Vermont fisheries biologists believe that removal of the Swanton Dam may be the single greatest fish habitat restoration opportunity existing in the State of Vermont.

Remove the Swanton Dam: Bring Back the Fish
Wayne Laroche, Commissioner, VT Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and others are advocating for the removal of the Swanton Dam on the Missisquoi River in Swanton Village. The dam blocks fish runs that once passed from Lake Champlain to spawning habitat below Highgate Falls.

The first dam in Swanton was built across the Missisquoi River in 1797 on short rapids the Abenaki called Tauquahunga. The dam at this site, which early English speaking settlers called Swanton Falls, was repaired and rebuilt many times. It produced water power through the 19th and first half of the 20th Centuries and played a key role in the early development of industry in the Swanton area. The dam is no longer used. It has provided no power or industrial use for more than 50 years. Most of the old mill works were removed in the 1960s when the bridge on Route 78 was constructed.

Building of dams at this site in Swanton contributed to the collapse of what had been a tremendous fisheries existing on the lower Missisquoi River prior to European settlement. Vermont historians reported that Atlantic salmon runs ceased to exist by 1840. If a native stock of landlocked salmon existed in Lake Champlain, it was completely lost at this time.

Although the original native stock of lake sturgeon still exists, only a few fish remain to spawn in the Missisquoi River. Today, this species is listed as “Endangered” in Vermont.

Lake Sturgeon can live to be 150 years old and rely on the river to spawn. Their longevity may be the only reason these fish still remain. The department has an obligation to restore endangered species and provide for fishing opportunity in Vermont. The flesh and caviar of lake sturgeon is highly valued. Restoration of a lake sturgeon fishery could provide substantial economic benefit.

The native Lake Champlain stock of muskellunge is believed to have been completely lost. The last native population of muskellunge in Vermont existed in the Missisquoi above the Swanton Dam until 1979 when it was wiped out by a pollution event. In 2008, the department began stocking efforts on the lower Missisquoi River aimed at restoring a muskellunge fishery. We hope this effort will “bring back the muskie” and create a new fishery for this exciting species.

Walleye still run from Lake Champlain up the Missisquoi each spring. These prized fish still support a fishery on the lower Missisquoi, but this fishery is not what it once was. In fact, the fishery relies on annual stocking by the Fish and Wildlife Department aided by the Lake Champlain Walleye Association. Today, more than half of all walleye returning into the Missisquoi River are stocked fish. Hatchery operations incur considerable costs that could be saved if walleye could once again reach their historic spawning grounds. One good year of natural reproduction could produce more walleye than years of stocking.

A major goal of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is restoration and improvement of fish populations and habitat in Vermont. It is the department’s responsibility to ensure the existence of abundant and healthy fish and wildlife populations of all kinds. We believe removal of this old dam in Swanton Village could result in significant improvements in existing walleye and lake sturgeon populations as well as to populations of other native fish species such as white sucker, red horse sucker and American eel.

Today, the Swanton dam continues to block upstream fish passage from Lake Champlain to historic spawning grounds below Highgate Falls. Vermont fisheries biologists believe that removal of the Swanton Dam may be the single greatest fish habitat restoration opportunity existing in the State of Vermont. Dam removal would allow fish from Lake Champlain to run upstream all the way to Highgate Falls, opening up 7.5 miles of the river to fish runs and new fishing opportunities.

A great deal of spawning habitat for many species of fish exists upstream of the Swanton Dam. Work by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has found that an abundance of walleye and lake sturgeon spawning habitat exists within the 7 ½ mile reach of the river above the dam, up to 1,000 times more than below the dam.

The Village of Swanton owns the Swanton Dam. The department is seeking approval from the Village of Swanton to remove the dam. At this time, the only known obstacle to removing this old dam is approval by the Village of Swanton. Some people in the Village are currently opposed to removing the dam for various reasons. Some argue that the dam is historical. Some people argue that the dam might be used to generate electricity. Some argue that they have grown up seeing the dam and are concerned that the change will make the river look different.

There have been moves toward small hydro-power in recent years of high energy prices. The potential for power generation at the Swanton Dam site is limited. The very fact that the dam has remained unused for more than fifty years attests to this. Any consideration of power generation value will have to be weighted against the potential value of a restored fishery.

Some may also worry that removing the Swanton Dam might lead to removal of the Highgate Falls dam which does produce a good supply of electricity. There is no fisheries argument to be made for removing the Highgate Falls dam. Even large Atlantic salmon that may have come all the way from the ocean up the Richelieu River through Lake Champlain to the Missisquoi were never reported to scale the 30-40 foot natural falls on which the Highgate Falls dam is built.

Indeed, a lot of history surrounds dams and the dam site in Swanton Village. In fact, dams were built and rebuilt at this site. Through the years, most dams were of wooden crib dam construction.

Dams provided power to an ever changing array of mills from 1797 to 1945. Very little of the history surrounding dams and mills in Swanton can be gleaned by looking at what remains of the relatively recent eight-foot high concrete dam and mill works that can be seen from the bridge on Route 7. The marble mill and works were demolished and filled in when the new bridge was replaced in the mid-1960s.

The telling of the history of this site could provide considerable value to the Village and community. A great deal of interesting history, in fact, pre-dates construction of the first dam in 1797. This history is just as interesting as the history of the dams and mills. French settlers were the first to use the site for water power. They built a sawmill in 1747 located a little downstream of the present Swanton Dam. The French cut a channel through the ledge to supply water to the mill.

The British sent 200 troops to Swanton on October 5th, 1759. They chased away the French inhabitants and burned the fifty or so houses in the village as well as the mill. The French mill had produced oak and pine lumber which was used to build sailing ships at St. Jean on the Richelieu River. Some of these vessels were engaged on Lake Champlain during the French and Indian War.

Even earlier history surrounds the Abenaki occupation of this site. The short rapid known as Tauquahunga and later Swanton Falls is the first upstream obstacle to fish passing upstream from Lake Champlain. This must have provided a superb fishing opportunity during ice free times of the year. Undoubtedly, the proximity of the nearby Abenaki village was no accident.

The word “story” is part of the word “history.” Indeed, there are many interesting stories involving the lower Missisquoi River area and activities surrounding Tauquahunga. Arguably, those stories could be told just as well, perhaps even better, if the dam were removed and fish runs once more restored to pass from Lake Champlain to Highgate Falls. It is one thing to appreciate the value of recounting the stories of history. It would be quite an experience and thrill to see massive fish runs with one hundred pound sturgeon leaping into the air. Early Vermont historians wrote of such events. This is not just a dream. It could happen. The values of restored fisheries could be tremendous.

We have an obligation to work toward and dream of a better future for our children and ourselves. Thomas Jefferson once wrote: "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." Perhaps, we could work to ensure more of both.

At this point in time, money has been set aside for fish habitat improvement in Vermont. This money could be used for removal of the Swanton Dam. Since all dams deteriorate through time and sooner or later require costly maintenance, the Village of Swanton will have to spend money on this dam, either to repair or remove it. The department believes resources are available now for dam removal that would make it possible to remove the dam with no cost to the Village or community.

Removal of the Swanton dam is an opportunity to remove future costs to the people of Swanton. On the other hand, there may be other creative opportunities by which the Village and local businesses might benefit from removal of the dam and improvement of the fisheries resources. These opportunities may not always exist in the future.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department plans to encourage discussion and continue to advocate for removal of this dam. We believe, if people are thoughtful and work together, there will be positive benefits to the fisheries, river, business and community.

We need your support.

Additional Information
July 23 — The “True North” radio show hosted by Paul Beaudry will discuss the Swanton Dam removal issue with Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, Wayne Laroche, 8:00-9:00 a.m. The show will air on WRSA 1420 AM and WTWK 1070 AM. Callers are invited to ask questions or make comments on this issue (call-in number 1-888-860-7937).

August 1 — Take a tour of the lower Missisquoi River. Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife will host an event beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Fishing Access on Route 7 at John’s Bridge to provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the Swanton Dam and lower Missisquoi River. There will be opportunities to get out on the river with fishery biologists and other technical experts who will answer questions. Boat trips will be available or you can bring your own canoe or kayak.

August 6 — A public meeting will be held a the Swanton Municipal Complex, 7:00-9:00 p.m. to provide further information concerning the Missisquoi River, fisheries and Swanton Dam removal. People will be encouraged to express their concerns, ask questions and engage in conversations related to the issue of dam removal and restoration of the lower Missisquoi River.