The United States removed 100 outdated dams across 30 states in 2025, reconnecting more than 4,893 miles of rivers, according to a report by American Rivers. The achievement marked a record for the number of upstream river miles restored through dam removals in a single year.
The projects have helped restore natural river flows, reopen habitats for fish and wildlife and address safety concerns linked to ageing infrastructure. Pennsylvania recorded the highest number of removals, with 14 dams taken down, followed by Massachusetts with 11 and Vermont with nine.
Ecological restoration was the most common reason for the projects, cited in 59 cases, while deteriorating structures accounted for 37 removals. Safety concerns were also involved in 20 projects.
Several removals have already produced significant ecological benefits. In Iowa, the removal of Forest City Dam reconnected 99 upstream miles for fish passage. In Maine, removing Mill Pond Dam opened access to 75 miles of stream and thousands of acres of spawning habitat.
Some projects also involved Indigenous communities and helped restore culturally important waterways.
American Rivers is now seeking to expand the effort, with a goal of removing 30,000 dams across the US by 2050.