Skip to main content

Penobscot's Veazie Dam Comes Down

Penobscot restoration project to increase 1,000 miles of habitat for 11 species of sea-run fish.

Penobscot's Veazie Dam Comes Down
Removal of Veazie Dam on Maine's Penobscot River begins July 22, 2013. Photo courtesy of Bridget Besaw/Penobscot River Restoration Trust

Today's removal of the Veazie Dam on Maine's Penobscot River brings the potential for Atlantic salmon that much closer to reality.

The removal of the dam is the second dam removal in what is the largest river restoration project in the nation's history. When completed, more than 1,000 miles of habitat will be opened up to Atlantic salmon and 11 species of native sea-run fish.

"Today's historic removal of the Veazie Dam makes the recovery for Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot that much more imminent," said Chris Wood, Trout Unlimited president and CEO. "We know from experience with the Edwards dam removal on the Kennebec River that fish populations will recover rapidly; the Kennebec now supports a thriving recreational fishery for shad and millions of river herring, less than 15 years after dam removal," Wood said. "This project demonstrates that conservation can directly benefit people and communities."

The removal of the Veazie Dam will reconnect the Penobscot River from Old Town, Maine to the sea for the first time in nearly two centuries.

After more than a decade of collaboration among the hydropower company that owned the river's dams, state and federal officials, conservation groups and the Penobscot Indian Nation, the Veazie dam is the second dam to be removed in the project. Last year, the Great Works dam was removed. A bypass will be built around a third dam, which will mark the project's completion.

"This unprecedented collaboration has resulted in incredible progress for the Penobscot and for fish and wildlife that live here, " said Elizabeth Maclin, TU's vice president of Eastern conservation. "This project gives Atlantic salmon the best chance for recovery," Maclin said.

Trout Unlimited is a member of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, the non-profit organization implementing the Penobscot restoration project. Other members include the Penobscot Indian Nation, American Rivers, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Audubon, Natural Resources Council of Maine and The Nature Conservancy.

"We are well on our way towards giving Atlantic salmon a chance for recovery," said Bill Oleszczuk, chair of Maine's TU council. "It is a great day for Maine and a great day for the Penobscot," Oleszczuk said.

The Penobscot River drains roughly 9,000 square miles in Maine, or about one-third of the state. Maine is home to the last remaining wild Atlantic salmon in the nation, and the Penobscot holds the state's largest population of Atlantic salmon, with annual salmon runs estimated at 50,000-70,000 prior to 1830.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
How-To/Techniques

Joe Humphreys ''Mr. Penn State'' Reveals what he's Learned in 90 years of Fly Fishing

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Destinations/Species

Fish Camp's Entomology Course: Insect Life Cycle

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski's Fly Casting Video Series, Video 4: The Backcast

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Gear

Fly Tier's Bench: Shanafelt's 3 Mile PMD

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
How-To/Techniques

Fish Camp's Indicator Nymphing: Mending

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Destinations/Species

Fish Camp's Trout Foundations: Where Trout Live

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Fly Tying

Jake Villwock on the “Godfathers” of bass, favorite flies, and why bass turn black

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Gear

Fly Tying with Natural Shade Tapered Brushes

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Destinations/Species

A Classic Pennsylvania Sulphur Hatch

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
How-To/Techniques

André Brun Demonstrates the Backhand Snake Roll Fly Cast

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
Fly Tying

Tim Cammisa

Kyle Bakko is a new Umpqua Feather Merchants signature tier, and his patterns stand out for their practicality and creat...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: Bakko's Phat Azz Hopper

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Fly Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use