Cherryfield Dam Decommissioned
Sometimes it takes an act of Congress. Literally.
The Cherryfield ice dam removal project on the Narraguagus River has been over 10 years in the making and like any long-term project, there have been many fords to cross, some bigger than others. On December 18th, one of the last big hurdles was completed– the passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This bill includes measures to de-authorize the Cherryfield ice control dam from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction and transfer control to the Town of Cherryfield.
The Cherryfield dam was built in 1961 to address flooding caused by ice jams, but it blocked passage of the fishway. Following a five-year study by the Army Corps of Engineers that concluded a natural fishway should replace the dam, Cherryfield voters approved the move in 2023. Downeast Salmon Federation received a $9.1 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fish Passage Grant Program to spearhead the project, and construction is estimated to begin in 2026.
A bird’s-eye rendering of the new nature-like fishway
The Narraguagus River is considered a waterway of national significance, with some of the highest quality habitat for Atlantic salmon in the Downeast Salmon Habitat Recovery Unit. The new fishway will allow anadromous fish such as herring, alewives, and the endangered Atlantic salmon to migrate upstream by improving access and helping these fish to return to their spawning and rearing grounds. It will also support the Town of Cherryfield in its efforts to conserve local habitats and recreation while continuing to allow for alewife harvest and ice control.
While waiting for the final passage of WRDA, project partners (including the Town of Cherryfield, The Nature Conservancy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation) continued to make progress on other aspects of the project. Design plans are underway, with 60% of the design on track to be completed in March, and this month final artistic renderings were also completed.
On January 14th, DSF and project partners will be hosting an informational meeting at Cherryfield Academy at 5:30pm to garner ideas and community input for improvements to Cable Pool Park. This open discussion will serve as a great place for residents to collectively envision the future of the Park and to learn more about the current status of the project. Mark your calendar!
As 2024 comes to a close, we are incredibly grateful for the support of our partners, for how much we have been able to achieve this year by working together. Collaboration is key for projects of this magnitude, as is hard work, something that is no stranger to Mainers. This recent win exemplifies the commitment, determination, and persistence that is essential to restoration work in Downeast Maine. We look forward to what 2025 will bring!