| 1988 | Funding added to Fish Passage Grant and Revolving Loan Fund for fish passage investigations at Embrey Dam. |
| 1990 | Fredericksburg conducts preliminary fishway design (dam would stay in place as drinking water supply). |
| 1992 | VDGIF negotiates with Fredericksburg on Embrey fish passage issues. |
| 1994 | VDGIF conducts historical and archeological reconnaissance study (Mary Washington College) of the dam and its environs. |
| 1995 | VDGIF completes a sediment analysis study that found no hazardous materials. |
| 1996 | Fredericksburg announces decision to join with Spotsylvania County to obtain drinking water from Mott's Run Reservoir (pump storage from natural pool upstream of Embrey Dam). Embrey Dam will be obsolete. |
| 1997 | VDGIF completes a fish passage feasibility study including a sediment fate transport study (Timmons, GKY) - Conclusion: dam removal is the best fish passage option. |
| 1997 | Senator John Warner takes a strong interest in the project. |
| 1998 | US Army Corps of Engineers conducts a Reconnaissance Study to identify a federal interest in the project (identified). |
| 1999-2001 | Corps conducts a Feasibility Study. City of Fredericksburg, Commonwealth of Virginia (VDGIF) and Stafford County were the non-federal sponsors. |
| 1999 | Senator John Warner's efforts lead to wording in the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act that directs the Corps to expedite the process and to remove the dam at full federal expense. Fredericksburg, VDGIF, Friends of the Rappahannock and American Rivers partnered to support these efforts. |
| 2001-2002 | Corps prepares Final Decision Document drawing the Feasibility Study to a close. |
| 2003 | Corps initiates dredge containment site construction and dredging of 250,000 cubic yards of sediment. |
| 2004 | January: dredging project completed. |
| 2004 | February 23: Breach blast was accomplished. The demolition was carried out by the 544th Army Ranger Dive Team out of Fort Eustis and the 555th Air Force Redhorse Squadron out of Nevada. |
| 2004-2005 | Corps will complete the removal of the dam and install aeration system in historic Fredericksburg Canal. |