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I live and work on the West Branch of the Penobscot River and on July 27 at 4:30 p.m. I looked out at the river and noticed the flow had drastically decreased. The Safe Waters website reported a flow of 450 cubic feet per second; earlier in the day, it was over 2,000 cfs.
From previous incidents, I know this happens when McKay Station loses power, resulting in the turbines to shut down. I walked the shoreline for about 20 minutes and I saw two baby salmon on the rocks, with the river 15 feet away and numerous crayfish and other bugs crawling around on the rocks.
I received a report that a powerline came down, and upon further investigation this resulted in needing to call the Maine Forest Service rangers to report a fire at the base of a pole. My husband and a friend were down river at Little A Rapid and found 39 baby fish that were deceased due to being stranded because of the low flow.
This event warrants immediate action and investigation. I live and work on this river for nearly six months of the year, and this type of event seems to happen regularly. It results in significant stress on aquatic habitats throughout the West Branch; resulting in reduced available habitat, increased water temperature, decreased dissolved oxygen levels, and creates detrimental conditions to fish and other aquatic species.
River flows need to be maintained at levels sufficient to protect fish populations and aquatic habitat. Action is needed now.
Sarah Sindo
Kingfield