The Pioneer Street Dam on the Winooski River in Montpelier in August 2025. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger This story by Heather Koontz was first published in The Bridge on April 20, 2026. Could Montpelier lower the water level in the Winooski River, diminishing flood potential while als o opening the possibility for a downtown water park? Freshwater advocates, conservationists and engineers gathered to discuss this, and more, during an April 15 event called “After the Dams: A Community Conversation on Dam Removals, Flood Resilience, and River Recreation,” co-hosted by the city of Montpelier, the Foundation for a Resilient Montpelier and the Vermont River Conservancy. Participants discussed several Montpelier dams identified for removal, viewed renderings of proposed restructurings and heard ideas for river recreation that could bring an economic boost to the city. Jon Copans, executive director of the Foundation for a Resilient Montpelier, started the discussion by reminding community members that there is no single solution to preventing major flooding events. However, taking a variety of steps and working with partners can help make the city more resilient. Benefits of dam removal Visibility around the importance of dam removal for the health of Vermont’s water has grown in recent years. In fact, 2025 was a record year for reconnecting rivers with the removal of nine Vermont dams in one summer — the most planned removals ever completed in a single year in the state. Now, Montpelier looks to add to that number. Through feasibility studies and sustainability research, SLR Consulting has identified four old dams in Montpelier that could be removed and restructured to improve the flow of the river. Roy Schiff, an SLR water resources engineer and a Montpelier resident, explained that these four dams — like the roughly 2,000 other dams across the state of Vermont — are old mill dams no longer useful, but they cause a host of issues. “These small dams all elevate flood levels,” Schiff said. “They degrade water quality and stack up sediment.”  Additionally, old dams restrict movement of fish and other wildlife, increase maintenance costs, pose safety risks and restrict public access to in-river recreation. Schiff was clear that removing Montpelier’s four smaller dams will not eliminate the risk of major flooding events like the city experienced in 2023. However, removing the dams will lower individual water contribution amounts should a significant flood occur. And with the number of dams that could eventually be removed, that individual continuation may add up. Four selected sites The dam sites, which the SLR team began studying in 2023 to measure sediment depth, have been identified and hark back to the days of the historic mill industry. Bailey Dam (a.k.a. Shaw’s Dam): This is a concrete dam and spillway founded on bedrock. The plan is to remove all concrete down to the bedrock and then remove approximately 34,000 cubic square feet of sediment upstream of the spillway. The team would leave portions of the concrete in place to support the land on either side and add stone around the base for additional support. Trestle Dam (a.k.a. Rat Dam): Located on the other side of Shaws Supermarket under the pedestrian bridge, this concrete dam sits on bedrock and is made of concrete. The plan is to remove the concrete down to the bedrock. The contaminated sediment would be removed and would disposed of off-site.  Pioneer Street: Originally a timber dam, and later concrete, the plan is to remove both portions, dig out sediment and leave concrete with stone on each side to protect nearby buildings. Removal should drop the water level by two feet. Hidden Dam: This dam is located at the end of the bike path, upstream from the big hydro dam, with coarse sediment; the plan is to remove concrete but leave some to maintain access to the river for recreation. While this doesn’t affect urban areas, it would drop the water level by six feet. When it comes to removal of these dams, time is of the essence. Schiff said that while last year’s record-breaking removal number should be celebrated, it’s worth noting that Vermont also experienced record dam failures — a growing common occurrence in New England.  The SLR team said the design process will continue through summer, followed by permit applications. They anticipate FEMA funding will be applied to two of the selected sites.  What happens after removal In addition to providing benefits to wildlife and the environment, removing old dams adds to the potential for in-river recreation — such as fishing, swimming and boating. However, Marty Parichand encouraged community members not to stop there.  Parichand is the owner of Outdoor New England, an outdoor recreation store in downtown Franklin, New Hampshire. He is also the founder of Mill City Park, New England’s first whitewater park. The park operates on the Winnipesaukee River in Franklin and features kayaking, surfing, and boogie boarding. According to Parichand, in-river reaction creates a sense of place, provides a dynamic environment, helps fuel the local economy and makes the community stand out. For Montpelier, a town surrounded by areas known for outdoor recreation, a unique riverside park could help it stand out, he said. “Montpelier as a whole is not the town associated with outdoor recreation in Vermont,” Parichand said. “You do have a lot of amenities, you have a lot of infrastructure, capacity and connection to downtown, and accessibility, but when you think about outdoor recreation, Montpelier doesn’t come to mind yet.” READ MORE Parichand said one way to bring outdoor recreation to Montpelier — and an economic boost associated with it — is by adding new elements to existing activities. In the case of Montpelier, for example, those activities can center on the river. Community members are not yet whitewater kayaking or tubing, but they are biking and fishing. “Take something people are already doing and level up with something they could do,” Parichand said. “There’s missed opportunity in New England … [Montpelier] could be the only capital that would have a whitewater park.” While the idea may seem far-fetched and many years away, the city has partnered with Parichand to conduct research for a potential whitewater park in downtown Montpelier. Proposed renderings included a location by Hunger Mountain Co-op.  Montpelier Parks Director Alec Ellsworth said the park would not be funded with taxpayer bonds but through grants. The department is currently pursuing an opportunity for disaster affected communities that could potentially grant $19.2 million for projects such as this one. Though the grant may be a long shot, Ellsworth believes the park is worth pursuing.  “[In Franklin] I saw people of all ages jumping in the river, boogie boarding, going in boats … lots of smiling faces,” Ellsworth said. “That’s what motivates me as a parks person.” To keep up with this and all city park projects, visit the Montpelier Parks and Trees website. Read the story on VTDigger here: After the dams: flood mitigation, fish passage, and whitewater rafting?. ...read more read less