Summary: 2023 U.S. Dam Removals - 2023 Dam Removal Summary Statistics

Working together, the project partners made the park and river safer and more accessible for the community while improving the health of the river. [...] The removal project included measures to protect archaeological resources, removal of sediment upstream of the dam, removal of the dam minus the abutments supporting the mill building, removal of the stacked-stone grist mill foundation, stabilizing the banks upstream, and planting a native tree buffer. [...] As a head-of-tide dam and first significant barrier along the mainstem of the Ipswich River, the Ipswich Mills Dam has interrupted the ecology of the river for almost 400 years. [...] This project would increase the climate resiliency of a river in need and be a triumph and testament to the hard work and dedication of the community, local and state government, and the multitude of organizations who have contributed to advancing this project. [...] The goal of the project was to reconnect the stream to the headwaters at Jacobs Pond, which would result in a total of 9.7 miles of stream opened between the three dam removals and access to 59 acres of habitat.