Overview
There are more than 3,000 dams in Massachusetts. However, few of them still serve their original purpose, and many are in poor condition. Dams artificially hold back water and change the way a river functions. They trap sediment and create stagnant conditions with warmer water and lower dissolved oxygen than the rest of the river system. Dams also block the movement of fish and invertebrates that need to access different areas of the watershed and different habitats during their life cycle. There is a growing movement throughout the state to remove aging dams that have outlived their original purpose.
The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is planning to remove the Salmon Brook Dam, which it owns, to fulfill the following goals:
- Remove aging infrastructure to reduce safety risks for users of the Quaboag Wildlife Management Area and reduce potential for flooding,
- Improve water quality and restore the natural river flow,
- Improve aquatic habitats for fish and other aquatic life,
- Improve outdoor recreation opportunities within the surrounding Quaboag Wildlife Management Area also owned and managed by MassWildlife, and
- Eliminate the costs associated with ongoing repairs and maintenance.
The project will be carried out in partnership with multiple state and federal agencies. The project will be funded by $200,000 from the In-Lieu Fee Program. Salmon Brook lies within the Quabbin Reservior/Worcester Plateau In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Service Area. The remaining funds will be provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Project summary
Quick Facts
- Watershed: Chicopee River
- Project Location: Brookfield, MA (see location)
- Project timeline: Construction will begin in 2025 and will be completed by 2026
The Salmon Brook Dam in Brookfield, MA is located on Salmon Brook, which flows into the Quaboag River. The dam is about 5 feet high and was built using earth and concrete. Because the dam is small and does not hold much water back, it is not regulated by the Office of Dam Safety. The area upstream of the dam is surrounded by high quality wildlife habitat and lies within the Quaboag Wildlife Management Area. The original construction date and purpose of the dam are not known. The proposed Salmon Brook Dam Removal Project involves removal of Salmon Brook Dam, a smaller rockdam downstream, and a stone culvert that allows Salmon Brook to flow under a trail.
After the project is completed, the site will include an unobstructed stream and areas of wetlands. Restoring the stream channel and connection to the Quaboag River will improve habitat for fish and other aquatic species. There are 18 species of fish and 4 species of mussels in this part of the Quaboag River. Eight of the fish species and 2 of the mussel species are designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Massachusetts Wildlife Action Plan. Restoring connectivity will benefit American eel and white sucker—two species that use different parts of streams and rivers during different stages in their lives. Flowing water provides good habitat for fish including fallfish, tessellated darters, longnose dace, and blacknose dace.
MEPA review
This project is being designed as an Ecological Restoration Project, which means the primary purpose is to restore or otherwise improve the natural capacity of the environment. The project review process will start with the filing of a Notice of Ecological Restoration Project form with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office. The state-level MEPA process allows for coordinated state-agency review of projects and meaningful opportunities for public comment.
The project will also be reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Town of Brookfield Conservation Commission.
Outreach and public meetings
Salmon Brook Dam Removal Project Virtual Information Meeting
January 30, 6–6:40 p.m. | Click here to join the Zoom meeting
Contact
Questions about this project?
Contact Todd Olanyk, MassWildlife's Central District Supervisor, at todd.olanyk@mass.gov or 508-835-3607.