Edwards Dam Removal Opened Up 17 Miles of Kennebec River To Ocean
AUGUSTA, Maine — Ten years ago Tuesday the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in Augusta was removed.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine said removing the dam was an important step in restoring the river.
The dam removal opened up 17 river miles, making the Kennebec a free-flowing river from the city of Waterville to the ocean for the first time in more than 160 years.
Removing the dam also allowed 11 species of sea-run fish to access the river.
The removal of the Edwards Dam marked the first time the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled that the value to the public of the free-flowing river was greater than that of the dam, and, subsequently, the commission ordered the dam removed.
