The Nequasset Fish Ladder
The Nequasset fish ladder is located in Woolich, Maine. It is located at the southern end of Nequasset Lake, which supplies most of the drinking water for the Bath Water District.
In 2010, the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) ran a lecture series on ecological recovery that caught the attention of Bath Water District Superintendent Trevor Hunt. After learning that alewives are a crucial keystone species, Hunt asked KELT to manage the restoration of the fish ladder at Nequasset Dam in Woolwich, ME to allow for maximum fish passage through the dam. Since 2010, KELT has been working with the Bath Water District to repair the crumbling 58 year-old fish ladder.
Nequasset lake is impounded by a concrete pool and dam. The wier style fish ladder in need of repair is integrated into the dam and allows for river herring to enter the 537 acre lake, which is optimal spawning habitat for the keystone species (alewife and blueback herring).
KELT determined that the fish ladder at Nequasset Dam is the most critical site for restoration of the river herring population in the state due to the large area of suitable habitat above the dam site. Less than 5% of anadromous fish spawning ground remains accessible today due to blockages like dams, but fisheries experts estimate that the restored passage at Nequasset may be able to support over 400,000 fish each season!
The Nequasset alewife run is one of only 19 remaining runs open to commercial harvests in Maine because of careful management for the last 60 years. One local family has managed the alewife run for long term sustainability because it contributes to the community's infrastructure and culture. Hence, restoration of the fish ladder is essential to continuing tradition, maintaining a healthy stock of river herring, and restoring the Gulf of Maine ecosystem.
For more information about the Nequasset fish ladder, or to sign up to help with the count in person, visit the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust website: http://kennebecestuary.org/resources/nequasset-fish-ladder-restoration
In 2010, the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) ran a lecture series on ecological recovery that caught the attention of Bath Water District Superintendent Trevor Hunt. After learning that alewives are a crucial keystone species, Hunt asked KELT to manage the restoration of the fish ladder at Nequasset Dam in Woolwich, ME to allow for maximum fish passage through the dam. Since 2010, KELT has been working with the Bath Water District to repair the crumbling 58 year-old fish ladder.
Nequasset lake is impounded by a concrete pool and dam. The wier style fish ladder in need of repair is integrated into the dam and allows for river herring to enter the 537 acre lake, which is optimal spawning habitat for the keystone species (alewife and blueback herring).
KELT determined that the fish ladder at Nequasset Dam is the most critical site for restoration of the river herring population in the state due to the large area of suitable habitat above the dam site. Less than 5% of anadromous fish spawning ground remains accessible today due to blockages like dams, but fisheries experts estimate that the restored passage at Nequasset may be able to support over 400,000 fish each season!
The Nequasset alewife run is one of only 19 remaining runs open to commercial harvests in Maine because of careful management for the last 60 years. One local family has managed the alewife run for long term sustainability because it contributes to the community's infrastructure and culture. Hence, restoration of the fish ladder is essential to continuing tradition, maintaining a healthy stock of river herring, and restoring the Gulf of Maine ecosystem.
For more information about the Nequasset fish ladder, or to sign up to help with the count in person, visit the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust website: http://kennebecestuary.org/resources/nequasset-fish-ladder-restoration
Nequasset Dam and fish ladder at high water. Photo courtesy of: http://kennebecestuary.org/
References:
River Herring Photo Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com/medford/news/x1405826075/Mystic-River-Herring-Run-estimated-at-198-932?photo=0#axzz2PRvwB1rv
All information above was obtained from the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust.
All information above was obtained from the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust.