Based on isolated stories about dam removals in recent years, environment team member Michael Casey wanted to find out whether dam demolitions were increasing across the U.S. Contacting several federal sources, Casey confirmed that an infusion of hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure funding was helping fuel historic numbers of dam removals. To identify the best place to ground this trend for photos and video, he and Wisconsin statehouse reporter Todd Richmond compiled a list of dams slated to be torn down this summer. Over many weeks, they also researched sites and interviewed federal wildlife officials and river restoration advocates about the biodiversity, public safety and recreational benefits of removing hundreds of often-derelict dams that no longer serve their original purpose. Video journalist Erik Verduzco and photographer Mike Stewart documented the capture and relocation of salamanders, as well as a dam demolition with heavy equipment. The package combined their strong images and video with Casey’s comprehensive reporting.
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