East Branch Sebasticook River Restoration
Maine Department of Marine Resources
Augusta, ME
As an important part of the strategic plan to restore migratory fish stocks
to the Kennebec River basin, the Maine Department of Marine Resources and
the town of Newport, Maine determined that removal
of a low head dam on
the East Branch Sebasticook River in Newport would be the most cost-effective way to promote upstream anadromous fish
passage. Elimination of the impoundment,
however, generated the need to enhance and stabilize exposed fluvial aquatic
and riparian habitat. Kleinschmidt provided stream restoration design services
to restore habitat in the river reach impounded by the dam, restore natural
sinuosity and slope to a section that was also channelized during a flow
management project in the early 1980’s.
The Kleinschmidt bioengineering design:
- restored the natural morphology of the river, including critical instream habitat features like meanders, riffles and pools.
- provided suitable hydraulics and zone of passage to promote upstream fish passage for diadromous species including alewife, Atlantic salmon, and American eel.
- restored instream habitat for resident fish.
- restored riparian woodlands and floodplains with native vegetation.
- protects a prehistoric archaeological site eligible for listing on the National Register and erosion protection for structures like bridges and riverside houses.
- restored native riparian vegetation and removed invasive species.
A key aspect of Kleinschmidt's design is a detailed plan for the planting and restoration of floodplain, riparian wetlands and native riparian upland flora. The design also improves the ability of the river to handle flood flows, mainly through erosion control protection and the restoration of floodplains and riparian wetlands that provide overbank storage and flow attenuation.
Kleinschmidt's scope of work includes:
- Meetings with agencies, stakeholders and contractors
- Background research
- Scientific Assessment:
- geomorphic
- wetland/botanical
- fisheries habitat
- fish passage ichthyomechanics
- Engineering:
- hydrologic & hydraulic modeling
- restoration design
- drafting and engineering documentation
- construction bidding and construction monitoring, field surveying, channel geometry, slope, & hydraulics