Pennsylvania is a leader in improving river health by removing outdated dams, having removed 433 since 1912, including 14 in 2022. In 2025, nationwide efforts restored 4,900 miles of rivers. Jessie Thomas-Blate from American Rivers noted that dam removals serve ecological, safety, and structural reasons, with over a quarter being hazardous low-head dams. Tools like the Chesapeake Fish Passage Prioritization Tool help identify priority dams for removal based on ecological benefits. Resources such as AquaticBarriers.org provide inventory data to assess dam safety and infrastructure value. This initiative promotes healthier rivers and sustainable communities.
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