Dam removals will restore Souadabscook fishery

Simply stated, rivers and streams are the arteries of the earth. Equally simple, therefore, is the diagnosis that environmental health is degraded when those arteries become clogged and diseased by dams.

Although long overdue, increasing public concern for the conditions of this nation’s waterways is resulting in federal and state programs to remove defunct dams. Obviously, and thankfully, the flood of respect for rivers and streams is rising in Maine.

The forthcoming removal of the Edwards Dam, which spans the Kennebec River in Augusta, is enough to bring tears to the eyes of naturalists and environmentalists. To sportsmen, however, removal of the obstruction, which will create 17 miles of prime fisheries habitat, ranks alongside winning the lottery.

On a smaller scale, but no less important by any degree, is the pending removal of the dilapidated Souadabscook Stream grist mill dam located beneath the Route 1A bridge in Hampden. According to Bob Wengrzynek (pronounced venJENik), state biologist of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the removal of the dam is contingent on transfer of ownership to the Maine Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. The dam is owned by John Jones of Winterport. The remains of two other dams, located off Paper Mill Road a mile or so upstream, also are being considered for removal.

As the “head guide” of the NRSC’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program in this neck of the woods, Wengrzynek is coordinating plans for the removal of the Souadabscook dam. Smilingly, but seriously, he refers to the nationwide impetus for dam removals as the “Daminoes Effect.”

To keep a tight line on the proposed Souadabscook project, and to avoid “false casting,” I recently met with Wengrzynek and NRCS program assistant Elaine Tremble. Let’s just say the information I hooked onto was encouraging and educational, particularly in regard to restoring runs of anadromous fish to Souadabscook Stream.

Perhaps you’ll be as surprised as I was to learn that the stream’s drainage area covers about 160 square miles. Think about that; runs of sea-run brook trout, striped bass, Atlantic salmon, alewives, smelts, shad – not to mention catadromous eels – having access, at least in part, to that much habitat. Testimony to that occurred this spring when a lower portion of the dam broke away. The opening provided alewives free-swim access to the stream’s watershed, including Hermon Pond, which is now full of the herring-like fish.

Aside from the recreational and economic importance of anadromous species once again ascending the Souadabscook, the value of the fish as forage in fisheries and wildlife food chains cannot be calculated. Eagles, ospreys, loons, herons, otters, bass, pickerel, turtles, immediately come to mind.

In discussing removal of the dam, which could be completed this summer, Wengrzynek’s and Tremble’s enthusiasm ran as high as a spring freshet. Foremost in their list of additional benefits to the town of Hampden were: elimination of flooding and erosion of the Hampden Water District site, Laskey Lane properties and Route 1A; natural revegetation and landscaping of riparian areas will improve recreational and aesthetic values; improved public safety. Maine’s Department of Transportation affirms that the dam and impoundment were sources of serious damage and expensive repairs to Route 1A and the bridge spanning the Souadabscook.

Conversely, there was no enthusiasm in my comments about the proposed expansion of the Sawyer Landfill, which casts its mountainous shadow on the Souadabscook. Truth is, I expressed total disdain for expanding the landfill, which already leaches into the stream.

Regarding aesthetics, removal of the dam will add immeasurably to the attractiveness and enjoyment of the tributary artery essential to the recovering health of the Penobscot River. Surely, canoeists and kayakers would appreciate the white-water conditions created by returning the Souadabscook to its natural state. And, most assuredly, the laughter of renewed currents at the quick jokes of ledges and gravel bars would entertain anglers casting in reborn pools. Speaking of anglers, organizations such as Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers are planning projects to survey and clean the stream.

As for enhancing the in-town aesthetics of the stream, waterfalls at the ledge-structured dam site would provide a picturesque landscape; and in a refreshing show of environmental awareness, students of the Reed’s Brook Middle School in Hampden have planted 2,500 trees on islands and shores a short distance upstream from the dam.

Disturbing, however, and somewhat amusing, are the concerns of people who believe a river or stream will run dry if a dam is removed. Moreover, they view the warm-water, low-oxygen impoundments as natural, benign ponds, while the truth of the matter is, dam impoundments are environmental malignancies.

Unlike the Penobscot River, Souadabscook Stream doesn’t run a fever in summer. Cold tributary brooks and an abundance of springs ensure that the stream stays comfortably cool in the warmest weather. Small wonder, then, that on years-ago sweltering evenings, Hampden families followed woodsy trails leading to the Souadabscook’s pine-shaded “swimming holes.”

Obviously, attractive water temperature is but one reason why, after the old grist mill dam is removed – at no cost to the town of Hampden or Hampden Water District – Souadabscook Stream again will become the outstandingfishery that it once was. Think about salmon rolling and stripers stacked in foaming rips; picture yourself dipping smelts and casting for sea-run brookies rising in dusky pools.

And while your at it, think about rivers and streams as the arteries of the earth.

Tom Hennessey’s column can be accessed on the BDN Internet page at: www.bangornews.com.