Meeting About Possible Dam Removal on the Mousam River

[Eric Roach]

I am posting this for a wonderful non-profit southern Maine conservation group: The Mousam and Kennebunk Rivers Alliance.

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The Kennebunk Light and Power District will be hosting a public information meeting on the future of its dams on the Mousam River in Kennebunk on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 pm in the 3rd Floor Conference Rooms of Kennebunk Town Hall.

The mission of the Mousam and Kennebunk River Alliance (MKRA) is to improve the ecological health of the Mousam and Kennebunk River watersheds, from the head-waters to the ocean. For more information, please contact Bill Grabin at grabin@roadrunner.com or Landis Hudson at landis@mainerivers.org

KLPD‘s three Mousam River dams provide just 1-2% of our local power supply. If KLPD chooses to keep and re-license the dams, KLPD’s customers will be forced to cover millions of dollars in costs to update the dams to meet modern environmental and safety standards, and pay steep annual costs to keep them in compliance. These costs will far exceed the value of the power the dams will generate over their lifetime. Keeping the dams makes little sense economically when the power can be replaced by cheaper and more environmentally-friendly means, including solar power and energy conservation. The citizens of Kennebunk have a once in a life-time opportunity to restore the Mousam River and to invest in truly green, low impact and sustainable energy sources.

The Mousam has suffered from centuries of abuse, pollution and neglect. The Mousam has the dubious distinction of being the last major watershed in Maine completely lacking in fish passage. Native sea-run fish species that are vital to the economic and ecological health of the Gulf of Maine – like American shad, alewives, and blueback herring – return to the Mousam every year on their spawning migrations, but hit an impassable wall at the Kesslen Dam at Rte. 1. Dam removal would turn the tide on centuries of degradation of the Mousam River. By removing these antiquated dams, we can restore 9 miles of river to a natural, free-flowing condition, improve several miles of tributary streams, and rebuild an entire community of native fish and wildlife. When the potential benefits of restoring the health of the Mousam River are taken into account, we believe that dam removal is the best option from all standpoints – economic, environmental, and recreational.

A healthy, vibrant Mousam will be a tremendous asset for our community that enhances our local quality of place and provides new opportunities for recreation, guiding and paddling. Imagine a clean and vital river alive with annual pulses of sea-run fish numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Envision American shad, alewives, and blueback herring making their annual trek from the ocean to spawn in the river, followed by throngs of eagles, osprey, kingfisher, striped bass and numerous other species. Imagine a wild, free-flowing river running from Old Falls to the ocean, with miles of pools, riffles, rapids and falls.

A rejuvenated Mousam will also support local outfitters and guides, adding vitality and diversity to local businesses. It will help in rebuilding the Gulf of Maine fishery, as well as providing much needed bait for local lobstermen. A clean and free-flowing river will become a prized community asset and a gift for future generations.