Penobscot County Success Stories
(Bangor Field Office)

Sebasticook River Watershed Restoration

The Sebasticook River is the largest tributary to the Kennebec River (approximately 19,000 acres).  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 (including Natural Resource Conservation Service - Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program funds) 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 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.  Restoration work included the removal of a dam and the installation of three fish passages.   

The Guilford Dam was an impenetrable obstacle for the movement of fish trying to swim upstream, but it was also a valuable asset to the town to feed a fire protection pond.  However, other sources of water for fire protection became available, so it was decided that the dam should be removed for fish passage.  Another dam at the outlet of the lake is used to maintain the water level of the lake.  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 were designed.  Immediately downstream from another dam, the Plymouth dam, the stream divides into two channels separated by a bedrock island.  Both channels have steep rapids and falls that potentially impede fish passage.  A fishway was installed approximately 200 feet downstream, and two channels were cut between the two original channels to funnel the fish to the second fishway at the dam.   

Sightings of alewives have been reported at all fish ladders. 

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