Why The Sheepscot River Matters
The 58-mile long Sheepscot River rises in the hills of West Montville, widens into Sheepscot Pond in Palermo, then falls swiftly over rocks and gravel through the rural Whitefield countryside to the picturesque village of Coopers Mills. Further downstream it passes through Head Tide to join with the incoming tide, flowing by Alna and meandering through Sheepscot Village, with its reversing falls, and on into Newcastle and Wiscasset. On its way to the sea, the river broadens as it passes Westport, Southport, Hendricks Head Light, and Boothbay.
The 320-square mile Sheepscot watershed contains more than 30 lakes and ponds and about 55 miles of streams; the West Branch of the Sheepscot, which enters in Whitefield, is approximately 15 miles long and holds Branch Pond in its headwaters.
The Sheepscot River, which lies in the heart of the midcoast has been, and continues to be, a vital artery for working waterfronts, critical habitat for sea-run fish species, and a source of recreation and reflection for the communities it has defined.
However, like most things, the Sheepscot River and watershed need care and nurturing to maintain the rich water quality and habitat for the endangered Atlantic salmon, a keystone species in the watershed whose presence acts as an indicator for the overall ecological integrity of the watershed from water quality to habitat richness for all fish and wildlife. To that end, Midcoast Conservancy works every day to protect the river and the watershed from the impacts that may negatively affect the river and watershed.
For over 25 years, Midcoast Conservancy citizen scientists have been monitoring the water quality all along the river to identify any issues that may be impacting the river. These data help us better understand the condition of the river and help us develop strategies to address any issues that may arise for the benefit of public health and the overall health of the river.
We have worked tirelessly with many partners over the years to open up barriers to fish passage, like the modifications of Head Tide dam in Alna and Cooper’s Mills dam; soon a project at Branch Pond that will increase passage for Atlantic salmon and other species and allow them to return to spawning grounds that have been cut off to them for decades.
Our land protection strategies allow us to work with landowners along the river to protect key habitat and provide the needed shade and work with the Department of Marine Resources works to restore in-stream habitat that keeps the river cool for fish species to thrive.
Earlier this fall, Midcoast Conservancy convened the first meeting of the Sheepscot River Collaborative, which is a multi-stakeholder group working to protect and restore Atlantic salmon and other key species through the creation and protection of high quality instream and land-based habitat. This group of State and Federal agencies, non-profits, and Sheepscot watershed residents will be working together to ensure the Sheepscot River remains the vital and wild river that it has been for millenia and continues to be a resource for all to enjoy.
By Pete Nichols, Executive Director
