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Abstract Dam removal has received increasing attention over the last several years as a viable alternative to rehabilitation of unsafe dams and as an alternative for consideration as many hydroelectric dams come up for relicensing in the USA. The environmental impacts of dams on river ecosystems have been studied far more extensively than have the impacts of removing dams. Comprehensive environmental research is currently being conducted, assessing both the positive and negative impacts of the possible removal of Rodman Dam on the Ocklawaha River, Florida. The 2073 m long and 6·7 m high dam was constructed in 1968, impounding 3642 ha on this 125 km long river. The impacts of dam removal are compared with those expected by retaining and actively managing the reservoir for fish and wildlife. The research approach described here for addressing alternatives is recommended as a holistic procedure in which to make an environmentally based decision regarding dam removal.
John R. Shuman (Wed,) studied this question.