A dam that environmentalists say is a major impediment to fish passing in the Pawcatuck River in South Kingstown is set to be removed.

The project received $2.3 million in federal money following Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Scott Comings, associate state director for the Nature Conservancy, said removing the concrete dam will restore the river's connection from Little Narragansett Bay to Worden's Pond, improving fish passage and reducing the risk of flooding.

At one time, 10 dams operated. Three were removed and three washed out.

The dam being removed was built to direct water to a man-made sluiceway. Water flowing through the sluiceway was used to power the mill, which is no longer used.