VIDEO: Town To Remove Three Dams on Shawsheen River

In conjunction with the state Division of Wildlife Restoration, the town of Andover will be starting the process of removing three dams along the a section of the Shawsheen River in order to restore ecology and wildlife.

The push to remove the dams is part of a statewide effort to clean up the river systems that run through the state.

Division of Ecological Restoration official Nick Wilder recently told Andover selectmen about the advantages of removing the Balmoral Dam, in Shawsheen Village, the Stevens Street Dam, and the Ballardvale Dam.

In general, the removal of a dam will always positively impact the environment and ecology in and around a river in a variety of ways, as well as address public safety concerns.

Specifically, the removal of these dams would allow for sediment transport throughout the river and would restore the river with a more natural hydrology, or the way the water flows through the ground.

Moreover, the Shawsheen is a tributary of the Merrimack and removing the dams would restore migratory fish habitat.

In addition to the environmental benefits, state officials said that removing the dams professionally will eliminate the chance of an unplanned breach, making the area safer in general.

The town of Andover may be able to receive up to $385,000 or a third of the cost to remove the dams, from the state. Both the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission have both supported the removal of the dams.

After support by selectmen last month, the dam deconstruction process will start soon with town permitting process, beginning with the Balmoral Dam.