Waterway Restoration with Dam Removals

EQR partners with communities, agencies, and restoration professionals to remove dams and restore the natural function of rivers and streams. Dam removal can improve water quality, restore natural flow, reconnect aquatic habitats, and create safer, more resilient waterways for people and wildlife.

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A dam is more than a structure in a river. Aging or failing infrastructure can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, limit fish passage, alter sediment movement, and create safety concerns. Our team brings decades of environmental construction experience to these complex projects, combining construction expertise with a restoration mindset to safely remove barriers and help waterways flow more naturally. From planning and controlled removal to in-stream construction and restoration, EQR works alongside our partners to turn challenging infrastructure into opportunities for healthier, more connected waterways.

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Brandywine River Restoration

In 2025, EQR traveled to Wilmington, Delaware, to help restore natural flow conditions along the Brandywine Creek through the removal of Dam 6, also known as the Lower Hagley Yard Dam. Working in partnership with the Brandywine River Restoration Trust (BRRT), EQR helped advance a larger effort to remove or modify dams along the creek and restore fish passage and ecological connectivity.

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Constructed in 1839 as a water supply structure, Dam 6 was an approximately 180-foot-long stone dam with a 7-foot elevation change. Its removal is an important step toward restoring a more natural, free-flowing river system and creating improved passage for migratory fish, including American shad.

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EQR carefully removed the dam crest using heavy civil equipment while working under flowing-water conditions. The existing dam was mechanically demolished in controlled stages as the upstream head pond was drawn down. Approximately 25 feet of the existing dam abutments were preserved, while removed stone was strategically placed throughout the riverbed to create a more gradual slope and riffle conditions that support fish passage. Additional stone was installed downstream of an existing concrete-encased sewer crossing to address a knickpoint and improve riverbed stability.

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This project combined heavy civil construction, in-stream work, and nature-based restoration to transform a historic structure into a more connected and functional river system—helping bring the Brandywine Creek closer to its natural state while supporting the return of migratory fish and a more diverse river ecosystem.

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American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy showcased this project as part of a Dam Removal Training in 2025.