| 10th Anniversary of the Edwards Dam Removal on Maine’s Kennebec River |
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| Written by American Rivers | |
| Tuesday, 23 June 2009 | |
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Augusta, Maine - Since the removal of the Edwards Dam, the Kennebec River has seen the resurgence of healthy sea-run fish populations. The removal of the Edwards Dam and subsequent changes on the river are a national model for ecosystem restoration, and offer lessons for other rivers and other communities.
The dam removal opened up 17 river miles, making the Kennebec a free-flowing river from the city of Waterville to the sea for the first time in more than 160 years. Within the first year of the removal at least eight of the native sea-run fish species had been documented using the newly restored habitat, and water quality in the river had improved from Class C to Class B. Ten years later, the Kennebec supports thriving recreational fisheries for striped bass and American shad, a restored commercial fishery for alewife and other river herring, and growing river-based recreation opportunities. Communities along the Kennebec are investing in public access to the Kennebec, and enjoying the benefits of the river’s recovery. The quality of life for people who reside along the Kennebec has also improved, as restoration of the river created an increasingly attractive place to work, fish, paddle, camp, hike, and live while enjoying the scenic river. The removal of Edwards Dam marked a turning point for river restoration in our nation. It was the first time the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered a dam removed for ecological reasons. Since 1999, many other communities around the country have considered dam removal. |
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