selected sites.\u00a0<\/p>\n What happens after removal<\/p>\n In addition to providing benefits to wildlife and the environment, removing old dams adds to the potential for in-river recreation \u2014 such as fishing, swimming and boating. However, Marty Parichand encouraged community members not to stop there.\u00a0<\/p>\n Parichand is the owner of Outdoor New England, an outdoor recreation store in downtown Franklin, New Hampshire. He is also the founder of Mill City Park, New England\u2019s first whitewater park. The park operates on the Winnipesaukee River in Franklin and features kayaking, surfing, and boogie boarding.<\/p>\n According to Parichand, in-river reaction creates a sense of place, provides a dynamic environment, helps fuel the local economy and makes the community stand out. For Montpelier, a town surrounded by areas known for outdoor recreation, a unique riverside park could help it stand out, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cMontpelier as a whole is not the town associated with outdoor recreation in Vermont,\u201d Parichand said. \u201cYou do have a lot of amenities, you have a lot of infrastructure, capacity and connection to downtown, and accessibility, but when you think about outdoor recreation, Montpelier doesn\u2019t come to mind yet.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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