Project Name: The Removal of the Paulina Dam on the Paulins Kill in Blairstown, NJ

 

Project Purpose: Removal of the Paulina Dam, along with removal of Columbia Remnant Dam (2018) Columbia
Dam (2019) and County Line Dam (2021), will open and improve 45 miles of mainstem and tributaries to migratory
and resident fish on the Paulins Kill, the third largest NJ tributary to the Delaware River.

 

Brief Description:
The Paulina Dam is the downstream-most dam on the Paulins Kill, New Jersey’s third largest tributary to the
Delaware River. The dam is a 13-foot high and 207-foot-long timber crib, rock-filled dam originally constructed in
1895. It is a Class II, Significant Hazard Dam, due to its proximity to the town of Blairstown.
Phase I of the project was a 6-foot-deep by 40-foot-wide notch in the dam to partially dewater the impoundment.
During Phase II, approximately 8,000 cubic yards of sediment were mechanically excavated to prevent sediment
behind the dam from migrating downstream in one pulse and to promote formation of a pilot channel immediately
upstream of the dam. In Phase II, full removal of the dam, stabilization of two tributaries, and scour protection at the
upstream trail bridge were also accomplished. In Phase III the project team will complete bank grading and bank
stabilization measures. The banks and floodplains will be seeded with native plant communities, and we will create
a biodiverse in stream habitat.

Resource Values/Project Outputs: This dam removal will benefit American shad, American Eel, sea lamprey,
Eastern Brook Trout and three state-threatened mussel species.  Paulina Dam removal ranked in the top 5% of
14,000 dams assessed for benefit to anadromous fish per Northeast Aquatic Connectivity Project.

Cost/Budget: Approximately $5.2M

Schedule:
Phase I – Initial Dam Notch - Completed November – December 2023
Phase II – Channel Excavation, Sediment Removal and Dam Removal - Completed July – October 2024
Phase III – Upcoming July – September 2025 Bank Grading and Stabilization, Adaptive Management and
Construction of Instream Habitat Features. Funding is requested for Phase III activities.

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Permit Status: All permits are in-hand.

List of Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Township of Blairstown , NJDEP F&W, NJDEP P&F

Funders:
NJ Department of Environmental Protection Office of Natural Resource Restoration
USFWS Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Program
USFWS Fish Passage Program

 

What is requested from the CWRP/Contribution:
We respectfully request a grant of $25,000 that will be used toward
Phase III installation of trees and habitat structures.

 

Point of Contact:
Beth Styler Barry
Director of Freshwater Programs
The Nature Conservancy
200 Pottersville Road
Chester, NJ 07930
(908) 955-0364