Boughton, D. A., East, A., Hampson, L., Kiernan, J. D., Leiker, S., Mantua, N. 2016. Removing a Dam and Re-Routing a River: Will Expected Benefits for Steelhead Be Realized in Carmel River, California? NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS SWFSC 553. NOAA Office of Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Analysis, Case study, Ecosystem, Fish, Habitat, Hydrology, Rivers, Aquatic community, Wildlife, Aquatic ecosystems, Biology, Dams, Connectivity

This report uses a case study of the Carmel River (CA, U.S.) to illustrate how large dam removal can be of ecological benefit to steelhead trout, which is a threatened species in the Carmel River. The paper describes: 1) how improving hydrological connectivity can improve various aspects of ecological health and 2) how to discern which of the benefits are actually occurring using a detailed research framework.