The owner, or the owner and partners should seek out an engineering firm with experience in dam removal. An engineer can evaluate the feasibility of removal and prepare a design plan. The long‐term effectiveness of river restoration is a function of site‐specific conditions; therefore, once a project has progressed to a design phase, it is critical to assess conditions that may influence the restoration approach or outcome. The presence of sediment, hydrologic and hydraulic regimes, and infrastructure such as bridges or culverts should all be considered