The removal of Gold Hill Diversion Dam was a huge step forward for the restoration of streamflow, salmon and steelhead in the Rogue River.  The removal took place over several weeks in July, 2008, culminating many years of coordination by WaterWatch, National Center for Conservation Science and Policy, Rogue Valley Council of Governments, the City of Gold Hill, federal and state fishery agencies and other stakeholders.

Site of the Gold Hill Diversion Dam after removal.  Photo taken July 28, 2008 by Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon.

 The Gold Hill Diversion Dam was a major salmon and steelhead barrier in the Rogue River before removal.  Photo by WaterWatch of Oregon.

The Gold Hill Diversion Dam was the second biggest barrier to salmon and steelhead migration on the Rogue River mainstem after Savage Rapids Dam. 

Originally the dam served a cement plant and later the City of Gold Hill used the dam to divert water for its use, but the cement plant closed and the dam became obsolete when the City installed a pumping facility.  

The removal of Gold Hill Diversion Dam, along with the upcoming removal of Savage Rapids Dam, and the potential notching or removal of Gold Ray Dam
will free 153 miles of the Rogue River for salmon and steelhead migration and boating.  In addition, the notching of Elk Creek Dam on a Rogue tributary critical to coho salmon will restore natural streamflows and restore additional habitat for Rogue Basin fish.

Watch Rogue Valley Council of Governments' video on the removal of Gold Hill Dam here.