89 necessary. As a result, many dams that remain on the Fox River no longer serve their intended purpose. In recent years, an increasing number of embankments have been considered for removal in the interests of ecology, water quality, and public safety. Currently, the two dams in the planning stages of removal are located in North Aurora and Carpentersville.9 Of those that still stand, seven structures are being considered for demolition. Though the remedy may appear clear, the demolition verdict depends on the dam's direct effect on the surrounding areas. In some instances, dam removal may not be optimal. For example, it may give invasive fish an opportunity to infest new territory or be too costly of a project for a city to take on. Nonetheless, the benefits of dam deconstruction will likely outweigh the cons by leaps and bounds. Regardless of the conditions, dam destruction could be critical in restoring the natural pattern of the ecosystem. Stream specialists that researched the Fox River discovered that following dam removal, the number of fish species increased by 6%, with most results being "almost immediate."10 Thus, removing such dams would aid in the restoration of biodiversity and ecological equilibrium within the river. After a century of damming, deepening, and straightening rivers, hydrologists and aquatic ecologists have become more conscious of the harm dams inflict on riverine ecosystems and the people who enjoy them.11 These types of barriers are now understood to degrade stream health and create hazardous conditions for river users. It now seems likely that despite their role in local history, all of the Fox River’s dams will eventually be removed. 9 “RIVER RESTORATION | Fox River StudyGroup.” n.d. Fox River Study Group. Accessed November 10, 2022. https://www.foxriverstudygroup.org/river-restoration. 10 Cosier, Susan. 2019. “After a Century of Being Dammed Up, Illinois Rivers Get to Go with the Flow.” NRDC. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/after-century-being-dammed-illinois-rivers-get-go-flow. 11 Ibid.
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