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rrhodes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 214 He/Him < Back Ron Rhodes Director of Programs Ron joined CRC in 2011 as the northern NH & VT River Steward, before transitioning in 2020 to leading our Restoration Program where he spent most of his time removing old dams, planting trees, and working with landowners and partners to implement river restoration projects. Ron has served as the project manager for 29 aquatic organism passage projects, opening more than 425 miles of habitat. Now, Ron is the Director of Programs where he leads CRC’s various aquatic and riparian habitat programs (Aquatic Invasive Species, Migratory Fish, Recreation & Access, Restoration, and Water Quality Monitoring) throughout the watershed in NH, VT, MA and CT. rrhodes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 214 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 She/Her < Back Nina Gordon-Kirsch River Steward in Massachusetts Nina joined CRC’s staff in December 2023 after assisting with CRC’s water quality monitoring program during the summer of 2023. She moved to the Connecticut River Valley from northern California where she spent the past decade working across the water industry including regulatory and monitoring work for the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, teaching a high school field course on natural and human-made water systems, and designing and installing professional greywater reuse projects. Before leaving CA, Nina walked 240 miles along the Mokelumne River to trace where her drinking water came from and feels passionate about connecting humans to their water sources. She holds an M.Sc. in Wastewater Reuse from Ben Gurion University, completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Israel and Palestine researching the fate of endocrine disrupting compounds in Palestinian wastewater treatment, and earned her B.Sc. in Environmental Science with a minor in Marketing from the University of Southern California. In her free time, you’ll find her dipping in local rivers (all year round!) and hiking with her dog Petey. ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

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dchaplin at ctriver.org 413-834-0079 She/Her < Back Diana Chaplin Director of Communications Diana brings over 15 years of experience in communications strategy and marketing for both nonprofit and startup organizations with a distinct passion for conservation and uplifting storytelling. Her background also includes publishing, leadership development, and graphic design. Prior to joining CRC in 2022, Diana was the Marketing Director at global reforestation nonprofit One Tree Planted during 5 years of its early critical growth, establishing the organization as a media-savvy environmental brand and growing a robust internal team while funding the planting of over 40 million trees – including being a funding partner of CRC! Diana currently oversees CRC's content throughout this website, email, social media, and custom distribution channels in partnership with programs staff. When she’s not working, Diana enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her family in Massachusetts. dchaplin at ctriver.org 413-834-0079 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Thank you for supporting our mission. Photo courtesy of Al Braden Hydropower Relicensing 5 hydroelectric facilities on the Connecticut River are in the process of relicensing. This page includes background and historical information, along with updates as they develop. The most recent milestone is that the Connecticut River Conservancy and co-appellant partners have challenged the Water Quality Certifications in NH, VT, and MA for all 5 hydropower projects undergoing relicensing on the Connecticut River. This legal process is continuing into 2026. We have been involved in the relicensing process for over a decade with the aim of getting the best possible outcome for our rivers, wildlife, and communities. The process is not complete until there is a new license in place. Read on for all the details. Hydroelectric facilities use a public trust resource – your river – to produce power. In exchange for this privilege and to mitigate for impacts of the dams, FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) r equires that hydropower operators provide direct benefits to the public and be protective of the ecological health of the river. The license serves as a public contract that we revisit periodically to examine the impact of the facility on our public trust resource. Latest Hydro News Comments Submitted for Draft Environmental Impact Statements in Hydropower Relicensing FERC Publishes Draft Environmental Impact Statements for Five Hydropower Facilities Environmental Nonprofits File Appeal of VT and NH Water Quality Certifications for Hydropower Facilities The Connecticut River Advocacy Fund CRC has appealed the Clean Water Act §401 Water Quality Certifications in VT, NH, and MA to make sure that the state agencies do their job and protect our river for the next several decades. Your contribution is critical for the Connecticut River’s future. Wins in this court process will result in specific requirements that are written into the federal licenses impacting 175 miles of the river. Support the Advocacy Fund Public Comments Read the Draft Env. Impact Statements. The comment period has passed. Learn More 401 Water Quality Certification Details about the Water Quality Certifications issues by MA, VT, and NH. Learn More Relicensing Overview Get the key details to understand what's at stake for our rivers. Start Here Hydro Resources Learn more about hydropower and related state & federal processes. Learn More Sign Up for Hydro Email Updates We have a hydropower-specific email list to notify you as milestones happen or new resources become available. If you're not already on it, take a moment to sign up here and then return to this page. Five Hydro Facilities Now! The heart of the Connecticut River’s next 50 years. Since late 2012, five hydroelectric facilities in the heart of the Connecticut River have been in the process of renewing their operating licenses in a process known as relicensing. The licenses for two facilities in northern MA and three dams in southern VT and NH will endure for the next 30-50 years and impact more than 175 miles of the Connecticut River. It’s critical that we all speak up NOW in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence these operating licenses. The three dams at Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon in New Hampshire and Vermont are owned by Great River Hydro (formerly TransCanada), a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec whose sole shareholder is the Government of Quebec. The two Massachusetts facilities, Turners Falls Dam and Northfield Mountain Pump Storage Project, are now separate LLCs under FirstLight Power Services LLC , owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last issued licenses for these facilities over forty years ago and all five licenses initially expired in April, 2018. Comments by local communities, the states, individuals, and other stakeholders provide a rare opportunity to improve the health of our river. The current relicensing process for these five hydropower facilities will dramatically affect the health of the river and watershed for generations to come. The public has had numerous opportunities to formally submit comments to the the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), however the deadline for these has now passed. CRC River Stewards Kathy Urffer (VT), Kate Buckman (NH through 2024), Marilla Harris-Vincent (NH starting 2025), and Nina Gordon-Kirsch (MA) are participating in all the formal proceedings related to this relicensing effort. They review reports, prepare CRC comments, and are working to engage the public in the process. They are glad to answer any of your questions or speak to your group about the relicensing. Both Great River Hydro and FirstLight submitted amended final license applications (AFLAs) in December 2020. And on February 22nd, 2024, FERC released a public notice indicating that the Turner’s Falls , Northfield Mountain , Vernon , Bellows Falls , and Wilder hydroelectric project applications have been accepted and are ready for environmental analysis. Link on the project name to see their respective notice. This opened a 60-day comment period through April 22nd, which was then further extended to May 22nd, 2025. This also initiated the Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification clock and gave the companies 60 days to file an application with the state to apply for a water quality certificate. Next Steps: This process is not complete until new licenses are in place, which means there is still more to do. We are now in the next phase of the relicensing, which are the state 401 Water Quality Certifications + federal Draft Environmental Statements. Read more about the 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) here. Read CRC's announcements about appeals to state WQCs in Massachusetts , and Vermont/New Hampshire. Read the Draft Environmental Impact Statements issued by FERC . Read the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project (P-1889-085) and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project (P-2485-071). Support the Connecticut River Advocacy Fund to empower CRC in the courtroom. A Public Trust Resource Refers to the public trust doctrine that recognizes the public right to many natural resources including "the air, running water, the sea and it's shore." The doctrine requires a state to hold in trust designated resources for the benefit of the people, regardless or private property ownership. Connecticut River Conservancy's Role: CRC’s desired outcomes and priority areas where we are actively advocating for change include: Safe, timely, and effective upstream and downstream fish passage Operational changes at the dams to minimize both upstream and downstream surface water fluctuations to reduce bank erosion and impacts to rare and threatened species Healthy aquatic habitat for river critters Seasonally appropriate minimum flows in the river channel Ecologically compatible and accessible recreational facilities Protection and interpretation of historic and archeological resources Equal consideration of Indigenous People’s traditional cultural properties Hydro Relicensing and the 401 Water Quality Certification: States & Federal Have a Parallel Process All hydroelectric facilities must also apply for and receive within 12 months a Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the state that that facility is located in. Anything the states require in this certificate will automatically be included in the final FERC license. Great River Hydro and FirstLight applied for their 401 WQ Certifications in April 2024, so the states used the following year to conduct public information sessions, issue a draft WQ Certification, and in most cases held a formal public comment period to receive comments on the draft. Read CRC's latest hydropower eblasts: 2/14/26 9/14/25 7/14/25 6/13/25 5/28/25 401 Water Quality Certification This refers to the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in which a federal agency (in this case the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - FERC) may not issue a license to hydro facilities for a discharge from the hydro plant into public waters unless the state or authorized tribe issues a Section 401 water quality certification verifying that the discharge will comply with existing water quality requirements, or waives the certification requirement. After the states issued Water Quality Certifications in April 2025, the Connecticut River Conservancy and co-appellant partners have filed appeals in Massachusetts , Vermont, and New Hampshire challenging the Water Quality Certifications issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC), and, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for not going far enough to protect the Connecticut River. As of this update in early 2026, each state is proceeding through their own process. We have a trial date set for Vermont in late summer and are working through a process to come to some agreement or narrow the issues that would go to trial in MA. The appeal process in NH will not begin for at least six months due to a backlog in that docket. Links to the 2025 WQC's can be found here: New Hampshire: Read the Final 401 WQC for Wilder Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Bellows Falls Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Vernon Dam Read NHDES' Responses to Comments and Substantive and Minor Revisions Vermont: Read the Final 401 WQC for Wilder Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Vernon Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Bellows Falls Dam Massachusetts: Read the Final 401 for the Turners Falls Dam & Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station CRC's previously submitted comments on the state 401 Water Quality Certifications are below: For GRH Projects in Vermont: Comments on the application for the VT 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon (submitted on 10/1/24) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder (submitted on 2/6/25) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Bellows Falls (submitted on 2/26/25) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Vernon (submitted on 3/16/25) can be found here. For GRH Projects in New Hampshire: Comments on the application for the NH 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon (submitted on 1/31/25) can be found here. Final comments on NH 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon (submitted on 4/11/25) can be found here. For FirstLight Projects in Massachusetts: Comments on the application for the MA 401 Water Quality Certification (submitted on 6/3/24) can be found here. Letter to MassDEP regarding shortnose sturgeon and hydropower (sent on 12/5/24) Read the MA draft 401 Water Quality Certification (issued by MA DEP 1/24/25) here. Comments on the MassDEP 401 Water Quality Certification draft (submitted on 2/24/25). CRC has also made dedicated brochures for each state, which you can find here for Vermont , New Hampshire , and Massachusetts . Public comments submitted to the state during this process can have a positive impact on the long-term benefits for the river! You can learn more about this process in each state here: Vermont New Hampshire Massachusetts CRC's 2024 Livestream about the Water Quality Certification Process We have a hydropower-specific email list to notify you as milestones happen or new resources become available. If you're not already on it, take a moment to sign up here. Video Summary of the VT/NH Se ction of the River The LiveStream below with CRC's Director of Policy and Advocacy, Kathy Urffer, was recorded prior to the comment periods or issuance of Water Quality Certifications, the Fish Passage Settlement Agreement, and the sale of Great River Hydro to HydroQuebec, however the key details remain accurate and it describes the proposed operational change agreed to in 2020. Videos About Our Concerns Recreation Erosion Hydropower Resources Full License Applications submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Great River Hydro : Open “80-Amended-Final-License-Applications-AFLA” folder. Most information is in “Exhibit E.” CRC was concerned with information lacking in the AFLA so we submitted comments to FERC in January 2021. FirstLight : Executive Summary Table ES-1 shows inflated cost amounts that include a hidden expected energy revenue loss, whereas Exhibit D for the two facilities show lower costs. Otherwise, the Executive Summary is a concise summary of what the application package includes. CRC was concerned with information lacking in the AFLA so we submitted comments to FERC in January 2021. Stay informed! Subscribe to the FERC docket using the project number (eg. Northfield Mountain Pump Station is P-2485) so you receive updates whenever comments are filed, or FERC issues a determination. Research! Search the FERC eLibrary using the project number (eg. Northfield Mountain Pump Station is P-2485) for previously submitted comments, issuance, and documents. CRC's comments opposing the Low Impact Hydro Institute (LIHI)'s consideration of the inclusion of pumped storage hydropower in its Certification Program. CRC and Appalachian Mountain Club’s recreation recommendations submitted to FERC. Recordings: CRC has been holding a number of virtual events to share information and answer questions. Visit CRC’s YouTube channel to see all past recordings. Background: Hydropower in the Connecticut River Watershed River A large natural stream of water flowing into a channel. Dams undo many of the very features that distinguish a river ecosystem, such as: Variations in flow rate, river bottom sediments, and movement of soil and rocks. Migratory fish runs that bring economic opportunity, sustenance, and nutrients inland. All power generation has impacts on the environment. Hydropower has large impacts on a river. The Connecticut River watershed has dozens of active hydropower dams and two pumped storage projects that are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Their individual and cumulative impacts to our rivers are massive. The Connecticut River is one of the most extensively dammed rivers in the nation. CRC has advocated for removing dams in our watershed that no longer serve a purpose. Thus far, we have aimed to minimize the impacts of operating hydropower dams rather than removal. However, we evaluate each facility on a case by case basis. Dams on the main stem of the Connecticut River alter flows and water levels on more than 324 miles of the river’s 410 mile total length, from the headwaters region all the way down to Holyoke Dam 86 miles upstream from Long Island Sound. They block the movement of migratory and resident fish and other aquatic animals. The dams turn New England’s longest river into a series of warm water reservoirs. They impede natural river flows and cause the accumulation of sediment behind the dams, burying important river bottom habitat. Paddlers have to portage around the dams to continue traveling on the river. Historical uses and artifacts along the river are changed or submerged. It is important to remember the companies aren’t just managing their facilities, nor merely impacting just the water “at” the dams or nearby habitat. Through their presence and operations, hydro facilities manage the whole river. Most hydropower facilities have a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license with a term of 40-50 years. When these operating licenses come up for renewal during the relicensing process, it is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change how these hydro facilities affect our rivers. With such lengthy terms, the licenses lock-in impacts to the river for generations to come. Therefore, advocating for the river during relicensing is critical! It is a chance to improve access, habitat, and the river’s overall health as an ecosystem. Working with state and federal agencies, municipalities, nonprofits, and local residents, CRC examines the impacts of each facility’s operations on our local waterways and submits formal comments to ensure a balance between hydro operations and protection of the river. YOUR ROLE: You Have A Say! It is important for the public and municipalities to submit comments to make sure that local concerns and desires are voiced during the relicensing process and are responded to as part of the new license. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is interested in maintaining these energy facilities and they are in constant communication with the companies in the course of their relationship as regulators. FERC needs to hear from the public in order to understand and balance local ecological and public access concerns with power production To submit comments on a particular dam or hydro project you first need to know the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) project number. There are many hydroelectric projects in the watershed. Click on the project in the map below to get more details. Comments can be in response to a particular filing or can be a complaint about project operations, safety, or recreation issues in the project areas. You can see comment examples and a way to see all submitted comments here. Project numbers for the five large hydro facilities on the main stem Connecticut River undergoing relicensing now: Wilder Dam, P-1892-030 Bellows Falls Dam, P-1855-050 Vernon Dam, P-1904-078 Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project, P-2485-071 Turners Falls Dam, P-1889-085 There are two options for submitting comments to FERC: For a comment up to 10,000 characters, you can submit an e-comment . This DOES NOT require creating an account with FERC. For a longer comment, or to post a comment on your letterhead, you will need to eRegister with FERC to create an account, and then eFile . Please see our Comment Guide for extended comment details. Comments submitted so far can also be found here . CRC's FERC Comment Guide Tributary Facilities Undergoing Relicensing P-10934 Sugar River II ; Newport, NH on the Sugar River P-9648 Fellows Dam, P-9649 Lovejoy, P-9650 Gilman and P-7888 Comtu Fall; Springfield, VT on the Black River P-8615 Fiske Mill ; Hinsdale, NH on the Ashuelot River P-7887 Minnewawa Brook; Marlborough, NH on the Ashuelot River P-7883 Weston; Groveton, NH on the Upper Ammonoosuc River P-2490 Taftsville ; Woodstock, VT on the Ottauquechee River P-2489 Cavendish ; Cavendish, VT on the Black River P-2816 North Hartland; Hartland, VT on the Ottauquechee River P-2839 Great Falls ; Lyndonville, VT on the Passumpsic River P-5261 Newbury ; Newbury, VT on the Wells River P-2392 Gilman ; Lunenberg, VT and Dalton, NH on the Connecticut River P-2669 Bear Swamp ; Rowe and Florida, MA on the Deerfield River CRC's Other Hydro Work For questions about hydropower relicensing, contact the following: Kathy Urffer for Vermont: kurffer at ctriver.org | 802-258-0413 Marilla Harris-Vincent for New Hampshire: mharrisvincent at ctriver.org | 603-503-0419 Nina Gordon-Kirsch for Massachusetts: ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org | 413-772-2020 ext. 216

rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 She/Her < Back Rebecca Budd Restoration Program Manager Becky joined CRC’s staff in October 2021. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College and M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of New Hampshire. She previously worked with American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy on land protection, river restoration, and conservation GIS projects. Becky has always lived near the river, from her childhood in Connecticut to her college dorm in “The River Cluster” near the upper Connecticut River. She currently lives in Northampton, MA with her family. In her spare time, she volunteers on rare species and habitat surveys and enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and skiing. rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 She/Her < Back Kate Buckman Aquatic Ecologist Kate became CRC's Aquatic Ecologist in 2025 after serving as the River Steward for NH since 2022. She spent much of her career prior to joining CRC involved in marine and freshwater research. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Smith College where she worked on coral reef ecology and education in Belize and her PhD from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography where she focused her thesis research on the ecology of fish at hydrothermal vent systems on the East Pacific Rise. Kate made the short trip north back to her home state of New Hampshire in 2010 and spent many years at Dartmouth College as a member of the Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program studying trophic transfer of mercury and assisting with community science programs in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. When not contemplating how awesome fish are, Kate can often be found puttering in her yard and gardens, hanging out on the porch pondering which house project to tackle next, or walking her wiggly dog around the neighborhood. The Vermont Natural Resources Council conducted an excellent interview with Kate in December, 2025, which you can also read here. kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Watershed Snapshots Photo Submission for Estuary Magazine Subscription Raffle The Connecticut River watershed is rich with stunning landscapes, vibrant ecology, and the people who call it home, and we know many of you capture this beauty through photography. Now’s your chance to share your favorite shots for a chance to win a prize and some recognition. Connecticut River Conservancy is giving away three 2026 subscriptions to Estuary Magazine! To enter, simply upload up to three photos using the form below (each photo will count as an entry to the raffle). Photos can show nature, wildlife, people, tributaries, wetlands, bridges—anything that you feel represents the watershed we all call home. Deadline: Submit your photos by January 28th , 2026. When winners are selected, we’ll showcase some of the best photos with our watershed community. Please label your files with the photo location and your name. Max image size is 5MB. First name* Last name* Email* Phone* Address* Description, location, and date for photograph(s)* File upload Upload Photo(s) By submitting my photo(s), I confirm that I am the creator and rightful owner of the image(s). I grant Connecticut River Conservancy a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, display, distribute, and publish the photo(s) for purposes related to the Photo Submission Raffle, to highlight the beauty of the Connecticut River watershed, and/or to support and promote the nonprofit’s mission. This includes use in print materials, websites, social media, presentations, reports, and other communications. I understand that my photo(s) may be edited, cropped, or adapted as needed for specific formats, and that they may be publicly displayed. I understand that I will not receive payment or other compensation for the use of my photo(s). I confirm that any identifiable individuals in the photo(s) have given permission for their likeness to be used as described above. I agree to indemnify and hold Connecticut River Conservancy harmless from any claims related to the photo(s). By submitting my photo(s), I accept the terms of this release. Submit

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Finance & Policies Financial Statements Fiscal year ending June 30th, 2024 Audited Financial Statement IRS Form 990 2022/2023 - IRS Form 990 and Financial Statement 2021/2022 - IRS Form 990 and Financial Statement Policies Affirmative Action Plan Endowment Spending Policy Overhead in Contracts Policy By Laws Fiscal Sponsorship Policy Sexual Harassment Policy Delegation of Signature Authority to E.D. Gift Acceptance Policy Sick & Medical Leave Policy Investment Policy Statement Document Management & WISP Policy Easement Monitoring & Enforcement Policy Non-Discrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Procurement policy (Executive Director issued) 2024 Annual Report 2023 Restoration Summary 2022 Annual Report for Programs Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Migratory Fish Migratory fish are essential to healthy river ecosystems. The Connecticut River hosts 8 species of migratory fish that travel thousands of ocean miles and over 200 miles upriver annually. These include alewives, American eels, Atlantic salmon, American striped bass, blueback herring, sea lampreys, and shortnose sturgeon. CRC's migratory fish restoration efforts include advocating for and expanding fish passage and raising awareness to our work through community science and education. Migratory Fish Data Research and education about migratory fish in the Connecticut River help scientists and the public understand how to best support thriving biodiversity. That’s why we work with conservation partners to bring you a dedicated website full of resources. Community Science Events Counting fish and nests, and rescuing some species from drained canals, requires dedicated volunteers! We offer dozens of engaging community science events annually, which typically run from April to July. Dam Removal Dams are the most significant obstacle to fish passage in the Connecticut River, which is why we collaborate with partners and landowners throughout the watershed to safely remove old dams and restore healthy habitats. Migratoryfish.org Volunteer Events Learn About Dams Angler Surveys Angler surveys empower individuals to contribute valuable fishing data, informing researchers and becoming stewards of the rivers through their recreation. Thanks to these surveys, CRC connects the fishing community to conservationists, for a common goal of restoring migratory fish to the Connecticut River. Learn more about angler surveys. Sea Lamprey Nest Surveys Thanks to Our Partners Migratory fish travel between freshwater and saltwater throughout their lifecycle to reach the habitat that best suits their needs for spawning, feeding, and finding shelter. The Problem: Dams and industrial practices have blocked spawning habitat and decimated migratory fish populations. Flows at main stem hydro-electric dams and canals, industrial pollution, and heated plant discharges into the river make this situation worse. Determined action is needed if the Connecticut River’s fish runs are to survive. The Solution: Require safe and effective fish passage at dams. Remove any deadbeat dams that no longer serve a purpose. Improve passage in tributaries to increase available spawning habitat. Discontinue any recent industrial practices that may be injuring migratory fish runs. Perform adequate research before making changes to main stem discharges and flow regimes to prove they will do no harm. All fish are mobile, but none on the Connecticut River make longer journeys than the suite of migratory fish moving upriver from the Atlantic Ocean: blueback herring, alewives, stripped bass, American shad, American eels, Atlantic salmon, shortnose sturgeon, and sea lampreys. These migrations have been taking place for thousands of years. The journeys of these species may take them through thousands of ocean miles annually, and nearly 200 miles upriver. Anadromous Fish Shad, lamprey, salmon, striped bass, blueback herring and alewives are anadromous fish. They are born in freshwater, swim to the sea to feed and mature, then return to the rivers of their birth to spawn. Though some members of each species die after spawning, only the sea lamprey spawns as the final act in their long-life cycle. All other species may survive, return to the ocean, and then return to the river to spawn again. Catadromous Fish American eels are different. They are a catadromous species; born in the ocean, they travel to rivers and estuaries to feed and grow. After years of feeding and maturing in the Connecticut River watershed, American eels head back to the Sargasso Sea, a weed-covered expanse in the Caribbean, where they were born, to spawn along that sprawling sargassum algae mat near their counterparts, European eels. This seaweed expanse has also been found to be the protective ocean habitat that young loggerhead sea turtles journey to after hatching on sandy shores and skittering into the sea. Main stem and tributary dams are among the major, human-induced contributors to declining migratory fish populations on the Connecticut River. Fish passage facilities are in place at most main stem dams. However, changes in operations and discharges at main stem structures, and failing fish passage facilities, further impact surviving fish runs. In addition, thousands of poorly designed road crossings over streams block fish from reaching their available habitat. Culverts at these locations need to be replaced with fish-friendly structures. Critical fish passage and dam-removal work is also taking place on many tributaries and is in the works for others. We have successfully helped create fish passage, restore habitat and remove unneeded dams at dozens of watershed sites. In doing so, we’ve opened 424 miles of migratory fish habitat since 2014. The once prolific runs of American shad, blueback herring, alewives, and Atlantic salmon have been dramatically reduced over the centuries. Today, runs are a small fraction of their historic numbers. These species play an important role in a healthy river and marine ecosystem. Download Fish Facts Explore the Migratory Fish Website! MigratoryFish.org was developed by CRC and partners to share information about fish migration in the Connecticut River. You can browse the embedded website below, or open the website in a new browser window. The Latest Migratory Fish News What do Fish Have to Do with Farms? More than You Might Think! Aquatic Ecologist Dr. Kate Buckman shares how migratory fish, farms, and ecosystems are interconnected in the New Hampshire portion of the Connecticut River watershed. Fish Passage Design: An Up (and Down) Stream Journey Fish passage is a critical component of river health and resilience. Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) hosted an engaging webinar exploring fish passage on the Connecticut River. Speakers dug deep into the importance of fish passage in our watershed, the intricacies of proper design, and what it takes to get it right. This webinar discusses how effective design restores migratory pathways and meets evolving regulatory requirements. No Simple Swim: The Mysterious Migration of the American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) Tracking the migratory life cycle, obstacles, and research related to American eel in the Connecticut River watershed. For questions about migratory fish or community science volunteering, contact us at volunteer - at - ctriver.org or call 413.772.2020 x207.

Support the Connecticut River for Giving Tuesday by making a contribution for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Free the Fish Challenge All donations up to $25K will be MATCHED for Giving Tuesday! Gifts through Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, will be DOUBLED thanks to a generous donor. This means you will have twice the impact in protecting river health and restoring habitat. This Giving Tuesday, show your support for healthy habitats in the Connecticut River watershed. Donate to free the fish! This challenge will fund dam removal to restore fish passage, culvert upgrades to improve climate resiliency, fish ladders and weirs for migrating species, and other habitat connectivity projects to benefit the fish that call these rivers home! Help CRC protect and restore the Connecticut River watershed for your community and the future with a MATCHED gift today. A donation form will appear below and some browsers require a few seconds to load. Thanks for your patience and support! Photo above by Ayla Skorupa. Other Ways to Give Donate by Mail Please mail your check, made out to Connecticut River Conservancy, to: 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301 Donate by Phone To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact us at 413-772-2020 More Ways to Give Learn about legacy and workplace giving, sponsorships, stock donations and more with more ways to give. For questions about making your gift to support Connecticut River Conservancy, contact Brett at bmorrison - at - ctriver.org or call 413.772.2020 x218.

Careers The Connecticut River Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We understand that many folks who may be impacted by biased hiring standards, such as women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC applicants, may only apply if they meet every requirement listed in a job posting. If you are interested in any of the opportunities below and believe you meet most of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply. Number of jobs found: 0 There are currently no available positions. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified when new ones become available. Interested in more ways to connect with us? Get Involved