A small dam on the Little River has been removed, opening up 43 miles of habitat for spawning fish, reports WCSH6. The dam had been in place for nearly one hundred years and despite its size, it had been a major block for Atlantic salmon and other fish species looking to travel up the river.
"It helps improve the health of the entire ecosystem," said US Fish and Wildlife biologist, Sandra Lary. "By taking out dams or putting in fish ladders, it really improves the health of the watersheds and the health of the communities that are connected to the Gulf of Maine through those rivers."
The dam was built to hold water that was pumped to a near-by mill but the dam had not been used in decades. The $80,000 to remove the dam was funded by federal and private sources. Environmental groups are already looking at other dams in the area to remove to open up even more habitat for fish.
Maine River Re-Opened for Spawning Salmon
MAINE, US - A disused dam has been removed, opening up the Little River to spawning Atlantic salmon.
