Completion of Howland Dam Bypass Celebrated

June 14, 2016 - Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher joined a diverse group of participants and supporters today in Howland to celebrate completion of the Howland Dam bypass on the Penobscot River.

Completion of this large stream-like channel will allow American shad, river herring, and Atlantic salmon to swim freely around the dam to and from important historic breeding, rearing, and nursery habitat for the first time in more than a century. The Howland fish bypass is the culmination of the Penobscot River Restoration Project, begun in 2004 with goal of restoring severely depleted native sea-run fisheries of the Penobscot River system while maintaining hydropower generation in the watershed.

The Howland bypass will significantly improving access to nearly 1,000 miles of Maine’s largest river for eleven species of native sea-run fish.

"Construction of the Howland bypass is another milestone in efforts to restore Maine’s native sea-run fisheries in the Penobscot River,” said Commissioner Keliher. “Passage of anadromous fish species is critical to the health of our state’s marine and freshwater ecosystems. This project will not only provide access to hundreds of miles of critical habitat to Maine’s native sea-run fish, it will ensure continued opportunity for renewable power generation on the Penobscot River."