Updates from DSF
Help Bring the East Machias Hatchery Back to Life For more than a decade, Downeast Salmon Federation’s East Machias Hatchery has played an important role in the recovery of endangered Atlantic salmon in Downeast Maine. Now, we’re investing in its future. Critical upgrades to the hatchery will strengthen water treatment,…
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager Cherryfield Fish Passage Improvement Project Update – October 1, 2026 Sargent Construction has been moving quickly to remove the temporary rock barrier that kept water out of the construction area and to fill in the temporary bypass channel that carried the Narraguagus River…
Our Fall 2026 issue of Intervale is here! There’s a lot happening at Downeast Salmon Federation, and our newest issue brings you the latest from across our rivers, hatcheries, conservation lands, and communities. From major restoration projects taking shape to updates on Atlantic salmon recovery, land conservation, advocacy, and more,…
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager A major milestone in Cherryfield! This week, the Narraguagus River was reconnected through the new nature-like fishway, and the temporary bypass channel was officially decommissioned! After months of the river being routed around the project site during construction, it was incredibly rewarding…
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager With a few weeks of in-water work remaining, exciting progress continues on the Narraguagus River in Cherryfield! Sargent Corporation is nearing completion of the new step pools and water-control structure, carefully placing large boulders throughout the project area. These features are designed to…
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager With about a few weeks of in-water work remaining, exciting progress continues on the Narraguagus River in Cherryfield! Sargent Corporation is nearing completion of the new step pools and water-control structure, carefully placing large boulders throughout the project area. These features are designed…
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager More pieces of the new fishway are taking shape in the Narraguagus River! Last week, Sargent began work on the structure at the upstream end of the fishway that will help manage water levels and ice while maintaining the existing headpond. Built…
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager It’s exciting to see the nature-like fishway really beginning to take shape in the Narraguagus River! This week, crews continued building the series of step pools that will help Atlantic salmon and other sea-run fish move through this stretch of river. Large boulders…
By Alice Hotopp, Fisheries Assessment and Science Communication Specialist It’s midsummer, which means ice cream, river swims, and, most importantly, no school. While lessons may be the last thing on kids’ minds, we at DSF believe that learning is a core component of environmental stewardship, so we wanted to share…
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…