Projects
Maine Atlantic Salmon Trap Count Statistics
Maine Department of Marine Resources, Bureau of Sea-Run Fisheries and Habitat staff conduct routine monitoring of the abundance and status of adult Atlantic salmon and other fish species in many Maine rivers. MDMR Staff operates on the Penobscot River (Milford Dam), Androscoggin River (Brunswick Dam), and Narraguagus River (Cherryfield Dam). Brookfield Renewable Partners operates traps on the Kennebec River (Lockwood Dam), the Union River (Ellsworth Dam), The Penobscot River (Orono Dam) and at two hydroelectric projects on the Saco River (Skelton and Cataract Dams). The St. Croix Waterway Commission operates a trap at the Milltown Dam on the St. Croix River. Benton Falls Associates operates a trap on the Sebasticook River (Benton Falls Dam). Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp operates a trap on the Aroostook River (Tinker Dam). These fish counting facilities are typically operated from May through early November each year. Staff update the statewide trap catch summary weekly or more often during the peak of the fish migrations. The statewide trap catch table includes counts of sea-run salmon captured on Maine rivers and salmon removed from the river as broodstock for restocking of Maine rivers and DOES NOT include captures of aquaculture strays or captive reared adult salmon released from Federal hatcheries.
Walker Pond- Bagaduce River Restoration Project
Partnerships Key to Habitat Restoration Success in the Bagduce River Watershed.
Magic on the River
The Sheepscot River is home to the southernmost genetically unique wild populations of Atlantic salmon remaining. Located just upstream from the tidal influence and as the gateway to the entire upper watershed, the dam in Head Tide along the Sheepscot was imperative to address for recovery potential. A dam has existed in this reach for over 250 years but finally in 2019, the Head Tide Dam was modified as a result of several years of culminating effort to restore safe and timely migratory passage. The project removed the western portion of the dam while keeping the majority of the spillway in place to comply with legal deed covenant. A viewing platform over the new opening was installed along with interpretive signage describing the ecology of the river and its rich mill history. Other improvements included a new path to the river, improved public parking, and a concrete wall to prevent erosion and protect historic mill remnants present on the site.
USFWS Refuge Staff Aid Partners in Restoring Atlantic Salmon Habitat in Downeast Maine
During the summer of 2014, Moosehorn and Aroostook National Wildlife Refuges provided staff (Mike Krug, Brandon Harriman and Kirk Cote) and heavy equipment to assist with the installation of two 8’ wide (52’ long) open bottom arches and complete removal of culverts at 4 other locations within Project SHARE’s restoration focus areas in the Narraguagus and East Machias Rivers.
Atlantic Salmon Refugia Identification
USGS/NOAA Partnership
USFWS Programmatic Stream Crossing Consultation
USFWS, FEMA, and USCAE in Maine have collaborated on a programmatic Endangered Species Act section 7 consultation that will facilitate recovery of the endangered Atlantic salmon and promote healthy stream ecosystems.
Multimedia
Features videos produced by our partners. For news videos see News and Announcements>Media Coverage.
World Fish Migration Day
World Fish Migration Day is a one day global event to call attention to open rivers and migratory fish. In Maine, we have events scheduled throughout the month of May. Come celebrate with us!
2015 Narraguagus River Ice Out Time Lapse Photography
Time Lapse Photography of Ice out on the Narraguagus below the Ice Control Dam. The USFWS Maine Fishery Resources Office monitored ice out on the Narraguagus River near Cherryfield, Maine from March 31 to April 28, 2015. Photos were taken every 5 minutes from 6AM to 7PM. File is quite large at 80 mb for 4 locations- from Ice Control Dam to Veterans Park in Cherryfield.
West Branch Brook
Project SHARE conducted a preconstruction site assessment of the 30-00-0 road crossing of West Branch Brook. West Branch Brook is a head water tributary of the Narraguagus River. The Beddington Lake HUC 12 is the top priority focus area for Atlantic salmon restoration in the Narraguagus River. Funding for this project was provided by the Gulf of Maine Council with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Maine Fishery Resources Office.