The Potomac Headwaters Fish Passage Restoration Project is a watershed scale project to reconnect over 195 miles of habitat for brook trout, American eel, and other aquatic species in the Potomac Headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay across the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The project is composed of up to 17 fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage barrier removal projects including culvert and low water bridge replacements, dam removal, and fish ladder installations. Specific project locations will be prioritized and selected in coordination with partners. These projects will assist in the reconnection of a 150 square mile super patch for native brook trout, and this increased connectivity will improve resiliency of brook trout populations by increasing access to cold water refugia and improving the species' ability to adapt to disturbances and stress. This project is part of the Potomac Headwaters River restoration effort, where an array of partners have been collectively working for over 15 years to reconnect high quality, limestone underlain, spring fed brook trout patches. Replacing failing and undersized road-stream crossings with new, properly sized infrastructure will improve public safety and ensure access to communities and recreational opportunities. Removal of obsolete and aging dams will also improve public safety. Several projects will be completed each year from 2022- 2024.

Side by side images of a culvert, image one shows two differently sized pipes and a dysfunctional culvert, the other image is the culver after construction. There is a short bridge and large box culvert opening underneath. Water flows freely.
Image Details
Improvements to the culvert on a tributary to Blue Lick Run

Quick Facts:

Project Status

Active

Location 

WV, VA, MD

NFPP Project Funding

$ 1,150,000

Restoration Techniques

Culvert and low water bridge replacements, dam removal, and fish ladder installations

Accomplishments

195 Stream Miles Reopened

Project Partner Lead

Trout Unlimited

Primary Species Benefited

Brook Trout

The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success. 

The National Fish Passage program works with local communities on a voluntary basis to restore rivers and conserve our nation’s aquatic resources by removing or bypassing barriers. These projects are designed to benefit both fish and people. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. 

Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.

Contact Information

Fish and wildlife biologist Alex Vidal with a sturgeon
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Fish and Aquatic Conservation,
National Fish Passage Program,
National Fish Habitat Partnership
Additional Role(s)
Fish Passage Coordinator
Expertise
Fish Passage,
National Fish Passage Program
Send a Message
Area
MD
ANNAPOLIS,MD

Species

Programs

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
Program
Falls Church,VA
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Improving fish passage is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for communities and...
Program

Facilities

Highland Dam Removal Site on the West Fork River in West Virginia
Appalachian Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Appalachian Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works in partnership with others to restore fish and wildlife populations and their habitats throughout the central Appalachians.  
Conservation Office
White Sulphur Springs,WV
Biologists holds an adult American Shad over a tank of water.
Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works to restore migratory fish and other aquatic species, and their habitats in the waterways of Maryland and surrounding states. We work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, coastal waters of Maryland and Delaware, and other freshwater streams of the...
Conservation Office
Annapolis,MD

Partners

Latest News

Highland Dam Removal Site on the West Fork River in West Virginia
Habitat Restoration
Fish show up after infrastructure 'glow-up'
Across the country, people are transforming and replenishing the landscape—creating new opportunities to connect with nature, improving safety around waterways, and opening river access to aquatic species.