• A channel 27 feet deep and 150 feet wide extending from the river mouth to a point 13 miles upstream at Bath.

• A channel 17 feet deep and 150 feet wide along the east side of Swan Island and extending to Gardiner. The channel depth increases to 18 feet through rock at Lovejoy Narrows, at the northeastern corner of Swan Island.

• A training wall at Beef Rock Shoals, at the southeast corner of Swan Island.

• A training wall above Sands Island, near the Dresden/Pittston town line.

• A 16-foot-deep channel at Gardiner.

• A channel 11 feet deep and 150 feet wide to the head of navigation in Augusta.

-- Bay Point to the Father Curran Bridge (from Thorne Head Narrows in North Bath to the Edwards Dam in Augusta, excluding Perkins Township [Subdivision law]).

-- Route 148 Bridge in Madison to the Caratunk and Forks Plantation townline, excluding the western shore in Corncord township, Pleasant Ridge Plantation and Carrying Place Township and excluding Wyman Lake [Subdivision law].

-- Confluence of the Dead and Kennebec Rivers up to but not including the Harris Dam.

Roach River

Second Roach Pond to First Roach Pond. The Roach River between Second Roach Pond and North Inlet on First Roach Pond is 1.75 miles long. The vertical drop is approximately 35 feet from the outlet of Second Roach Pond to First Roach Pond. This section of the Roach River is comprised of a variety of runs, riffles and small, shallow pools. The upper half of this section was surveyed in 1971 and the remainder was completed in 1983.

The river bottom is generally covered with small rock and cobble, unlike the river below First Roach Pond. The most suitable gravel areas for spawning are found near the mouth of the river above North Inlet. Future visits to this and other areas along the river are needed to confirm actual use by adult salmon.

There is an area of larger rocks and boulders in the section below the Scott Paper Company bridge that crosses the river. This appears to have the maximum potential for salmon parr habitat of any area between Second Roach Pond and First Roach Pond. The site was electrofished in 1982 and 1983 and produced estimates of 1.5 and 2.5 (average 2.0) parr per habitat unit. Young-of-the-year salmon were reported as very abundant. With abnormal low flow of approximately 10 cfs, the river width averages 30 feet. The calculated potential nursery is 308 habitat units. At 2.0 parr per unit, the potential production is 616 salmon parr.

With the loss of the barrier dam at the outlet of Second Roach Pond and the subsequent cleaning of the bottom within the long access channel to the pond, some additional suitable spawning area has been created. The remnants of the old dam (bed logs and apron) should be removed to guarantee access to the site. When the dam and its fishway were operational, adult salmon were observed using this site in the fall. Unfortunately, no additional nursery has been created.

Third Roach Pond to Second Roach Pond. The Roach River from Third Roach Pond to Second Roach Pond drops about 40 feet in 1.7 miles. Historically, beaver dams have created barriers to upstream migration on this section of the river. When surveyed in 1984, four old and two new beaver dams were observed.

The river immediately above Second Roach Pond is rocky riffle with an occasional boulder. The river below the outlet of Third Roach Pond is similar except for the absence of any large boulders. Both areas have some suitable nursery habitat for salmon. The combined length of these two areas is about 0.8 miles (4,375 feet) with an average width of 35 feet. Only 3,000 feet of the combined areas is suitable nursery for salmon, providing 118 habitat units.

In the middle section of the river between Third Roach Pond and Second Roach Pond are two deadwaters (4.3 acres and 9.5 acres) joined by an area of wide (average 52 feet) slow moving water. The outlet from Trout Pond enters the lower end of the upper deadwater.

Suitable trout spawning habitat can be found within the mouth of the stream. At the upstream end of the same deadwater there is a limited amount of spawning gravel typical of what salmon are known to use elsewhere in the drainage. The deadwaters provide little measurable benefit to the young salmon that might be produced in the river. A previous owner of the sporting camp at the outlet of Second Roach Pond kept a boat or canoe hidden near the deadwaters for his guests to use during the early-season brook trout fishery. When surveyed in 1984, the river above Second Roach Pond showed little evidence of angler use. Adult salmon have been observed in the late fall upstream as far as the beaver dams at the lower end of the deadwaters.

Recent electrofishing (1983) at the site of the old bridge crossing above Second Roach Pond confirms the continued presence of young salmon within this section. Young-of-the-year and parr were taken but in relatively low numbers. A few young brook trout were also taken. Electrofishing records from 1959 and 1963 indicate that young salmon were more abundant within this section of the river than they are at present. An estimate of 3.3 parr per habitat unit in 1959 may reflect the potential for this section of river. At that rate, the Roach River between Third Roach Pond and Second Roach Pond might produce 389 salmon parr.

The combined calculated potential production of salmon parr from the two sections of the Roach River above First Roach Pond is approximately 1,000 fish. It is not known to what degree salmon dropping out of the river as young-of-the-year might contribute to the salmon populations in the waters within the Roach River drainage. A limited salmon fishery for wild salmon in Second Roach Pond may be sustained through the natural reproduction occurring in the two upper river sections.

No. 1 Brook to Holeb Stream. An 18.7 mile section with a drop of about 340 feet in elevation. Short stretches of rock and boulder riffle interspersed among longer stretches of gravel riffle and runs provide excellent coldwater fish habitat. Several small falls are present in the section, but they appear passable to upstream fish movement.

Holeb Stream to Attean Pond. This 20.7 mile section comprises the river portion of the "Bow Trip". Total drop in elevation is about 73 feet, most of which occurs at Holeb Falls. Much of the river flows between high clay banks. Shallow to deep runs over gravel bottom, with occasional deep pools, provide good coldwater habitat for adult fish, as well as areas suitable for spawning. There are only three short sections of rocky riffles over this entire distance. They are associated with Holeb Falls, Spencer Rips, and Attean Falls. Thus nursery habitat in this section is limited. Although Holeb Falls are impassable to fish movement upstream, a boulder field river channel bypasses the falls and provides access upstream at high river flows.

Attean Pond to Big Wood Pond. Between Attean and Big Wood Ponds 0.9 miles of moderately deep run with many large submerged boulders provides good cover for adult coldwater species, most of which are moving between the two ponds. There is little gradient between the two ponds, and very little salmonid spawning or nursery habitat.

Big Wood Pond to Long Pond. This 6.8 mile section is generally deep and slow-moving between high banks, with several large, deep pools. (There is also little gradient between Big Wood and Long Ponds.) It provides good salmonid adult habitat, and some spawning habitat in gravel areas found immediately downstream from Big Wood Pond. There is very little nursery habitat in this section.

Long Pond to Brassua Lake. There is an 84 foot drop in elevation between Long Pond and Brassua Lake. Most of the river is comprised of rock and boulder riffle, with a few sections of deep run, mostly at the upper end, and a few good pools. Some spawning gravel is found immediately downstream from Long Pond. This section provides very good salmon nursery habitat, and adult salmon and trout are present throughout.

Brassua Lake to Moosehead Lake. Pools, runs, and riffles comprise the first mile of river immediately downstream from the dam on the outlet of Brassua Lake. The lower two miles of river are more lacustrine in nature due to flowage up from Moosehead Lake. Total drop in elevation of this section is about 14 feet. The river provides spawning and nursery habitat for both salmon and brook trout, as well as adult habitat for salmon, brook trout, and, seasonally, lake trout.

Public lands along the Moose River, called the Holeb Unit, provide good habitat for waterfowl, as ponds, brooks, and wetlands are abundant and well distributed throughout. Twelve waterfowl (duck) boxes are maintained on the Unit by BPL, providing nesting sites where adequate natural conditions for this purpose do not exist. Extensive wetlands are found in the north central part of the Unit in Holeb Township, south of Loon Pond, along the western shore of Holeb Pond, along the Moose River and Holeb Stream, and on the southeast shore of Attean Pond. Wetlands serve a number of important ecological purposes, including absorption of nutrients, storage of ground water, stabilizing surface water, curbing erosion, and providing part of the life cycle requirements for many species of wildlife.

The Skowhegan to Augusta reach of the Kennebec is approximately 38 miles in length. Habitat in this portion of the Kennebec is dominated by a series of hydroelectric projects. Dams in Fairfield, Winslow, Waterville, and Augusta have created several reservoirs intermixed with short reaches of run and/or rapids. The total surface area of aquatic habitat in the reach is approximately 3,500 acres of which just 500 acres could be considered free-flowing. The reservoirs created by Edwards Dam and Shawmut Dam are the two largest impoundments with the former being about 1,200 acres and the latter about 1,400 acres.

Brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch, and chain pickerel are among the more important gamefish species found in this part of the Kennebec. The bass, perch, and pickerel populations are maintained by natural reproduction while the river's brown trout population is maintained by an annual stocking program.

The Dead River has a drainage area of 867 square miles. The upper portion of the drainage is composed of the North Branch, which originates at Saddleback Lake, near Rangeley. A dam near the mouth of the North Branch in Eustis presents a barrier to upstream fish migration. These two branches flow into Flagstaff Lake, a 22,833 acre reservoir. The river below Flagstaff is a combination of deadwater, falls, and whitewater which enters the Kennebec at The Forks. Both Long Falls Dam, which forms Flagstaff Lake, and Grand Falls, located seven miles downstream, are barriers to upstream fish passage.

Brook trout are distributed throughout most of the Dead River drainage, and the river fishery is provided by wild trout except that spring yearlings are stocked in portions of the South Branch and the North Branch. The mainstem of the Dead River and Spencer Stream also have native populations of salmon, but their slow growth in the river environment limits their potential as a sport fishery. Fishing in the north branch of the Dead River is limited by law to fly fishing only. The majority of brook trout angled from the Dead River average 8.5 to 10 inches in length. There are no bass in the drainage, but both yellow perch and chain pickerel are present in the mainstems of both branches.

The major tributary streams to the Dead River include Spencer, Kibby, and Enchanted Streams in the northern part of the drainage; Tim Brook and Alder Stream in the west part of the drainage; and Nash and Redington Streams in the southern part of the drainage. All of these streams support wild brook trout populations; some also have populations of slow-growing landlocked salmon.

Flagstaff Lake forms the northern boundary of the Bigelow Preserve and affects public use and enjoyment of the Preserve. Flagstaff is a large, shallow, man-made impoundment that was formed by the damming of the Dead River in 1950. The Long Falls Dam is owned by Central Maine Power Company (CMP) and operated by Kennebec Water Power Company (KWPC). It controls the water levels on the lake to the 1,150 foot contour. The lake is used as a storage reservoir for hydroelectric facilities further down the Kennebec River drainage. Water levels fluctuate considerably and are usually lowest in mid-to-late March.

Although large in size, Flagstaff Lake is shallow and is drawn down annually. Pickerel, yellow perch, and hornpout thrive in this environment, but landlocked salmon and brook trout do not. Rainbow smelt provide an important spring dip net fishery, and brook trout are abundant in some of the lake's tributaries.

The lake only receives light fishing pressure as the fluctuating water levels and the presence of other excellent coldwater fishing opportunities nearby discourage use of the lake. However, Flagstaff Lake does appear to be important, or have the potential to be important to wildlife, particularly waterfowl.

The shores of the lake in the Bigelow Preserve are designated by BPL as riparian zones. A riparian zone is comprised of a 330-foot corridor, the primary purpose of which is to provide wildlife habitat. Research has shown that the areas adjacent to water are particularly important to wildlife as travel corridors, as well as home range habitat. Timber harvesting is allowed in the riparian zone; in fact, harvesting is important to maintaining the quality of the habitat by providing for a healthy, diverse environment. Timber management will be conducted on an uneven aged basis to enhance and maintain the riparian zone. The fluctuating water levels, which are a function of hydrogeneration and flood control, limit the lake's desirability for wildlife habitat.

In contrast to Flagstaff Lake, the other 104 named lakes and ponds in the Dead River drainage are mostly well-suited to coldwater fish. Eighty percent of these waters are less than 100 acres in size; 69% are less than 50 acres. Of the larger lakes, Spencer Lake, Spring Lake, Jim Pond, Chain of Ponds, King and Bartlett Lake, and Tea Pond all have populations of lake trout, landlocked salmon and brook trout. Most are routinely or periodically stocked with these species. The remaining 95 ponds in the drainage are mostly brook trout waters, the majority of which have self-sustaining populations. Public access to more than a dozen lakes and ponds in the drainage is limited due to restrictions imposed by land owners or lessees.

Overall, the Dead River drainage has an abundance of coldwater fish habitat, much of it free from warmwater fish competition.

Carrabasset River

The Carrabassett River drains 401 square miles. From Mt. Abraham Township to Anson, where it enters the Kennebec River, it is 39 miles long and drops 2,800 feet (72 feet/mile). It has a falls impassable to upstream fish migration near its mouth at North Anson. There is also an impassable dam at Kingfield, and one at the outlet of Caribou Pond at the headwaters. The upper river, downstream to East New Portland, is mostly rapids; this portion of the river is restricted to fly fishing only. Below East New Portland the river is primarily glide/run until the falls at North Anson, about a mile before the confluence with the Kennebec. Because of its steepness and the lack of large headwater lakes, the Carrabassett's flow varies greatly with storm events and snow melt.

The major tributary streams to the mainstem are the West Branch, which enters at Kingfield, Gilman Stream, at East New Portland, and Mill Stream, at North Anson. The largest lakes in the drainage, Embden, Hancock, and Porter, have populations of lake trout, landlocked salmon, and brook trout. Higher in the drainage are 9 ponds which support brook trout and approximately 10 named ponds which contain warmwater fisheries.

The mainstem of the upper river, essentially a mountain stream, is relatively sterile and rocky. Brook trout are present but are slow-growing as a result of low productivity and cold water temperatures. Brook trout in the lower section of the river exhibit better growth rates. The wild population of brook trout in the section of the river below Kingfield is supplemented with annual stockings of spring yearlings. Rainbow trout were stocked in the section of the river below East New Portland and in Porter Lake in the 1970's, but are no longer present. Smallmouth bass are present in the mainstem below Kingfield and provide a good fishery. A wild population of brown trout occurs in Gilman Stream as far upstream as Highland Plantation. Warmwater fish present in the shallower ponds and in the slower-moving sections of the streams in the lower drainage include chain pickerel, bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, white sucker, white perch (in Porter Lake), and smallmouth bass (in the lower river and the Mill Brook drainage, including Embden Lake and Hancock Pond).

Factors limiting the coldwater sport fishery in the streams of the drainage include the extreme variations in flows, the sterility of the upper section, and lack of pools to serve as adult habitat. Within these limitations, however, the upper portion of the drainage provides both riverine and lacustrine brook trout fisheries free from warmwater fish competition, while the lower section contains habitat for both coldwater and warmwater fisheries.

The Sandy River has a drainage area of 596 square miles. It is a mountain stream, with no large bodies of water to store runoff. Consequently, it is subject to extreme changes in flow rates. Although only 60 miles long, the Sandy drops 1,544 feet in elevation, averaging 22.4 feet per mile. The river originates at the Sandy River Ponds, drops over Smalls Falls, a barrier to upstream fish migration, and continues primarily as rapids to Phillips where the two main tributaries, Orbeton Stream and the South Branch, join the mainstem. Below Strong, the lower 47 miles of the river are intermittent quick water and runs. As more tributaries enter, the river valley widens to form fertile bottom land. Extensive farming activity along this stretch is responsible for non-point nutrient loading. A power generating dam just above the confluence with the Kennebec at Norridgewock is a barrier to upstream fish migration.

The section of the river upstream of the Strong-Phillips area supports a wild brook trout fishery, while brown trout and smallmouth bass dominate the lower river. Many of the tributaries, even in the lower section of the river, support brook trout fisheries also.

Thirty-nine great ponds, totaling 3,695 acres, lie within the Sandy River drainage. The three largest lakes in the drainage support populations of lake trout, landlocked salmon, and brook trout. Of the smaller lakes and ponds in the drainage, those in the lower portion support warmwater fisheries, while those at the higher elevations support coldwater fisheries - primarily brook trout. The upper section of the drainage lies in rugged hills and mountains, and many small, isolated ponds provide suitable coldwater fish habitat. Competing warmwater species are kept out by natural barriers to migration.

The Sandy River's brown trout population is periodically supplemented by stockings of hatchery-reared fish from Phillips to New Sharon. Legal-sized wild brook trout angled in the river average 8.6 inches in length; brown trout of both wild and hatchery origin average 12.3 inches, and smallmouth bass average 12.2 inches in size.

The Sebasticook River, the largest of the tributaries to the lower Kennebec River, has a drainage area of approximately 946 square miles. For many years human cultural activity including municipal, industrial and agricultural waste discharges and the manipulation of flows for water power and waste disposal have severely compromised the sport fishery potential of this river. More recently, water quality on the river has begun to improve with the implementation of a variety of water quality treatment programs.

Impoundments created by the three dams on the mainstem of the Sebasticook include a 417 acre pond in Winslow, an 83 acre pond in Benton, and a 304 acre pond in Burnham. The ten mile reach from the dam in Burnham to the upstream confluence of the Benton Falls project constitute the longest section of free flowing habitat on the river's mainstem. Smaller sections of riverine habitat occur upstream of the Burnham Project and just below the Benton Falls and Fort Halifax projects in Benton and Winslow, respectively.

Despite its water quality problems, the Sebasticook does support sport fisheries for a variety of species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, white perch, and chain pickerel. Brook trout, brown trout, and landlocked salmon occur seasonally. Fishing effort is increasing on this river as water quality and public perception of the value of this resource improves.

IF&W intends to initiate a brown trout management program on the Sebasticook, predicated upon continued improvement in water quality, the assurance of sufficient, stable flows; the availability of sufficient hatchery fish to support a viable program, and the demonstrated ability of the river to support a brown trout population. IF&W plans to begin a series of experimental stockings of brown trout with a planting of 5,000 fall fingerlings in 1992. The program is expected to focus on the free flowing habitat below the Burnham Project. Evaluation of the program will be primarily through angler diaries.

Messalonskee Stream supports excellent populations of warmwater gamefish including largemouth and smallmouth bass, white and yellow perch, chain pickerel, and hornedpout. Water level manipulations related to the production of hydroelectric power have an important impact on the stream's fish populations and on angler effort. Fishing effort and fish production are also negatively impacted by poor water quality resulting from waste discharge from the city of Oakland's wastewater treatment plant and from a variety of nonpoint sources.

Other tributaries of the lower Kennebec for which IF&W has habitat inventory and biological data include Carrabassett Stream, Martin Stream, Bond Brook, and Seven Mile Stream. Data for the Seven Mile Stream inventory has been summarized in tabular form and habitat maps have been prepared. Survey data for the other three waters has not been summarized but is available in Regional files.

A total of 100 lakes and ponds having a combined surface area of 60,067 acres occur within the Fishery Region B portion of the Kennebec drainage. These waters support important sport fisheries for a variety of warmwater and coldwater species. Fishing effort on the waters of Fishery Region B rank second highest among IF&W's seven fishery regions.

Among the more important sport fisheries in the lakes and ponds of the lower Kennebec are the black bass fisheries of the Belgrade chain of lakes and the Cobbossecontee Stream subdrainage of the Kennebec, the landlocked salmon fishery of Long Pond, and the brown trout fisheries of China Lake, Salmon Lake, and Togus Pond. These fisheries play a significant role in the recreational and economic well being of the communities in which they are found. For example, based on 1988 data, annual fishing effort on Great Pond (at 8,400 acres Great Pond is the largest water in the Belgrade chain of Lakes) was over 30,000 angler-days and estimated economic impact of the lake's sport fisheries was about $750,000.

The Kennebec River, at its mouth, drains an area of 9,524 square miles (Table 5). This total encompasses the drainage area of the Androscoggin River and the smaller tributaries of Merrymeeting Bay. The drainage area of the Kennebec River at head-of-tide at the Augusta Dam is 5,493 square miles.

Both the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers flow into a large freshwater tidal bay called Merrymeeting Bay. This freshwater bay also receives freshwater inflow from several smaller drainages: the Eastern River (50 mi2), the Cathance River (70 mi2), and the Abagadasset River (20 mi2).

Although the entire tidal section of the Kennebec River from the Edwards Dam in Augusta to Bay Point, Georgetown, is commonly called an estuary, the tidal section from Merrymeeting Bay to Augusta does not fit most definitions of an estuary. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) defines the upstream limit of an estuary as "estuaries extend upstream and landward to the place where ocean-derived salts measure <0.5 ppt during the period of annual low flow." The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has been measuring salinities from the mouth of the Kennebec River at Bay Point to the Edwards Dam in Augusta annually since 1976. The normal limit where salinities do not exceed 0.5 ppt varies slightly from year to year. The upstream limit of the true estuary in most years is between Abagadasset Point in Merrymeeting Bay and the Route 197 bridge in Richmond, which is a distance of eight miles. The USFWS characterized the Kennebec River from the outlet of Merrymeeting Bay to the Augusta Dam as "tidal riverine." Although salinities normally exceed 0.5 ppt in Merrymeeting Bay, this line of demarcation (outlet of Merrymeeting Bay) is a convenient one to separate the tidal riverine subsystem from the estuarine subsystem. The riverine tidal wetland subsystem of Merrymeeting Bay is characterized by nonpersistent freshwater emergent plants.

The large amount of tidal freshwater riverine habitat found in the Kennebec/Sheepscot Rivers' estuaries makes this system unique in the State of Maine. There is a total of 11,140 acres of tidal riverine habitat in this system with most of it being above the outlet of Merrymeeting Bay (Table 6). This represents 84% of the total tidal riverine habitat found in the State of Maine north of Cape Elizabeth. This subsystem can be further divided into classes of types of habitat, such as open water, nonpersistent emergent wetland, flats, and beach/bar (Table 6). There are 5,682 acres of open water habitat in this subsystem which represent 80% of this type of habitat in Maine north of Cape Elizabeth. There are 3,133 acres of nonpersistent emergent wetland which represent 98% of that found above Cape Elizabeth. This tidal riverine section constitutes one of the most important spawning and nursery areas for anadromous fish north of the Hudson River.

The Kennebec River estuary below Chops Point (outlet of Merrymeeting Bay) forms a complex with that of the Sheepscot River estuary. Less saline surface water from the Kennebec River flows through the Sasanoa River into Hockomock Bay on an outgoing tide, whereas highly saline water from the Sheepscot River enters Hockomock Bay through Goose Rock passage on the incoming tide as bottom water in the Sasanoa. Water is also exchanged in Montsweag Bay between Hockomock Bay and the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset. Thus, both Hockomock and Montsweag Bays act as mixing basins for the Kennebec and Sheepscot Rivers' water, with there being an indirect exchange between the two systems. Hockomock Bay is also connected with the Kennebec River through Back River, which is very shallow near Hockomock Bay. The dynamics of water exchanged between the two systems and the exact influence one river system exerts upon the other has not been extensively studied.

The Kennebec River estuary can broadly be characterized as being a narrow, relatively shallow estuary with a low tidal volume and a large freshwater flow with a large tidal exchange. This results in relatively short flushing time for the estuary in comparison to the Sheepscot and Penobscot Rivers.

The shallow entrance to the Kennebec River (about 35') prevents the entrance of nutrient rich deep water from the Gulf of Maine. The Kennebec River estuary would not be expected to be a highly productive estuary based on the fact the shallow shelf prevents the entrance of nutrient rich deep ocean water and the moderate flushing rate reduces residence time of nutrients, although an unknown amount of nutrient rich Sheepscot River water could enter through the Sasanoa River. Nitrate samples taken at Bath were higher than predicted, even allowing for a higher Sheepscot River input than probably occurs. These high rates were attributed to the discharge of the local sewerage discharge plant and not from freshwater input. Based on nitrate values at Bingham, freshwater input was not considered significant source. The majority of nitrate inputs from municipal and industrial sources occurs below Bingham. The input of nitrates (and ammonia) from sewage treatment plants and agriculture runoff needs to be studied in more detail to determine its impact on productivity in the Kennebec River estuary. The dominant nutrient pathway in the Kennebec River is probably from the extensive marsh systems, especially those in the Merrymeeting Bay region. Thus, the food web is probably mainly based on organic detritus derived from the nonpersistent emergent vegetation from the fresh and salt marshes. The estuarial complex of the Kennebec and Sheepscot Rivers contains approximately 26% of estuarine habitat (33,419 acres) found north of Cape Elizabeth (Table 7). The emergent wetlands comprise 4,975 acres of this total and represents 36% of this class of habitat available north of Cape Elizabeth (Table 7). This estuarine complex is an important nursery area for the anadromous fish species produced in the riverine sections of both rivers, as well as for marine species.

The vertical salinity gradient in the Kennebec River estuary stratifies only slightly. Francis and coworkers sampled the estuary during low flow periods in the fall and found the estuary to be only slightly stratified. They noted that the two sharp bends below Bath (Doubling Bends) and the very narrow portion of the river between Doubling Bends and Bluff Head shore resulted in very intense mixing based on the amount of turbulence seen in this area. This turbulent section did not appear to impact the vertical salinity gradient at the time they sampled the river. The Department of Marine Resources has found similar results based on salinities measured in August at high slack tide, although the degree of mixing varied from year to year probably with the freshwater inflows and lunar cycle.

Water quality of the Kennebec River Basin has improved dramatically since 1978 when most of the major discharges were provided treatment. As a consequence of this significant cleanup effort, the Legislature revised the water quality classifications of the basin in 1989 to reflect the gains made in water quality improvement (see Appendix C). Much of the watershed has been raised to class AA, A and B in recognition of the excellent water quality found. This assures protection of a high quality aquatic habitat and multiple use of the resource.

The most recent evaluation of water quality finds that much of the water of the Kennebec River Basin achieves the standards of the designated classes. While most of the waters listed that do not attain their classification standards are small tributaries, a few notable exceptions exist. Foremost, are two segments in the basin which have health advisories for the consumption of fish due to dioxin contamination. These include a 56 mile segment of the Kennebec River from Skowhegan to Merrymeeting Bay and a 13 mile segment of the West Branch of the Sebasticook River from Hartland to Pittsfield. Other significant segments not attaining standards are portions of Messalonskee Stream which is eutrophic, has high levels of coliform bacteria and low dissolved oxygen, and segments of the Sebasticook River and its two main branches which are eutrophic, have high levels of bacteria, low dissolved oxygen and significantly impaired aquatic life communities. The lower Kennebec River has low dissolved oxygen and bacteria problems in segments below Waterville/Winslow and Augusta.

Cause of nonattainment problems in the Kennebec Basin can be attributed to a number of factors. Pollutants from nonpoint (diffuse) sources such as farms, forestry, and urban development are, collectively, the greatest source. These pollutants account for much of the eutrophication and dissolved oxygen problems particularly in the small tributaries and in impounded segments of rivers. Combined sewer overflows (combined storm and wastewater systems) cause some of the more severe bacteria contamination problems. The dioxin problem is associated with processes in the pulp and paper and tanning industries. Other toxic problems have been associated with the tanning and textile industries. Improved management of each of these sources will be required to resolve these problems.

FERC regulates the construction and operations of hydropower projects pursuant to the Federal Power Act, first enacted in 1920. FERC's jurisdiction extends to all projects on navigable waters and to projects on non-navigable waters constructed or modified after 1935.

A river is considered to be navigable if it is or has been used to transport persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce. The historic floating of logs to sawmills and paper mills is sufficient to establish navigability. A project on a non-navigable waterway must affect interstate or foreign commerce in order to come under federal jurisdiction. Participation in interstate commerce is assumed when project power is conveyed to the public utility power grid or when project power displaces electricity that would otherwise be purchased from the grid. FERC has found the Kennebec River to be navigable from its mouth at least up to Moosehead Lake.

The Federal Power Act allows for competition during relicensing. Two or more competing applications for a new license may be filed for the same project. FERC will issue a license for the project judged to be the "best adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or developing a waterway." Alternatively, FERC may recommend a federal takeover of a project. This must be authorized and funded by an act of Congress. New licenses are issued for terms varying from 30 to 50 years. The applicant makes a proposal to FERC of the license term and FERC makes the decision based on the following rules of thumb. New projects and total redevelopments are usually granted 50-year licenses and if moderate redevelopment or reinvestment is proposed, a 40-year license term is likely. In cases where no changes or no substantial investments are proposed to the facility, a 30-year license is likely to be issued.

All applications for relicensing must be filed with FERC no later than two years prior to the license expiration date. However, FERC is under no self-imposed time limitation in acting on these applications. If a new license has not been issued or a federal takeover has not occurred by the license expiration date, FERC will issue annual licenses to the applicant until relicensing action has occurred.

Many of the projects slated for relicensing were first licensed before the enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act and other federal environmental laws. However, the relicensing of these dams will require an assessment of the impacts using these current statutes.

FERC's regulations require that all potential applications for licensing or relicensing participate in a detailed pre-filing consultation process with the appropriate State and federal resource agencies. This three-stage process requires approximately five years for each project and involves a considerable amount of time and effort by all parties.

SPO is designated as the lead State agency in the FERC relicensing process and is charged with the duty of processing applications, monitoring application status, and coordinating and reviewing agency requests and comments. Policy and procedures were developed in 1989 to expedite the State's role in federal licensing and relicensing (See Appendix C, "Revised Procedure to Ensure that State Agency Comments in Federal Hydropower Proceedings are Timely, Coordinated and Consistent", September 1989). Emphasis is also focused on the substance of State agency review. The new policy requires all State agencies to consider their comments, study requests and recommendations to ensure that they are not unnecessarily burdensome to the applicants. The objective of the State is to achieve the best possible balance between power generation and the preservation and enhancement of natural resource and recreational values.

FERC consultation during the relicensing process will allow the State an opportunity to assess the impacts of many of the major hydropower projects in Maine and to re-evaluate the uses of the public river resources. Among the issues to be considered by the State agencies in their review for a new FERC license are: flood control, floodplain management (National Flood Insurance Program), energy generation and conservation, economics, geological and botanical resources, restoration of sea-run fish, inland fisheries and wildlife management, protection and improvement of water quality, historical and cultural resources, and improvement of recreational opportunities.

FERC licensing is also required for water storage dams and reservoirs that provide stream flow regulation to downstream licensed hydropower facilities.

In rules adopted May 24, 1989, FERC made provision for public participation from the beginning of the consultation process. Previously, public participation had been limited to the final application filed with FERC, when most studies were complete. When the licensing process is initiated, by the filing of an initial consultation document, the applicant is obligated by FERC rules to hold a public meeting during the first stage of consultation. (The State's provisions for public participation are discussed in the next section.)

In addition to the above, natural resources are specifically protected by the following Federal statutes and executive order:

A permit is required under the MWDCA for the construction, reconstruction or structural alteration of a hydropower project. The MWDCA is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) in their respective jurisdictions. Statutory review criteria include consideration of financial capacity and technical ability, public safety, public benefits, traffic movement, LURC zoning, environmental impacts and mitigation and energy benefits. In relicensing, a State hydropower permit will only be required if project redevelopment or expansion is proposed in conjunction with relicensing. Thus, the State's authority to condition the operation of most hydro projects upon relicensing is contingent upon Section 401 of the Clean Water Act which requires that any applicant for a federal license or permit for an activity which may result in a discharge to navigable waters must obtain state certification that the activity will not violate applicable water quality standards.

The Maine Comprehensive Rivers Management Plan, submitted to FERC in 1987, will ensure that during FERC relicensing proceedings the State of Maine will have a strong voice on issues regarding the development and management of its rivers. FERC officially recognized Maine's plan as a comprehensive plan in November 1988, although it was referenced as a comprehensive plan in the FERC order amending the license for the Brassua project issued July 28, 1987.

As amended by the 114th Legislature, 38 MRSA §640 now requires State agencies that review and comment on Federal licensing and relicensing procedures to allow for public participation:

• Publication. At the commencement of the consultation, review and comment process, the State agencies involved shall publish notification of this fact, informing the public of the issues anticipated to be involved in the licensing or relicensing process, the timetable for processing of the license and the opportunities the public has to comment on and participate in the process. The notice shall be designed to reach readership both statewide and in the vicinity of the hydropower project, including all persons that have contacted the agencies with an interest in this matter and all potentially interested persons.

• Written notification of status. During the entire consultation process and including the filing of the license application under the Federal Power Act, the State agencies shall inform in writing all members of the public that have indicated an interest in the particular licensing process of the status of that process, including all requirements that the agencies may be placing upon the license applicant. That information shall be provided no less than once every 4 months.

• Public comment. State agencies shall provide meaningful opportunities for public comment on the plans, studies, terms and conditions to be recommended by the agencies for inclusion in the license.

• Release of public information. All information submitted to the agencies by the applicants for a license under the Federal Power Act shall constitute a public record pursuant to 1 MRSA §402, unless such information is otherwise exempted from public disclosure by state law. Release of the information to members of the public shall be governed by 1 MRSA §408.

With regard to public participation, the SPO Hydropower Coordinator makes every possible effort to include all interested parties in the consultation process. Lists of individuals interested in particular projects undergoing relicensing are on file at SPO. At appropriate times, these individuals are notified through status reports of review and comment periods, filings with FERC and ongoing events associated with the consultation and licensing process. Public notices are published in three newspapers to solicit participation in public meetings and the consultation process and to inform the public when initial hydropower applications are received and when FERC filings are accepted.

The relicensing process may require applicants to conduct studies and design and implement mitigation programs. Although the breakdown of the cost of these activities varies considerably from project to project, it can be roughly estimated as shown in Table 8.

The following summaries reflect the results of the consultation process wherein the State assessed proposals for relicensing according to an analysis of the balance of resources and uses at each project.

Edwards - FERC #2389. The Augusta Hydroelectric Project, better known as the Edwards Dam, is owned and operated by the Edwards Manufacturing Company and is located on the Kennebec River between Augusta and Waterville, Maine. The project is presently rated with an installed capacity of 3.5 MW and the applicant is proposing to upgrade and expand the facility to 11.7 MW. The Edwards Dam is located in the city of Augusta and the impoundment formed by the dam extends upstream from the dam a distance of approximately 15 miles and comprises an area of approximately 1,143 acres. Existing facilities consist of a 917' long concrete-capped timber crib spillway, an 8' long gatehouse, 450' long power canal and three powerhouses. The water quality classification for most of the project impoundment is Class C. The reach of river from its confluence with Messalonskee Stream to the Sidney/Augusta town line is classified as Class B.

The expanded project will involve the construction of a new powerhouse located at the downstream end of the existing main power canal which will house one vertical Kaplan turbine and generator with a capacity of approximately 8 MW. Powerhouses 7 and 8 will be decommissioned, the new power canal widened, a new canal intake structure and new fish passage facilities constructed, repairs and improvements to the existing dam will be accomplished and present plans specify the addition of an inflatable crest control device along the entire length of the primary spillway.

Enhancements proposed by the applicant involve the construction and operation of new upstream and downstream fish passage facilities at the project. The upstream facilities as proposed consist of fish transportation channels, a central fish attraction pool, a duplex fish lift, sorting and holding tanks, and an exit channel to the power canal. The proposed downstream facilities consist of a gated concrete entrance chamber at the intake to each powerhouse and sluice pipes to tailwater. The proposed facilities are intended to provide passage for design populations of 1,548,000 alewives, 385,000 American shad, and 7,500 Atlantic salmon annually.

The State of Maine has taken the position that removal of the Edwards Dam is necessary to achieve the State's goals for restoration of the Kennebec's fisheries and recreational resources. The State resource agencies recommend that the no dam alternative be considered and that dam removal studies be conducted.

The State resource agencies find that the applicant has failed to address the State's goal of restoring striped bass, rainbow smelt, Atlantic sturgeon, and shortnose sturgeon to their historical range which includes the river segment from Augusta to Waterville. The applicant has failed to address upstream and downstream passage requirements for striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon, and rainbow smelt, in addition to American shad, Atlantic salmon, and alewives. It is likely that the Federally endangered shortnose sturgeon migrate to the Edwards Dam and potentially spawn in the immediate area. Field studies should be conducted to determine if shortnose sturgeon are spawning in the project area. American shad, smelt, striped bass, and the sturgeon should be used as study species to determine the impacts of the proposed redevelopment on the habitat between the dam and the Memorial Bridge. Field studies should be designed with input from the fishery agencies to determine if, when, and where striped bass, smelt and Atlantic sturgeon spawn in the project area and to determine what impact the diversion of flows will have on this life stage of these species. The applicant should determine if smelt utilize the project area prior to spawning. The applicant should clarify that proposed techniques for holding and sorting of trapped fish is effective in preventing upstream passage of undesirable species. Studies should also determine the effect of the proposal and the no dam alternative on the abundance of brown trout. Detailed soil erosion and sedimentation plans for project redevelopment are also recommended.

Assuming that Edwards Dam is not removed, the State also recommends studies on recreational use below the dam to address fishing opportunity for striped bass, American shad, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and smallmouth bass. The State contends that the projected increase in recreational use of the impoundment is underestimated and that additional recreational access should be planned. A portage trail around the dam is warranted and consistent with other hydroelectric projects on the Kennebec. Consultation meetings with the Bureau of Parks and Recreation (BPR) and towns on the impoun