List of dam removals in Maine explained

This is a list of dams in Maine that have been removed as physical impediments to free-flowing rivers or streams.__TOC__

Completed removals

Dam[1] Height Year removed Location Watercourse Watershed Notes
Little River Dam2009Lisbon
Little RiverAndroscoggin River
Farnsworth Dam2019Lisbon
Sabattus RiverWoolen mill dam.
Upper River Dam (Upper Town Dam)2022Lisbon
Timber mill dam owned by the Town of Lisbon.
Unnamed remnant dam2010Washburn
Salmon BrookAroostook River
Washburn Mill Pond Dam2014Washburn
Dam built for recreation, owned by the Town of Washburn.
Unnamed remnant dam2013Riley Township
Sunday River
Wight's Pond Dam2017Penobscot
Winslow StreamBagaduce RiverPond level dam owned by the Town of Penobscot, Maine. The dam was replaced with an fish passage to allow alewife to access the pond for spawning.[2]
Smelt Brook Dam2018Sullivan
Smelt BrookFrenchman BayDam created a trout pond. Owned by the Downeast Salmon Federation.
Kate Furbish Dam2016Brunswick
Tributary to Harpswell CoveHarpswell Sound
Edwards Dam1999Augusta
Kennebec RiverKennebec RiverThis hydroelectric dam was removed after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission refused to renew its license, marking the first time the federal government ordered the removal of a dam against the wishes of its owners.[3]
Lombard Dam2018Vassalboro
Outlet Stream
Masse Dam2017Vassalboro
Sawmill dam.
Morneau Remnants Dam2021Vassalboro
Sawmill dam.
Madison Electric Dam2006Starks
Sandy RiverHydropower dam owned by Madison Electric Works.
Fort Halifax Dam2008Winslow
Sebasticook River
Main Street Dam2002Newport
East Branch Sebasticook River
Mill Dam2000Corinna
Archer's Mill Dam1999Stetson
Stetson Stream.
Walton's Mill Dam2022Farmington
Temple StreamMill dam owned by the Town of Farmington. .
Goff Mill Brook Dam2015ArundelGoff Mill BrookKennebunk River
East Machias Dam2000East Machias
East Machias RiverMachias RiverHydropower dam owned by the Town of East Machias.
Canaan Lake Outlet Dam1999North Washington
Old Stream
Northern Stream Rock Dam2020East Machias
Northern Stream
West Winterport Dam2010Winterport and Frankfort
Marsh StreamPenobscot River
Bangor Dam1995Bangor
Penobscot River
Great Works Dam2012Old Town
Hydropower dam.
Veazie Dam2013Veazie and Eddington
Hydropower dam owned by the PPL Corporation.
Brownville Dam1999Brownville
Pleasant River (Piscataquis River tributary)
Lower Sedgeunkedunk Dam2009Brewer
Sedgeunkedunk Stream
Grist Mill Dam1998Hampden
Souadabscook Stream
Hampden Recreation Area Dam1999
Mast Point Dam1997Berwick
Salmon Falls RiverPiscataqua River
Shoreys Brook Dam2011South Berwick and Eliot
Shoreys Brook
Columbia Falls Dam1988Steuben
Pleasant River (Pleasant Bay)Pleasant River (Pleasant Bay)
Smelt Hill Dam2002Falmouth
Presumpscot RiverPresumpscot River
Saccarappa Dam 1 (east)2019Westbrook
Hydroelectric dams owned by Sappi North America/S. D. Warren Co.
Saccarappa Dam 2 (west)2019Westbrook
Swett Brook Dam2013Waterford
Swett BrookWater storage dam owned by the Portland Pipe Line Corporation.
Randall Mill Dam2013Pownal
Chandler BrookRoyal RiverSawmill dam.
Unnamed dam2012Yarmouth
Royal RiverMill dam.
Milltown Dam2023Calais
St. Croix RiverSt. Croix River
Sennebec Dam2002Union
Saint George RiverSaint George RiverDam had raised the natural water level on Sennebec Pond, and was replaced with a fish ramp that maintained the level while opening of the Saint George River and of lake habitat to fish passage. This was the last man-made barrier on the Saint George River.[4]
Martin Brook Upper Dam2010Madawaska
Martin BrookSaint John River
Sherman Lake Dam2008New Castle
Marsh RiverSheepscot River
Lower Montsweag Dam2010Wiscasset
Montsweag BrookDam was built to create an emergency water source for the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant.
Head Tide Dam2019Alna
Sheepscot RiverFormer grist mill dam owned by the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Town of Alna. The dam was partially removed and replaced with an elevated platform to allow for fish passage.[5]
Coopers Mill Dam2018Whitefield
Owned by the Town of Whitefield.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: American Rivers Dam Removal Database . . . 25 August 2023 . 13 February 2023.
  2. News: Rappaport . Stephen . Crews begin removing Wight Pond dam . 31 August 2023 . The Ellsworth American . 15 August 2017 . en.
  3. Web site: The River Runs Free . Maine State Planning Office, State House Section 38, Augusta, Maine . 2009-03-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080725131508/http://www.maine.gov/spo/specialprojects/docs/edwsdam_theriverrunsfree.pdf . July 25, 2008 .
  4. Web site: Sennebec Dam Removal Union, Maine . NOAA Community-based Restoration Program . 5 September 2023 . 2003.
  5. News: Clifford . Jessica . Head Tide Dam Project a 'Gift That's Going to Outlive Us All' . 5 September 2023 . The Lincoln County News . 7 November 2019.