25 years ago the Edwards Dam was removed from the Kennebec River in Maine allowing alewives and sturgeon to return to their spawning grounds in force, revitalizing the ecosystem and delighting the paddlers and local communities with the sturgeons’ explosive breaching displays. In the summer of 2024, 2 separate source to sea trips ran the lengths of the Sandy and Kennebec in Maine. Contributing host Clark Tate was part of the Sandy trip and tells the on river story of both source to sea trips.
CONTRIBUTING HOST
Clark Tate
@lclarktate
RIVERS FOR CHANGE
@riversforchange
www.riversforchange.org
2024 Sandy to Kennebec Confluence
GUESTS
Stuart Hickey, raft guide
@freeheelinghickey
Jessica Sterling, kayak instructor and web designer
@jester1ing
Chris Morgan
@ccmorgan8
Jennifer Noll
Maine Department of Marine Resources
Saige Purser
@saigelinsay
River Radius Podcast - Native Teen Guide In Training Program
Joe Klementovich, Photographer
@klementovich klementovichphoto.com
River Radius Podcast - Source to Sea on the Saco River
Matt Palmariello
@mattpalmariello
www.mainepaddling.com
Amy Borch, Tattoo artist
@amy.wildhand
@melontrout.tattoo
Eli Studer, Tattoo artist
@elistudertatto
www.elistudertatto.com
SPONSORS
Denver Area Nissan Dealers
@nissanusa
Over It Raft Covers
@overitraftcovers
promo code, free shipping: riverradius
SANDY RIVER INFORMATION
Sandy River Northern Forest Canoe Trail Map
Environmental Geology Along the Sandy River, Farmington Maine, Field Trip from University of Maine at Farmington. Dr. Tom Eastler, Mr. Andy Buckland, Mr. Joel Sproul
Indigenous Land and Water Acknowledgement by the University of Maine at Farmington
The Rangeley Area: A Geologic Tour by Emma Stattelman and Katarina Dickson
SEA-RUN FISH INFORMATION
Finding the Next Sebasticook - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Map of Atlantic SalmonHabitat - Maine Department of Marine Resources
Kennebec River Management Plan Diadromous Resources Amendment - Maine Department of Marine Resources
Historical Fish Trap Counts - Maine Department of Marine Resources
KENNEBEC DAM RELICENSING INFORMATION
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The written comments are posted on the FERC elibrary website under docket P-2322.
World weighs in on fate of 4 Maine dams blocking passage of endangered salmon - Bangor Daily News by Lori Valigra
Conservation groups cheer decision preserving state authority in Kennebec River dam relicensing - Maine Public by Robbie Feinberg
DEP says Sandy River dredging violated Maine laws - Maine Public by Murray Carpenter
4 dams, the future of Kennebec fish runs and salmon’s survival at stake in federal licensing battle - Press Herald, Colin Woodard
State agencies are reporting more salmon returning to the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers this Year (2023) - Maine Public by Robbie Feinberg
We Can Turn a River in Maine into a Paradise for Salmon - The New York Times by John Waldman