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News  The Tel-Electric Dam Removal Starts Construction

City of Pittsfield will be starting work on the removal of the Tel-Electric Dam
8/27/2019
  • Division of Ecological Restoration
Three images of the Tel-electric dam site - the dam, a sign that reads danger and graffitti.

The City of Pittsfield will start work for the removal of the Tel-Electric Dam (also known as the Mill Street Dam) and the revitalization of the West Branch Housatonic River.

The dam is located on the west branch of the Housatonic River within a developed mill complex at 105 Hawthorne Ave. The project’s goal is to protect surrounding infrastructure, eliminate a public safety hazard, and reduce area flooding. It will restore river ecological conditions by removing a barrier to fish and wildlife movement, improve water quality, and dredge polluted sediments.

Support for this project comes from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Restoration and Damage Assessment, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Dam and Seawall Repair and Removal Program, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the MASubCouncil of the Housatonic River Trustee Council, in addition to contributions from the City, the dam owner and DER.

For more information about the project, you can watch a video that features City staff, the dam owners, and local partners and reasons for removing this dam.

Image: Removal of the Tel-Electric Dam will revitalize a neighborhood and improve ecological condition.

  • Division of Ecological Restoration 

    DER restores and protects rivers, wetlands, and watersheds in Massachusetts for the benefit of people and the environment.
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