Removing the Embrey Dam on the Rappahannock in 2004, Elwha (largest at the time) dams and Veazie on the Penobscot in 2012made headlines for their recognition of dams that had outlived their project purpose. The recent historic Klamath Dam removal that reflects decades of work byTribes and other advocates have highlighted the impact dams have had on rivers as a resource, deserving of wise stewardship. Over 2,000 of our nation’s 90,000+ dams have been removed since 1912, as many as 100+ in one year, and the public is becoming more aware of the reasons to remove them, the processes that are involved. Join us for a discussion of the state of dam removal in the US and how dam removal projects are and can be approached, supported, funded and implemented.

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On the second Tuesday of the month, the River Management Society hosts River Management Roundtables, facilitated virtual discussions with professional river and water trails managers. These peer-to-peer conversations provide an open forum to ask questions, share solutions, and build camaraderie. There is no fee or membership requirement to attend, though registration is required. Discussions are recorded and shared with registrants. 

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About Our 2026 Water Trails Series

Our 2026 River Management Roundtable series includes a set of sessions designed specifically to support water trail managers. Topics were identified through a survey of water trail managers and are being developed in response to the priorities and challenges they shared. Together, these sessions form a connected series focused on practical, timely issues in river and water trail management, and will help inform ongoing collaboration through the RMS Water Trails Working Group. Anyone interested in these topics is encouraged to attend.

• Jan. 13: Easements and Public River Access
• March 10: Dam Removal and Mitigation—Trends and New Norms
• May 12: Recreational and Environmental Dam Releases
• July 14: Dam Awareness, Law Enforcement, Rescue Operations
• Sep. 8: River and Water Trail Accessibility
• Nov. 10: Managing Large-Scale Water Trail Networks