Maine’s salmon, and salmon anglers, have reason to rejoice. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has purchased four hydroelectric dams on Maine’s lower Kennebec River — Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and Weston — with plans to ultimately decommission and remove them. The deal, finalized on September 15 with Brookfield Renewable, sets the stage for the largest river restoration project in the Northeast and holds enormous promise for the future of Maine’s fish populations, especially the Atlantic salmon.
“The vision… is for a free-flowing river on the lower Kennebec, accomplished in a way that both restores the river’s ecological health and strengthens the region’s economic vitality,” said Kate Dempsey, State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Maine, in a press release.
A Century-Old Obstacle to Salmon Spawning Finally Removed
For decades, the four dams, located in and between Waterville and Skowhegan, have stood as concrete barriers between the Gulf of Maine and one of the most important cold-water spawning habitats for Atlantic salmon: the Sandy River.
Each year, fewer than 100 adult Atlantic salmon make it past the Lockwood Dam, and only by being captured and trucked upstream, a process with poor survival rates for juveniles on their downstream return. Experts now say restoring fish passage to the Sandy River could lead to a dramatic rebound.
“This run of adult fish could go from less than 100 on average to several hundred in a really short time,” John Burrows, VP of U.S. Operations at the Atlantic Salmon Federation told The Maine Monitor.
Other species expected to benefit include American shad, river herring, American eel, and threatened Atlantic sturgeon. The ecological improvements may also ripple far beyond the Kennebec Valley.
“Fully restoring and reconnecting the Sandy River with the Gulf of Maine… will result in tremendous, long-lasting economic, social, and ecological benefits,” Burrows added.
Boosts to Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
With restored spawning access, the Kennebec River could once again serve as a powerhouse nursery for forage fish like river herring, vital bait for Maine’s lobster industry.
“River herring are a crucial forage stock in our ecosystems and a preferred bait for lobster fishermen,” Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, said to The Maine Monitor.
After past dam removals on the Kennebec, herring runs surged by more than 1,000%, according to a 2020 study. A similar explosion in forage fish could reduce bait costs for lobstermen while feeding recovering populations of cod, striped bass, and sturgeon in the Gulf of Maine.
Recreational anglers may also have much to celebrate. The return of wild Atlantic salmon and other migratory fish will likely create new angling opportunities in areas long devoid of meaningful runs.
“The Kennebec has the potential to become one of the best salmon rivers in the country again,” said Alexandre Mas, Deputy State Director for TNC.
Energy Tradeoffs and Local Impacts
The four dams currently produce 46 megawatts of hydropower, which amounts to roughly 6% of Maine’s hydro capacity in 2023. While this is not insignificant, The Nature Conservancy argues that the ecological benefits and long-term resilience of Maine’s fisheries outweigh the energy loss.
Brookfield Renewable will continue to operate the dams under long-term agreements for the next several years, providing time for community consultation and federal licensing processes. Local municipalities will also continue receiving property tax revenue during this transitional period.
Skowhegan’s Whitewater Future and a Thriving River Economy
Not all benefits are measured in kilowatts or fish counts. In Skowhegan, community leaders see river restoration as an opportunity to grow the region’s outdoor recreation economy.
“Removing the Weston dam… could create an even greater opportunity to design world-class whitewater features,” said Kristina Cannon, President of Main Street Skowhegan, in a press release.
A new river park could generate $625,000 in annual local revenue, helping to offset tax losses from dam removal.
Protecting Industry While Restoring the River
Of particular concern is the Somerset Mill, a major employer in Skowhegan, which relies on water diverted by the Shawmut Dam. In the past, dam removal proposals drew fierce opposition from Sappi North America, which feared the mill would be forced to shut down.
Now, TNC is working directly with Sappi to develop technical solutions that would maintain the mill’s water supply without compromising fish restoration.
Next Steps and the Road Ahead
A new nonprofit, the Kennebec River Restoration Trust, is being formed to manage the dams and oversee their decommissioning. The Nature Conservancy has raised $138 million toward the $168 million purchase, with another $140 million needed to complete the federal deregulation and removal process over the next decade (The Maine Monitor).
“Each site is a project unto itself,” Mas said in an interview. “And we need to take the time to get the plan right.”
While this isn’t happening overnight, the tide has undeniably turned for the Kennebec. Anglers, conservationists, and communities alike now have a rare chance to witness the rebirth of a river, and all the life that flows with it.
What This Means for Anglers
If you fish in Maine, this could be the most exciting development in decades. The restored river system promises to bring back strong runs of sea-run fish, new opportunities for recreational fishing, and a rejuvenated river ecosystem that supports everything from stripers in the estuaries to trout and salmon upstream.
Stay tuned, because the Kennebec River is coming back — and the fish are too.
Kennebec River Dam Removals: A Timeline of Restoration
| Year | Event |
| 1999 | Edwards Dam removed in Augusta—the first federally ordered removal of a functioning hydroelectric dam for environmental reasons. River herring runs surged by 228%. |
| 2008 | Fort Halifax Dam removed in Winslow, opening the Sebasticook River. River herring runs increased by 1,425%. |
| 2025 | TNC and Brookfield finalize $168M agreement for the sale of the four lower Kennebec dams: Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and Weston. |
| 2026–2028 | Federal licensing processes and stakeholder consultations begin. Interim operations continue under Brookfield management. |
| 2028–2035 (estimated) | Staggered dam removals and infrastructure redevelopment led by the new Kennebec River Restoration Trust. Exact dates to be determined based on environmental and engineering studies. |
| 2035+ | Full fish passage expected to the Sandy River, restoring over 800 miles of river and stream habitat. Long-term monitoring and restoration continue. |
