The Winchester Dam was removed from the Ashuelot River in New Hampshire in July and August of 2002. Owned by the Town of Winchester, the remnants of this timber crib dam were 3 feet high and 105 feet long. It had deteriorated greatly since it was built circa 1900 and the dam was considered to be a hazard to river recreationists, as well as degrading to the riverine environment.
Source: US Geological Survey topographical map
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It was a tiny structure by human standards but an impassable obstacle to many fish. The removal of this dam from the Ashuelot River is an important step toward the restoration of anadromous fisheries movement throughout this historically significant Connecticut River tributary. The Winchester Dam removal project has restored approximately 15 miles of the Ashuelot River to free-flowing condition for the first time in a century.