Saturday, April 1, 2017

The Jeremy Is Free

The Jeremy River is running free again. After 300 years this beautiful river in eastern Connecticut will be allowed to find its natural course and allow the fish to freely swim its entire length. On this site stood the Norton Mill, a valuable business for a growing colonial Connecticut. But it's purpose was complete many years ago and the dam that was required to power the mill was of no further value. So the Nature Conservancy along with the state DEEP and other groups got the funding to remove the dam. The project started last fall and here is how it looks.



The Jeremy once held Atlantic salmon runs that were epic. The dam sealed off the migration of these fish which in turn helped to kill the the salmon in Connecticut.


A few months after the dam removal the river has found its natural channel, it almost looks like its smiling. With the dam removed it opens up 17 miles of beautiful watershed. The dam will also allow sea run fish more areas to spawn. Fish like the alewife, herring, shad, and brown and brook trout.


The town of Colchester plans a park on the former mill site.


Projects like this make all of us winners. Thanks to all of those involved in this project.








29 comments:

  1. Awesome to see. Seeing these old dam's which serve no purpose being removed is just fantastic!

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    1. Hibernation
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      Will I think we'll see more of this. Big issue is the funding. Fingers crossed.

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  2. That is so cool Brk Trt! It will be great to see those runs return..

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    1. penbayman
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      Mike it will benefit a host of migrating fish, and beautify a natural flowing river.

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  3. What a beautiful stream! I hope some Atlantic Salmon find their way into it now.

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    1. Parachute Adams
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      Sam I have fished it many times. Now I'll have thoughts of catching something I would never have before. I think it may be to late for the salmon.

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    2. Nature finds a way. I hope the salmon do. They are trying.

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    3. Sam as you may know the Feds gave up the CT river salmon restoration. CT. DEEP continued and still stocks fry in some watersheds. I'm told that a few wild sea-run salmon continue to show up.

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  4. Wow. Winner winner chicken dinner. We had the Song of the Morning Dam removed on the Pigeon here in MI four years ago. I'm making the pilgrimage to first our "come back kid" this year and my understanding is that the waters are responding faster than anticipated. Ma cooks pretty well when we are out of her kitchen.

    Good thoughts for your "new" stream!

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    1. spike
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      Everyone loves what Ma cooks...nice to hear of the success of your river. Keep in touch.

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  5. Definitely, a rare but beautiful piece of news, Alan. Hard to believe, you are getting back a fishery in this day and age, and, not having one taken away! I am sure you will keep us posted of your adventures there.

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    1. Mel-Fly Tyin Times
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      Mel it may take some time to get it back to where it was, at least this is a start. Only good can happen here.

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  6. A conservation and redemptive victory! How sweet it is. There are so many of these small colonial era dams all over New England, dams that have been derelict for decades and that need to come out. Congrats to everybody who made this happen!

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    1. mike
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      Mike I'm in total agreement. I think the funding may be a big issue. That's why these partnerships, private and state are a big help.

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  7. A very good story. A controlled reopening and a success story for all.

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    1. Ralph Long
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      Ralph as was stated before, we need more of this.

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  8. When the natural vegetation reestablishes itself along the banks of that stream, it's going to look a nice piece of water. That probably wont take too long.
    Cheers,
    Steve.

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    1. Steve Hynes
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      Steve the stream flows through a natural bedrock gorge and when nature takes over with the vegetation it's going to be a special place.
      I hope your staying dry and safe in OZ.

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    2. Thanks for your concern Alan. The flooding you may have been seeing or hearing about is happening further north in New South Wales in and around Sydney. We would have to have a rerun of the Biblical Great Flood before the Badger Creek at the end of my garden became a threat.
      I'm hoping to go fishing tomorrow morning if I can drag myself out of a warm bed on my day off work. If I do I'll try to take a few photos and send them to you.
      Cheers,
      Steve.

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    3. Steve, good to hear your safe. Fish mate....

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  9. Alan
    I can see wild brook, brown and rainbow in some of those runs and pockets; the fish are the true winners here. Gorgeous river---thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bil I share your thoughts..do it for the fish.

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  10. when nature takes hold it & it wont be too long it will look great.

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    1. George
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      The kayaker's are already loving it. Us anglers will be at it in a week or so.

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  11. What a wonderful story. I love happy endings and this one beats them all! The Jeremy is my kind of water Alan.

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    1. Howard Levett
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      Howard everyone wins here. They say that this river has the finest water purity in the state.

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  12. Another dam down! Many more to go. It's a great sight to see a river flowing free.

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    1. Kierran Broatch
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      Kierran I think we are going to see quite a few come down in CT. All positive.

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