The Legacy of Dams on the New River

Dams in the New River basin because of age or operations have legacy effects that are readily evident today. Reservoirs created by dam construction served as sediment traps for fine and coarse sediments. The reservoirs change over time and support a distinct fish assemblage. Reduced sediment transport creates localized sediment-starved reaches immediately downstream. The barriers create difficulties for recreational boaters requiring portage. Dams interrupt life cycles of certain fish and mollusk populations, creating localized extirpations. The legacy effects create issues for various management entities. Though many dams are past their original planned lifespan, they still operate and are now considered the “new normal” as communities have formed attachment to the newly created land and waterscapes. Innovative strategies, short of dam removal, may be needed on site-specific basis.