Four Dams to be Removed from Lower Kennebec River to Save Endangered Atlantic Salmon
An agreement between The Nature Conservancy and Brookfield Renewable paves the way for the removal of four dams on the lower Kennebec River. This move aims to restore access to the Sandy River, benefiting endangered Atlantic salmon and other sea-run fish, while also respecting the Wabanaki people's connections to Maine's waterways.
The Sandy River and its tributaries offer ideal spawning and rearing habitats for Atlantic salmon and other sea-run fish. However, four dams above Waterville currently block their passage. These dams generate a negligible amount of hydroelectric power, with their ecological damage far outweighing their limited benefits. Removing them would open up the Kennebec River to its confluence with the Sandy River, aiding the recovery of Atlantic salmon and restoring millions more shad and river herring.
The removal of the Edwards Dam in Augusta in 1999 serves as a successful precedent. It led to a dramatic resurgence in sea-run fish populations, wildlife, and economic opportunities. Organizations involved in the current effort include the Penobscot Indian Nation, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and several environmental groups and government agencies.
With Atlantic salmon on the brink of extinction, the Kennebec River's restoration is crucial for their survival. Removing the four dams on the lower Kennebec will reconnect Atlantic salmon and other sea-run fish to the Sandy River, potentially reversing their decline and fostering a healthier ecosystem for all.
Read also:
- Managing Stormwater Efficiently through the Use of Permaculture Planning
- Young individual at Yellowstone National Park sustains severe burn injuries following a sudden collapse into a boiling hot thermal basin
- Rising hospitalizations due to severe food allergies, according to research findings.
- Important Immunizations for Newborns in Nigeria
