Sprout Brook Dam Removal Benefits Marine Life and Habitat
Monitoring at the Sprout Brook dam, removed in 2024, is showing early signs of success. The removed dam was the first aquatic barrier that marine life encountered when moving upstream from the Hudson River, preventing them from reaching important habitat further up in Sprout Brook. The dam also created an upstream impoundment that impacted the physical nature of the stream, which functioned as a small pond.
Early data from 2025 reveals improved conditions upstream after the dam's removal. Scientists found blue crabs upstream of the former dam site, and the macroinvertebrate community, which was considered severely impaired before the removal, is now only slightly impaired. This change indicates a significant improvement in both the physical habitat and water quality of the stream.
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