Officials hope removing a 95-year-old dam from the Salmon River at Fort Covington will revive sport fishing on the popular northern New York waterway.

State environmental officials say the project will benefit a variety of fisheries, including valued commercial fish like American eel and popular sport fish like walleye, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, brown trout and rainbow trout. Lake sturgeon may also benefit. The project will also improve habitat for a state-listed threatened species, the Eastern sand darter.

In addition, removing the 175-foot long dam in Franklin County will improve public safety and enhance recreational boating opportunities.

Officials are hoping to begin the project this week but that depends on the weather.