Simpson Dam in Dorset, VT was removed in August of 2024 by the Vermont Land Trust. Located on an Unnamed Tributary to the Otter Creek, Simpson Dam was once a 6 foot high and 50 foot long dam that was built in 1830 to power a sawmill. The project took about 3 years of planning and permitting, and reconnected 0.5 miles of river upstream. Approximately 280 feet of stream was restored and the floodplain was revegetated with native alder and willow, and was seeded down with a wetland seed mix. The removal of this dam restored natural stream processes, improved aquatic habitat and flood resiliency, and restored a headwater wetland along the Unnamed Tributary. 

We thank VLT and their partners Fitzgerald Environmental Associates and Ameden Construction for making this a successful project and helping reconnect this tributary to the Otter Creek. Funding from Watersheds United Vermont helped support this project.