State Pays for Studies of Possible Dam Removals in Groveland, Lawrence

Dam removal preliminary design studies help dam owners assess risks and opportunities. The Cochichewick River Dam in North Andover, above, was assessed in 2023. (Courtesy photograph.)

The state will pay for a study to determine the feasibility of removing Groveland’s Johnson Creek Dam and Stevens Pond Dam in Lawrence.

The communities were two of eight statewide to share in$400,000 to help dam owners assess risks and opportunities of dam removal and provide information for future climate adaptation planning.

“There are numerous deteriorating dams on our rivers and streams throughout the Commonwealth that have long outlived their intended use,” said state Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration Director Beth Lambert. “These structures damage river ecosystems and threaten public safety. In addition, the burden of owning and maintaining dams can be overwhelming for dam owners. We look forward to providing dam owners with information they can use to take the next step towards dam removal and river restoration.”

Officials note “Groveland Johnson Creek Dam is a significant hazard dam in poor condition on Johnson Creek. Johnson Creek is a core aquatic habitat for migratory and coldwater species. Removal of the dam would benefit these resources, as well as improve public safety and flood resilience of nearby infrastructure.”

Similarly, the state will consider removal of Stevens Pond Dam in Lawrence, calling it a “a high hazard dam in fair condition on the Spickett River.” The agency notes, removal would benefit migratory fish and improve public safety in an environmental justice community.

The state also awarded $50,000 to the Merrimack River Watershed Council to support efforts to build project support and “advance locally-driven, high-priority ecological restoration projects.”

Comments are closed.