by Dick Anderson Kennebec Journal op-ed For the past five years, this editorial page has hosted a debate over the future of the Fort Halifax dam. The dam’s owner, FPL Energy, proposed removal in 2002. In filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), FPL reported that even without fish passage costs, the dam lost Read More
Edwards Dam and Kennebec Restoration
Battle of Fort Halifax Drawing to a Close?
Kennebec Journal editorial The end may finally be in sight for the long-running conflicts over the Fort Halifax Dam on the Sebasticook in Winslow. The dam is an integral part of the state and federal government’s plan to restore native, migratory fish such as alewives, shad, sturgeon and atlantic salmon to the upper reaches of Read More
Company Seeks Approval to Buy Fort Halifax Dam
Deal Would Keep Dam, Build Fish Passage By Craig Crosby, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story WINSLOW — A Boston company is primed to purchase Fort Halifax Dam with the intention of saving it from destruction. Essex Hydro Associates has reached a deal in principle to purchase the dam from FPL Energy, said Barry Flynn, vice Read More
Fort Halifax Dam: SOS Can’t Stop the Unstoppable
Kennebec Journal editorial Things changed after the 1970s, when passage of the Clean Water Act resulted in the cleanup of pollution that flowed into the rivers. And over the last 20 years, a series of legally-binding agreements were entered into by state and federal regulators, citizens and owners of several dams along the Kennebec and Read More
Passages for Fish Opened in 1998
By Doug Harlow, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story Passage for sea-run species of fish, including alewives, shad, blueback herring and Atlantic salmon up the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers is required by a 1998 agreement with the state of Maine, federal energy regulators, members of the Kennebec Coalition and hydroelectric dam owners. The Kennebec Coalition, Read More
Maine’s Newest River
by Jeff Clark Down East magazine August 2004 Five years after the demolition of Edwards Dam, the Kennebec has rebounded. Five years ago the Edwards Dam disappeared from the Kennebec River in Augusta. Today, no one misses it. Jim Thibodeau doesn’t miss it. The removal of Edwards Dam drained seventeen miles of dead-water impoundment below Read More
River Revival: Kennebec Teems with Life 5 Years after Dam Breach
by Susan M. Cover, staff writer Kennebec Journal news story AUGUSTA — The scientists from the Department of Marine Resources sit in their boat, in the middle of the Kennebec River, waiting. Like fishermen who flock to the banks of the river in Winslow hoping to land a shad or striped bass or maybe even Read More
Maine Dam May Serve as Preview
Removal of Edwards Dam in Maine provides some insight into what might happen after Embrey Dam is removed by Rusty Dennen The Free Lance-Star Thousands of people gathered around Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in July 1999 and cheered as heavy machinery carved a hole on one side of the structure. Among the throng Read More
Kennebec River Flows Free as Edwards Dam is Removed
Dam Removal Marks Turning Point for River Restoration Nationwide Statement by Brownie Carson, NRCM Executive Director Good morning and welcome to this historic celebration for the people, wildlife and communities of the Kennebec River. My name is Brownie Carson. I am the executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine and am pleased to be Read More
