By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager
Exciting progress continues at the Cherryfield Ice Control Dam project!
This week, Sargent Construction made major advancements on the temporary bypass channel being built around the dam. Once completed, the channel will allow the river to continue flowing around the construction site so work on the new fishway and dam replacement can safely move forward.
Crews continued excavation work and installed temporary barriers, called cofferdams, which help direct and control river flow during construction. Staff from the Maine Department of Marine Resources were also on site to monitor for Atlantic salmon and help ensure fish remain protected throughout the project.
Looking ahead to next week, we expect to see water begin flowing through the bypass channel for the first time — an exciting milestone for this project. Additional cofferdam work will also continue upstream of the ice piers.
As construction progresses, community members may notice lower-than-normal water levels upstream of the dam. This is a temporary and necessary part of the process that allows crews to safely access the work area and keep the project moving forward.
Thank you to everyone for respecting road closures and helping our contractors safely make incredible progress on this exciting restoration project.
