Sleepers Pond Dam was once located along the Mudd Creek in Newport Town and was removed by the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) during the summer of 2025. The structure was originally built in 1937 and the impoundment doubled as an ice pond and a water supply reservoir. The once 61-foot-long and 12-foot-high concrete dam impounded more than 500,000 cubic feet of water and retained around 8,000 cubic yards of excess sediment. This project was 7 years in the making, and those years of hard work paid off with the removal of the dam reconnecting approximately 8 miles of river upstream.

The deconstruction of the dam began on August 18th, starting with the removal of the excess sediment, handling of invasive species, the removal of dam infrastructure, followed by the restoration of the stream channel using onsite materials. Beaver dam analogs and post assisted log structures were added to the restored channel and floodplain to help slow the stream down and allow the new channel to find its equilibrium. These structures also help provide habitat for local wildlife and aid in the return of beavers. Mudd Creek now flows free with improved aquatic organism passage and the removal of the dam has improved flood resiliency for the town of Newport.

Thank you to the MRBA for managing this project and to GW Tatro Construction and SLR Consulting for the removal and design. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the US Fish and Wildlife Service for funding this project.