Man-made stream barriers such as low-head dams and culvert road crossings are detrimental to stream ecology in a multitude of ways and are of concern to natural resource managers, biologists, and ecologists. This concern extends to fish and other aquatic organism passage and movement, aquatic organism population genetics, sediment transport, stream bank erosion, water quality / limnology, etc.  Because streams are linear systems, those flowing through natural areas can be significantly impacted by barriers within natural areas as well as those upstream or downstream. Therefore, natural area managers should be aware of and supportive of barrier removal projects that restore stream system connectivity, regardless of the actual location of the barrier. 

This discussion will demonstrate how stream barriers can be inventoried, prioritized, and removed. Examples will include national perspectives including some western states, the Southeastern US, and specifically, Arkansas. Also, programs and projects from the Southeast Aquatic Resource Partnership (SARP) and the Arkansas Stream Heritage Partnership will be highlighted.