Who Gives a Dam? The Human Dimension in Dam-Removal Projects: A Case Study of Jordan’s Point Dam in Lexington, Virginia

Louise Finger
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Verona, VA

Dam removal is gaining more and more traction in the mid-Atlantic as obsolete, low-head dams built primarily to power mills in the early 1900’s have exceeded their structural lifespan. Though the benefits of removal are many, often the resistance to such endeavors is quite strong. Opposition to dam removal varies with each situation and may be rooted in historic-resource value, flat and/or deep-water recreation, aesthetics, or public-access issues. A case study of a recent low-head dam removal in Virginia will be discussed, with a focus on the human factors that conflicted a community as to whether to preserve or remove the structure.

About Louise Finger

As a Stream Restoration Biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Louise designs and constructs stream-restoration projects and provides education and outreach on stream and riparian systems. She has a special interest in enhancement of habitat complexity and in removal of stream barriers to aquatic-organism passage.