News  Small Dams Have Large Impacts on Water Quality

Good water quality is essential for a healthy stream. Too-high temperatures and too-low oxygen levels can cause substantial harm to important stream wildlife. Dams and their impoundments (the body of water created behind a dam) can impact water quality of the streams on which they are located, but little is known about how small dams might impact water quality. From 2014 to 2016, DER-supported scientists conducted a study to better understand the implications of small dams on water quality and inform future stream restoration efforts.

DER's new webpage, Small Dams Have Large Impacts on Water Quality, provides an overview of the information this study provides and starts to dive into the topic of water quality related to small dams. 

Learn more at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/small-dams-have-large-impacts-on-water-quality