Fish Passage Workgroup

Meetings

About

Many aquatic species move throughout waterways seeking spawning grounds, to colonize new habitat, or to seek refuge from stressors during one or more stages of their lifecycles. However, the introduction of dams, roads, and other types of barriers limit the ability for these species to migrate. The members of the Fish Passage Workgroup are dedicated to the restoration of creek, stream and river habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by coordinating barrier removal and tracking progress towards the Fish Passage Outcome of the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. 

Prioritizing Barrier Removal

There are many considerations that must be thought of when planning barrier removals. For example, completely removing all dams would dismiss any benefits to society—hydroelectric power, flood control, irrigation, etc.—but many dams throughout the Chesapeake Watershed are obsolete and do not serve their original purpose. 

Therefore, it is necessary to prioritize barrier removals in places where there will be greatest ecologic and human benefit, as well as the where work is most cost-feasible. To do this the workgroup members have been using The Chesapeake Fish Passage Prioritization Tool since 2013 to prioritize barrier removal. To learn more about the tool refer to the documentation prepared by the Nature Conservancy on their most recent update to the tool.

Get Involved

If you are interested in joining the Fish Passage Workgroup as either a member or interested party, or have any questions, please contact the Workgroup Staffer or Workgroup Chairs.

Projects