Hughesville Dam Removal (2017)
FORMER LOCATION: The Hughesville Dam was located just downstream of the Route 519 bridge in Warren Glen, Holland Township Hunterdon County and Pohatcong Township in Warren County.
BACKGROUND: The Hughesville dam which was a run-of-the-river dam approximately 15 feet high was removed Summer 2016. Prior to the removal, the accumulated sediment behind the dam was suctioned dredged and discharged into nearby settling lagoons. In Mid -July 2016, the dam was breached a little at a time with dam materials removed. The stream channel above and below the site have been restored to a natural condition with pools and riffles, and the river banks stabilized with rocks and coir matting.
BENEFIT: After a 250+ year absence, American shad have returned to the Musconetcong River in Hunterdon and Warren counties! This milestone in the ecological recovery of the river is the result of the removal of dams on the lower Musconetcong several years ago, followed by the removal of the Hughesville Dam. Read the NJDEP News Release
Removing the dams opened nearly six miles of the Musconetcong to migratory fish, such as American shad, that spend much of their lives in the ocean but return to rivers and their tributaries to spawn. The shad’s return is a good sign of the overall ecological health and diversity of the river. Other benefits of the dam removal include elimination of a public drowning hazard, safe passage for recreational boats and overall improved water quality of the river.
PARTNERSHIPS: Musconetcong Watershed Association, Musconetcong River Restoration Partnership, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish America Foundation/NOAA, Conservation Resources Inc., and the Watershed Institute.
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