States
MassachusettsThe High Street Dam was the most downstream barrier to migratory fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.
Learn more about fish passage on the Town River in the Taunton River watershed of southeast Massachusetts, blocking otherwise open passage to Narragansett Bay and the ocean. The dam was an aging and obsolete structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
Learn more about structure that posed a risk to public safety. This project removed the High Street Dam and restored the river banks. Removal of the dam reconnects 10 miles of river for the benefit of alewife, blueback herring, American eel, sea lamprey, and American shad, and opens access to 354 acres of spawning habitat for river herring at Lake Nippenicket.
Quick Facts:
| Project Status | Complete |
| Location | MA, Plymouth |
| NFPP Project Funding | $1,550,000 |
| Restoration Techniques | Dam removal |
| Accomplishments | 10 Stream Miles Reopened |
| Project Partner Lead | Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration |
| Primary Species Benefited | Blueback Herring |
The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success.
Implemented primarily through the Service's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, the National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance to partners across the country. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. Staff have expertise in fish migration and biology as well as financial, engineering, and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, and landowners to help them remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people.
Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.)
CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED.
