Kleinschmidt leveraged our deep expertise in dam removal and fish passage, as well as the client’s local connections, to develop a practical approach to dam removal that re-purposed most of the dam as shoreline protection and maintained the downstream utility crossing. Kleinschmidt worked with BRRT to evaluate the anticipated changes in hydrology in the impoundment and in the vicinity of the dam itself. After completing a wetland delineation; consulting the upstream bridge owner, dam owner, and downstream utility owner; and developing preliminary designs, Kleinschmidt supported BRRT through the federal and state permitting process. During construction, Kleinschmidt continued consultation with BRRT and the contractor to support implementation of the design objective and respond to conditions found during the removal of this obsolete dam.

Kleinschmidt recommended early engagement with a contractor to evaluate constructability and establish budgets for the dam removal early in the project. This provided clarity for this NGO to seek grant funding and plan for the implementation of the design. Additionally, Kleinschmidt worked with BRRT to evaluate fish passage at the four downstream dams, to provide a river-wide understanding of how this removal fits into their larger mission of restoring fish passage on this reach of river.