ABSTRACT
Americans have been building dams for more then a hundred years. Dam’s
help to lower flood hazards, create reservoirs for urban populations as well
as agriculture, and produce hydro-electric power. Dams can also impair river
ecosystems and when in a state of disrepair may endanger populated areas down
stream. There are approximately 75,000 large dams and thousands of smaller ones.
Some dams have become worn out, out of date, or their usefulness has lessened.
Removing a dam is going to have some effect on the fluvial system below. The
type of effect and to what degree is dependent on many factors. The size of
the dam removed and how it is taken out are major variables. The condition of
the river and its watershed will also effect how the system evolves during and
after the dam removal. Some factors that may effect how the system develops
are river gradient, bed form, bed material, channel width, and velocity.
The legal ramifications of removing a dam are also a concern. Federal, state,
and local levels of government are all concerned with the workings and removal
of dams. Whether or not to remove a dam is often controversial and if the decision
to remove a dam is made how it is to be taken out also has different options.
The dam and how it is removed could affect large areas as well as many people.
The removal process is often associated with legal proceedings or court cases.