Sebasticook River Watershed Restoration, Newport, Maine

A newly constructed fish passage on the Sebasticook River in Newport , Maine was the site of a dedication ceremony recognizing the completion of three fish passage projects.  Following the ceremony, participants had the opportunity to tour the project sites and receive a detailed description of the three projects.

Approximately 75 people gathered around to hear Federal, State and local partners speak to the benefits of the tri-project effort on the Sebasticook River , and the role that each played.  Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Town of Newport, the three projects dedicated on the cool, but sunny, day were:  the removal of the Guilford Dam, a fish passage installed on the Sebasticook Lake outlet dam, and the restoration of the river bend between Sebasticook Dam and the former Guilford Dam

"The Natural Resources Conservation Service contributed over $349,000 towards the construction of the three projects through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)", stated Bruce Julian (left), Acting State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Maine.:

     > The Natural Resources Conservation Service provided over $223,000 (75 percent of the total cost) for the structure of the fish passage, and also provided the onsite technical oversight during the construction phase of the project in collaboration with other partners.  This helped to ensure the fish passage was constructed to perform optimally.

     > The Natural Resources Conservation Service provided over $45,000 for the structural work of the dam removal, assisted with the technical oversight on the day-to-day construction, and reviewed the designs and provided comments to insure the project met Agency criteria which helped to insure the optimal performance of the project.

     > The Natural Resources Conservation Service provided over $81,000, or 73 percent, of the total construction cost for the channel restoration work, and provided oversight during construction as needed to ensure that the project met Agency criteria which helped to insure the optimal performance of the project.

The Sebasticook River is the largest tributary to the Kennebec River (946 square miles).  Historically, this productive river has supported large runs of nine different species of sea-run (anadromous) fish.  American shad, river herring (alewives and blueback herring), striped bass, rainbow smelt, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic salmon and American eel all historically used the diverse types of riverine habitats in the Sebasticook Watershed. 

To restore this important habitat, funding was secured to provide upstream and downstream fish passage for the native fish species in the upper Sebasticook River watershed. A joint project between the Town of Newport , the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this restoration work created the largest spawning and nursery habitat area for alewife in the Kennebec River watershed, which is capable of producing approximately 4.5 million adult alewives annually.  

(1) The Guilford Dam, owned by the Town of Newport and located in downtown Newport, was built more than 80 years ago.  Constructed of concrete across the East Branch of the Sebasticook River, this dam was a valuable asset to the town as well as Guilford Industries to feed a fire protection pond.  It was also an impenetrable obstacle for the movement of fish trying to swim up stream.  Now that other sources of water for fire protection are available it was decided that the dam should be removed for fish passage.

Photos:  Above left:  Guilford Dam prior to removal. 
              Above right:  Guilford Dam site after removal of dam.

(2) The Sebasticook  Lake Dam at the outlet of the lake is a 20+ year old structure that is used to maintain the water level of Sebasticook Lake.  The dam is opened in the fall to draw down the lake and flush nutrients.  Because of its importance it was decided that the dam should remain and that a fish ladder be installed to ensure migration into the lake.  A concrete pool and chute structure was designed.  The pool and chute design create still-water pools that are ideal for public viewing.  

 Right photo:  Completed fishway passage.

(3) In addition to the above two projects, the river bend was also restored between the Sebasticook Dam and the former Guilford Dam.

Left Photo:  River bend before restoration.
Photo Below:  River bend after restoration.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Town of Newport, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources were the sponsors of the projects.  Financial support was a partnership between the following entities:  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maine Department of Marine Resources, Town of Newport, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, Conservation Law Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gulf of Maine Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Wildlife Forever, Fish America Foundation, Guilford of Maine, State of Maine Economic Development, and Sebasticook Lake Association.

Also, as part of the River restoration, two fish passages were installed at and below the outlet of Plymouth Pond.  Owned by the Town of Plymouth , the Plymouth Dam is an 80+ year old concrete dam on Plymouth Pond.  Immediately downstream from the dam Martin Stream divides into two channels separated by a bedrock island.  Both channels have steep rapids and falls that potentially impede fish passage.  Because of this unique situation an Alaska steep-pass Denil fish way was installed approximately 200 feet downstream.  Two channels were cut between the two original channels to funnel the fish to the second fish way at the dam. 

Sightings of alewives have been reported at the fish ladders.