Dam!!

Lots of river and Dam related stuff today

Author

Joe Klementovich
December 12, 2024

Lots of Dam News

There are approximately 1500 dams in New England. Only about 150 of those produce power. Last month the Town of Exeter voted to remove Pickpocket Dam on the Exeter River. On the other side of the coin a few months ago the town of Dover-Foxcroft voted to rehabilitate their old dam instead of removing it. More dams are scheduled for re-licensing in the coming months and years, so keep your ears open for opportunities to get your voice heard on these votes.

Dusting One Off - Into the Archive

September 7, 2022 Lyman Falls, Connecticut River Conservancy crews removing debris and rebar left from a dam failure on the Connecticut River.

For the past few years, I’ve been doing some sort of paddling adventure here in the Northeast, usually in connection to a story for NHPBS. Last spring was no different, 5 of us drove up to Sandy Pond in Maine and paddled from there to the Kennebec River. Well, we drove a few miles and walked a few around some gnarly rapids. Jump over here (Sandy River)to see a selection of photos from the trip. If you want to check out the previous years paddle head over to NHPBS and watch our multi-day trip through the headwaters of the Penobscot River A River Reborn

An Org Worth Checking Out - Atlantic Salmon Federation

Both these paddleboard trips were started with Atlantic Salmon in mind. The Pleasant River has started to see Salmon coming back into its waters. The Sandy River is one of the best Atlantic Salmon spawning habitats in the Northeast, but still Salmon are hampered from access due to dams. The Atlantic Salmon Federation is working to advocate for better fish passage on dams and dam removal with offices in Maine and thorughout eastern Canada.

Adventure of the week

Sometimes it’s refreshing to get out and film or photograph with no client or assignment to control the creative direction. Last Saturday was one of those mornings, a couple hours at the cliff, hanging off a rope then back to the desk to edit a short video and some still images. I posted the reel over on Instagram if you want to check it out.

Damn steep, Kelsey Rex dry-tooling in the Pigpen, North Conway, NH.

❝

The best fisherman I know try not to make the same mistakes over and over again; instead they strive to make new and interesting mistakes and to remember what they learned from them.

John Gierach

People

Captain Bob Douglas founder of “Black Dog” the famous brand from Martha’s Vineyard, MA

If you’ve read this far nice work. Send me a note. I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas for more projects, other orgs out there, and adventures you’re doing or planning.