Aquatic species need to move, oftentimes migrating between different ecosystems and locations throughout their lives. Lakes provide crucial habitat for many species but sometimes the connections between lakes and other systems are blocked - either by a physical barrier like a dam or undersize road culvert, or by an abiotic barrier like unsuitable water temperatures or poor water quality. This webinar will introduce how different barriers impact aquatic organisms and how barrier removal reconnects critical pathways to support resilient and self-sustaining populations, often benefitting the human communities connected to these systems. Case studies from the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership will be showcased to demonstrate success of barrier removal projects within lake systems and the response in aquatic organism passage.