Barbara Brennessel
Friday May 7 @ 6pm
Author Barbara Brennessel will describe the biology, natural history and ecology of river herring. The presentation will also emphasize the historical importance of these fish, as well as threats to their survival, as they journey from the ocean to freshwater spawning areas, and back again. The presentation will also outline some efforts to restore river herring populations: dam removal projects, culvert replacements, by-catch reduction regulations, and habitat restorations.
Community Read – Online Discussion
May 24 @ 6pm via Zoom
School Librarian Melora Norman and Library Director Brian Stanley will host a discussion around this book and the various presentations we have recorded.
Topics will be shared in early May
Alewife Links
Maine Rivers https://mainerivers.org/
With removal of the Edwards Dam in Augusta in 1999 and the removal of the Fort Halifax Dam in Winslow in 2008, sea-run fish passage has been restored from the ocean directly to the Sebasticook River and to the outlet of the China Lake Outlet Stream in Kennebec County. The successes that have followed the removal of the Edwards and Fort Halifax Dams are astounding—millions of alewives now move into these rivers. However, the work is not done.
The Town Line Community Newspaper https://townline.org/?s=alewife
Maine Calling NPR https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2020-12-08/fish-passage-populations-of-sea-run-fish-gain-access-to-maine-waters-through-conservation-work
The removal of the Edwards Dam from the Kennebec River — and the Great Works and Veazie Dams from the Penobscot — made national news and ushered in a new era for Maine’s sea run fish. But the work is far from over. We’ll discuss projects to remove dams, create fish passages and reconstruct culverts all over the state, and what these projects mean for the health of our rivers and streams. This program ties in with the publication of a new book this month about the Penobscot River restoration project.
National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/dam-removal-restores-alewife-run
If you unbuild it, they will come- the fish, that is.
Maine pioneered dam removal to restore salmon runs. Now millions of fish, among them alewives, are swimming upriver again to inland spawning grounds.
National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/lessons-from-the-field-edwards-dam-removal-maine
River rebirth: removing the Edwards Dam on Maine’s Kennebec River.
Rebirth, renewal, resurrection. Everyone loves second chances. Rivers in particular have an uncanny ability to bounce back from a wide variety of insults and injuries. The removal of the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in Maine provides an excellent example.
Vassalboro Community Read 