Millington, Maryland
Endorsed by ACFHP in 2023
American Rivers aims to remove a portion of the obsolete Cypress Branch Dam to re-establish a natural stream channel through Cypress Mill Pond in the town of Millington, MD and reconnect 18 miles of upstream habitat for river herring, American shad, yellow perch, hickory shad, and a full suite of other resident fish. Project partners assume that the target migratory fish species are able to reach the base of the dam based on observations of river herring downstream in the Chester River. The proposed design includes the removal of the dam and altering the downstream channel (which is currently bifurcated) to meet the required fish passage conditions of the target species. In addition to improving fish passage conditions, this restoration project will also improve natural sediment transport by re-establishing a natural downstream channel to mobilize 3,800-4,100 cubic yards of impounded sediment.
Text and photo provided by American Rivers