Maine removes 60-year-old river barrier to help Atlantic salmon return

A 60-year-old river barrier on the Narraguagus River in Maine has been removed to aid the return of Atlantic salmon. The old ice-control dam in Cherryfield, built in 1961, blocked salmon, shad and river herring from reaching their upstream spawning grounds. Construction of a nature-like fishway, designed to restore connectivity while protecting the town from ice jams and flooding, began in June and is expected to be completed by November.

Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine are listed as endangered, and only around 1,000 adults return from the sea each year. To reach threatened status, at least 1,500 wild adults need to return for multiple years. The new stepped channel aims to provide a fish-friendly passage, while also providing suitable habitat for other fish species.

Scientists will monitor the impact of the fishway using shad as a proxy for salmon and other sea-run fish, expecting to see improved movement if the fishway is successful. With climate change posing a threat to the river's water temperatures, the future of Atlantic salmon in the Narraguagus remains uncertain, with hatcheries providing crucial support for the population.