The Story of a River | Part One: The History of the Pawcatuck

In this video series, we tell the story of the Pawcatuck River from formation to restoration. The river, with its abundant wildlife and clean water, has been a bountiful resource for generations of people. But dams, pollution, and overfishing pushed fish populations dangerously low, creating a ripple effect that weakened the entire ecosystem. Fish passage projects supported by the Service and other conservation partners have now begun to restore that ecosystem by repairing fish ladders and removing dams, returning much of the river to a natural flow and improving the safety of the watershed for all.
Part One | A vibrant ecosystem that has supported human settlements for thousands of years, the Pawcatuck River comes under threat from dams and pollution. As the Industrial Revolution ramps up, migratory fish find it harder and harder to pass dams and other obstructions, leading to declining wildlife throughout the watershed.
View Part Two: • The Story of a River |...