Pearl Learns That Some Projects Take Time
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 23
One thing Pearl has learned over the course of her time in conservation work is that some projects take time.
In October of 2025, the Missisquoi River Basin Association successfully completed the removal of the man-made Sleeper Pond Dam in Newport Center after nearly ten years of work. This is a huge accomplishment for the MRBA and greater watershed community!
In this blog post, Pearl is going to take you through the timeline of this project, why defunct dams should be removed, what has been accomplished since this dams removal, and what is next for the site.
In 2016, the MRBA had the first conversations about the failing dam in Newport Center. The dam had not been operated since before the 1940's and was at high risk of breaching.
In 2018, an alternatives analysis was done to discover the scope of the dam removal.
In 2022, dam removal design plans began through engineer contracts.
In 2023, the MRBA sought funds for removal through Flood Resilient Community Fund.
In 2025, the MRBA sought funds for removal through Clean Water Service Provider and from Watersheds United Vermont.
By October 25th, 2025, contaminated sediment and dam remnants were removed.
Dam Removal Before
Although it is unclear to the MRBA what the original purpose of the Sleeper Pond Dam was, what we do know is that it had not been operational since before the 1940s.
As humans, we need dams to survive as they store drinking water, irrigate crops, and generate hydroelectric power. Dams like the Sleeper Pond ones are dangerous for us, and no longer provide any benefit. Additionally, because dams slow the natural flow of water and warm it, can cause the potential spread of harmful algae and possibly even parasites. When a river is dammed, so are the nutrients and animals inside of it. Removing dams improves the health of rivers, including water quality and wildlife habitat, while also improving flood resiliency and public safety for communities are also improved. Furthermore, dam removals can increase the access and recreational opportunities on rivers and streams by creating free flowing water and reclaiming flooded areas.
Dam removals are on the rise across the Green Mountain State. In 2025 alone, nine dams were removed across the state. This is the most dams removed in the state in a single year, reconnecting 125 miles of rivers across Vermont. More than 80 dams have been removed since the 1980s with an estimated 1,100 dams total in Vermont. According to a report from Vermont Dam Task Force, 47 dams would be good candidates for removal, additionally, there are 27 active projects at different stages of preparation for removal and 12 projects that have currently been stalled.
The MRBA's dam removal project has resulted in an estimated 30.28 annual kg/phosphorus reduction from Mud Creek! Stands of invasive phragmites were also removed from the area, and beaver dam analogs were built to slow flow and help restore the creek’s curves. In the several months since the removal, Pearl and the rest of the MRBA staff have seen first hand the stream and surrounding landscape slowly returning to its natural state.
In addition to the removal of the dam, MRBA also installed benches and picnic tables at the site for all to enjoy!
Since the removal of Sleeper Pond Dam in October of 2025, the MRBA returned to the site in April of 2026 to plant trees on the river banks. 600 trees were planted! Species included red osier dogwood and willows. During this tree planting, we had two special volunteer groups join us.
One day, we were joined by the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students and teachers from Newport Town School. Another day, we were joined by the National Honors Society students from North Country Union High School. Both groups of students helped us plant trees and clean up the site. These trees will help hold the river bank in place, filter out pollutants, and provide habitat to wildlife.
We are extremely grateful for our strong community connections!
In June of 2026, we were once again joined by 4th and 5th grade students from Newport Town School at the dam removal site for a half day immersive field trip known as River Day.
Students rotated through four stations run by MRBA staff and our Board President where they learned about how rain falls across different landscapes, deepened their understanding of maps and where they are in the watershed, collected bugs from the stream, and discovered all the wonderful things that live in dirt.
It was a fantastic morning of learning and we are looking forward to hosting more River Day's across the watershed!
You may be wondering, what is next for the Sleeper Pond Dam removal site? The Missisquoi River Basin Association staff and Pearl will continue to make regular visits to the site to conduct site monitoring and tree maintenance.
This project would not have been possible without support from the local community, our project partners, and funders. Thank you all! Together, we can restore and maintain the ecological integrity of the Missisquoi River system.
Join the MRBA on Friday July 24th at 5:00pm in Newport Center to celebrate the success of this amazing project! Visit https://www.mrbavt.com/event-details/sleeper-pond-dam-removal-celebration to learn more.
To learn more about our dam removal, visit https://www.mrbavt.com/newportcenterdamremoval
To see more photos of our dam removal, tree plantings, and river days, be sure to follow @mrbavt on Facebook and Instagram!
