Gold Hill Diversion Dam

Gold Hill Diversion Dam was an 8 foot high concrete dam spanning the Rogue River a mile upstream of Gold Hill, Oregon. The dam was the second greatest barrier to fish passage in the Rogue River basin. Salmon migrating downstream passed into the dam’s diversion canal and were trapped or injured. Adult salmon were slowed by the dam on their way back to their spawning grounds.

In 2005, the City of Gold Hill constructed a new municipal water supply intake, making the dam obsolete.

Construction crews began dam removal on July 8th, 2008 and finished in mid-August of that year. After the dam was removed, the canal intake area was sealed, keeping water and fish out. Streambanks along the project area were restored and replanted following dam removal.

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and NOAA’s Restoration Center funding made this removal effort possible. Check out this video on the removal of Gold Hill Diversion Dam: