Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder Restoration

Welcome to historic Damariscotta Mills, Maine – home to one of Maine’s oldest and most productive alewife fisheries. The stone fish ladder that is the centerpiece of Damariscotta Mills was constructed in 1807 by the Towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle because, for nearly a century, mills blocked access for fish to the freshwater falls. In 2007, after two centuries of use, the fish ladder was in poor condition so a restoration project was initiated by a strong community group working with the Towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle and the Nobleboro Historical Society.

Restoration of the fish ladder has had a signficant positive impact on the health of the Damariscotta River alewife stocks. Alewives are an important part of the food chain and they contribute to the health of the marine environment and to the lakes and streams where the fish spawn. In the spring, a few harvested alewives are smoked as “people food” but most serve as a source of fresh bait for local lobstermen. The Towns of Newcastle and Nobleboro have harvested alewives since the 1700s and, by balancing conservation and economic goals, they have carefully tended the Damariscotta River alewife stocks. Today, all funds received for harvested alewives are spent to maintain and restore the fish ladder and harvesting area.

Upper pool from the alewives’ point of view. May, 2020

Fish Happenings

The fish are running, really running!

When you stand on the road bridge looking down at the fish house and adjacent stream and notice a black ribbon of alewives streaming below you, you know the run is going well. The fish are streaming up past the fish house and choosing between the fish ladder entrance on the right and the harvesting […]

Happy Mother’s Day!

The alewives are running well, just in time for a Mother’s Day visit. And, the sun is shining, the Osprey are diving for fish, eagles are everywhere….and the ever present gulls are dining on alewives in the gauntlet before they are safely under the netting and en route to the top of the fish ladder. […]

Harvesting

Harvesting of alewives will begin Monday, May 10 at the usual hours—starting at 5am and again at 4pm. The harvesters will stay each time until all orders are filled or until the fish run out. The harvest takes place Monday through Friday. For further information, call Mark at 380-7996.

The alewives are running well!

After a week ‘s break, another school of alewives entered the fish ladder yesterday. Alewives have been flipping in Great Salt Bay in the evenings for a week so it seems likely that the run has begun in earnest. The sky is busy with birds— Osprey diving to catch fish and eagles among them. It’s […]

The alewives are running well!

Help Us “Bridge the Gap!”

The viewing spot over the Fish Ladder never gets old, but the bridge has seen better days. Engineering studies are underway and we are asking you to partner with us to raise the funds needed to build a replacement. Click here for details.