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Maine River Barrier Gone for Endangered Salmon
21 Sep
Summary
- A 60-year-old dam on the Narraguagus River was removed.
- A new nature-like fishway will restore salmon migration routes.
- The project aims to help endangered Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon.
In a significant conservation effort, a 60-year-old ice-control dam on Maine's Narraguagus River has been removed. Construction of a new nature-like fishway was underway since June 2026 and is expected to be completed by November 2026. This initiative aims to restore vital migration routes for endangered Atlantic salmon.
The dam, built in 1961 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, had long obstructed salmon, shad, and river herring from reaching their upstream spawning grounds. The new design mimics a natural stream channel, intended to maintain flood control while allowing fish to pass more freely.
Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon are listed as endangered, with only about 1,000 returning annually across the state. This project's success is a crucial step, but long-term recovery faces challenges like warming waters. Scientists are monitoring progress using shad as an indicator species.
The restoration effort is a multi-generational project, dependent on continued community and conservation group collaboration. By reconnecting habitats, this project buys time and creates conditions for a potential salmon comeback.
