An excavator works to remove stones from the former Edes Falls dam, located along the Crooked River. The Crooked River is a key tributary of Sebago Lake. Credit: Courtesy of the Lakes Environmental Association
Sebago Lake, surrounded by the towns of Casco, Naples, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham, is one of four lakes in Maine that had indigenous wild strains of Atlantic salmon. Now it has the largest and most robust population, and possibly the only nearly self-sustaining one of the four.
The Edes Falls dam was in the way of more progress in the state’s efforts to restore the Sebago watershed fishery. Here’s the timeline of the removal process;
September – October 2019
Initial presentations to the select board by MDIFW, Sebago TU
Oct. 29, 2019
Initial public meeting regarding proposed dam removal
April 2021
Second public meeting regarding proposed dam removal
May – July 2021
Series of presentations by MDIFW and Sebago TU to the select board
August – October 2021:
Meetings of the Edes Falls Working Group
September 2021
Cleanout of trees, brush, debris from the dam sluiceway
Oct. 25, 2021
Presentation of working group findings. Select board votes to bring to town referendum
April 11, 2022
Partial dam removal proposal approved via town referendum
April 30 – May 1, 2023
Storm causes Jugtown Road side of dam to collapse
June 26, 2023
Select board votes a declaration of public safety emergency, approving full dam removal
2022 – 2024
Series of updates by Sebago TU to the select board
Feb. 28, 2024
Maine DEP permit by rule Notification submitted
May 16, 2024
Town of Naples tree clearing permit issued
June 5, 2024
Town of Naples shoreland zoning permit issued; Army Corps of Engineers permit issued
June 7, 2024
Start of construction by Shaw Brothers, Inc.
Water flows freely along the Crooked River after a historic, 200-year-old dam was removed to make passage for spawning salmon.
June 19, 2024
Construction substantially complete, pending engineer’s review
Leela Stockley is an alumna of the University of Maine. She lives in northern Maine with her two pugs and a cat.
Send videos and photo submissions to lstockley@bangordailynews.com.
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