There is a growing awareness in the United States of the need to address obsolete dams that impair our waterways. Removal of these dams has been on the rise in the U.S. for a variety of reasons, including ecological restoration, economic development of communities, concerns with localized flooding, improvement of recreational opportunities, restoration of fish spawning and migration, and safety issues for recreational users due to dangerous hydraulics. In support of these efforts and in response to an increase in the number of inquiries regarding EPA policies, regulations, and potential funding opportunities as they relate to removal of obsolete dams, EPA is providing the following answers to frequent questions. 

• FAQs on Removal of Obsolete Dams (PDF)(15 pp, 544 K, December 2016, EPA-840-F-16-001)