Photo: American Rivers, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, MountainTrue, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the National Park Service (NPS) came together to remove an earthen dam from Cranberry Creek Preserve in the New River watershed this May.

Thank You, NC House: Let’s Keep the Momentum for Dam Removal.

We’re grateful to members of the North Carolina House for including funding for dam removal in HB1012. If the Senate agrees to support this funding, the investment will help keep our communities safer, restore rivers, and support local jobs and economies.

When Hurricane Helene struck, 41 dams failed or were severely damaged, putting homes, roads, and lives at risk. Hundreds more outdated, unmaintained dams remain across the state—each one a potential hazard.

We’ve already seen the power of dam removal in action. The Shulls Mill Dam, removed in 2024 with state support, helped prevent infrastructure damage during Helene flooding on the Watauga River. Just downstream, the Wards Mill Dam removal protected neighbors and opened up miles of habitat for native species.

Let’s build on that success.

Take a moment to thank House members for prioritizing dam removal—and urge them to continue supporting this life-saving, river-restoring work. Send your thank-you note now!