This summer marked a major milestone for the Middlesex Land Trust: The completion of the dam removal and stream restoration at Highland Pond Preserve in Middletown. The project has transformed a century-old impoundment into a reconnected, free-flowing stretch of Sawmill Brook.
At its heart, this effort is about restoring the natural hydrology and stream habitat of Sawmill Brook so it can once again function as a connected ecosystem. By reestablishing the brook’s natural flow, we’ve reconnected its headwaters to Long Island Sound and in the process restored the ability of fish to migrate upstream. The restored channel now supports a variety of habitats–pools, riffles, and flood plains–that will benefit native fish, aquatic invertebrates, and wildlife throughout the surrounding landscape.
With the dam gone and a series of naturalized rock weirs in place, fish and other aquatic life can move freely upstream for the first time in more than a century. The improved flow opens habitat for brown and brook trout, white sucker, American eel, common shiner, fallfish, and blacknose dace. Over time, as downstream populations strengthen, migratory species such as alewife and sea lamprey may also return to the upper reaches of the brook.
The project also restores vital floodplain habitat, which helps absorb and slow high flows, filter runoff, and support native plants that stabilize soils and provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and amphibians. To accelerate recovery of areas impacted during the removal of the dam, more than 30 native trees and shrubs have been planted. Eventually, these plantings will further enhance the habitat and provide scenic beauty .
Beyond these ecological gains, the project also brings a meaningful safety improvement. The former dam–built in the late 1800s and classified by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection as a “Significant Hazard” structure–no longer poses a downstream risk.
Visitors will be glad to know that the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail is open again between Bell Street and Atkins Street. However, areas north of Sawmill Brook that were disturbed during construction will remain temporarily closed to allow vegetation to establish and soils to stabilize. These areas will be reassessed in 2026 as recovery continues.
The transformation of Highland Pond Preserve is a powerful demonstration of restoration in action—reviving a stream, renewing habitat, and allowing Sawmill Brook to once again flow freely through a thriving natural landscape.
This project was made possible through generous support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Long Island Sound Futures Fund and the Connecticut Port Authority. The Middlesex Land Trust extends its sincere thanks to our project partners–RiverWork, LLC; SumCo Eco-Contracting, LLC; and Biohabitats, Inc.–for their expertise and dedication throughout planning, design, and construction. Their collective effort helped make the vision for a restored Sawmill Brook a reality.