Here is some really good news about the endangered American Shad.
The dam at the Ashland Mill site on the South Anna River in Ashland, Virginia, was removed in September 2024, restoring more than 400 miles of historical spawning habitat for seven species of migratory fishes, including American shad. During post-removal assessment by DWR and partners at Randolph-Macon College, a healthy American shad female full of eggs was sampled upstream of the removal site on the first full day of spring in March. This individual marks the first evidence of restored habitat use by target species in the South Anna River following the removal of Ashland Mill Dam. The photo shows Dr. Chas Gowan of Randolph-Macon College holding the fish on the front of DWR’s electrofishing boat.
