Three major hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut River between Vermont and New Hampshire could soon see a change in how water flows through them for the first time in more than four decades.

Great River Hydro, a subsidiary of Hydro-Quebec, owns the Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon dams, and has agreed to operate them as “run-of-river” facilities — where just as much water comes into the dam as flows out.

Environmental groups negotiated with Great River Hydro to secure this change, and the dam operator says it views the shift in operations as a positive one.

“This is a great and wonderful change, and we're in support of it,” said Kathy Urffer, with the Connecticut River Conservancy.

Right now, the dams are operated as “daily peaking facilities,” which pool water above them and release

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