“Dam Removal: Science and Decision Making”

Dams are common features of the American landscape and waterscape, forming an integral part of the infrastructure that contributes to the nation’s collective economic and social welfare. Interest in dam removal is a recent outcome of the aging of many structures, evolving societal values, and increasing scientific knowledge about changes brought about by dams.

“Dam Removal: Science and Decision Making”, a report of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, outlines the current state of research and knowledge related to dam removal and recommends steps and indicators for decision-making. The report is designed to provide background information to dam owners faced with the decision of whether or not to remove a dam. A key premise of this study is that better decisions will be made about whether to retain or remove a dam if the process is logical, defensible, and organized.

Dam removal decisions require careful planning and review. Decisions about dam removal also take place in specific economic and social contexts that need to be taken into account. This report outlines the nature of environmental, economic, and social outcomes of dam removal; defines indicators for measuring and monitoring outcomes; and provides sources of useful information on dam removal for researchers and decision makers.

Established in December 1995 in honor of Senator John Heinz, the Heinz Center is a nonprofit institution dedicated to improving the scientific and economic foundation for environmental policy through multisectoral collaboration. Focusing on issues that are likely to confront policy makers within two to five years, the Center creates and fosters collaboration among industry, environ-mental organizations, academia, and government in each of its program areas and projects. The membership of the Center’s Board of Trustees, its steering committees, and all its committees and working groups reflects its guiding philosophy: that all relevant parties must be involved if the complex issues surrounding environmental policy making are to be resolved. Copies of this report maybe obtained by contacting the Heinz Center, please visit www.heinzctr.org or call 202-737-6307.