Danforth Fishway-Build Maine Award recipient 2024
The Atlantic Salmon Federation’s initiative to construct a pool and weir fishway at the Baskahegan Dam aims to restore nearly 8,960 acres and 137 miles of stream habitat for migratory fish, including alewives and Atlantic salmon. This project builds on a 30-year collaborative effort involving federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations to remove barriers and enhance fish populations across the Penobscot watershed.
Historically, the Penobscot River supported millions of migratory fish, serving as a vital resource for the Penobscot Nation, whose culture and sustenance relied heavily on these species. However, industrialization led to the construction of over 100 dams, pollution, and a steep decline in fish populations, disrupting ecosystems and eroding the Nation’s cultural traditions. The new fishway not only supports the restoration of self-sustaining alewife runs but also bolsters the ecosystem, benefiting species from river otters to groundfish in the Gulf of Maine.
Efforts to restore Atlantic salmon and river herring populations have already shown promise, with the Maine Department of Marine Resources recording the highest Atlantic salmon count in over a decade and river herring numbers exceeding 6 million in restored sections. River herring play a keystone role in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, providing critical sustenance for a variety of species and indirectly shielding juvenile salmon from predators. By addressing ecological, cultural, and economic needs, the Danforth Fishway Project exemplifies how habitat restoration can revive ecosystems and strengthen connections between people and the natural world.
Highlights
- General Contractor: Sargent Corporation
- Time Period: July 2023 to November 2023
- Concrete: 606 Yards
- Reinforcing: 26.5 Tons
- Safe Man Hours: 5,785
- Days of Lost Time: 0
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