NEAFWA 2017

AUTHORS: L. Alan Weaver, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Louise Finger, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Michael Pinder, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Joseph Howren, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Brian Watson, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Albert Spells, United States Fish and Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: In Culpeper County, Virginia Monumental Mills Dam was removed in October 2016 reopening 45 km of the Hazel River and a total of 459 Upstream Functional Network kilometers. Restoration goals were to reduce upstream sedimentation and downstream scour, increase instream habitat complexity to increase aquatic species diversity, and to restore riverine-channel hydraulics, sediment transport and continuity to headwaters. The dam was in Tier 1 and ranked 6th overall in the Chesapeake Fish Passage Prioritization tool. No barriers exist between Monumental Mills Dam and Chesapeake Bay. American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) and Blueback Herring (A. aestivalis) have been documented in the Rappahannock within 16 km of the Hazel confluence since the removal of Embrey Dam in 2005. Extensive fish community sampling in 2012 confirmed American Eel (Anquilla rostrata) and Sea Lamprey (Perimyzon marinus) as fish passage targets. A total of 11 fish species found below the dam were absent from the first three km upstream. VDGIF conservatively avoided summer instream work to protect green floater (Lasmigona subviridis) that might occur in the Hazel although was not found during a mussel survey in 2012. Working with the Office of the Attorney General, and an independent title research firm, VDGIF showed that the opposing landowner across the river does not have a valid king's grant claim to the river bottom. Subsequently, VDGIF acquired the dam only and construction easements from the cooperating owner in order to proceed with removal. Surveying and removal design was done by VDGIF. USFWS provided funding from the National Fish Passage Program. VDGIF acquired permits and authorizations from the USACE, VMRC, VDEQ, VDOF, VDGS, and VDHR. A cultural resources firm conducted assessments before and during the removal to satisfy historical MOA Section 106 requirements. It took one week for an experienced stream restoration contractor to perform the work.