PAliT I 

 THE PAST HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITIONS OF SHAD RIVERS IN MAINE 



Mousam Rive r 



The Mousam River, arising at Mousam Pond about 2U miles from the sea, 

 enters the ocean a few miles south of the village of Kennebunk, Maine. 

 Atkins (1868, p. 26) states that the river once had salmon^ shad, and ale- 

 wives » Runs of all three species disappeared early. According to Atkins 

 (18683 p. 26) the first dam on the Mousam was built in Kennebunk in 1675. 

 It was rebuilt in 1720 further down the river and again in 177U near its 

 original site. A dam has been constantly maintained at Kennebunk since 

 1720 and in I867 Atkins reported there were I8 mill dams and one reservoir 

 dam between Mousam Pond and the sea. 



The Mousam River was inspected on September 21, 1950. 'Two impassable 

 dams were found just above and below the highway bridge in the village of 

 Kennebunk. The river appeared to be affected by pollution at this point, a 

 heavy green algal scum almost covering the river above the upper dam in 

 Kennebunk. Between Kennebunk and the sea, the river, although unobstructed, 

 is sufficiently polluted to cause the tidal area near its mouth to be closed 

 to the digging of clams (Maine Sea and Shore Fishery Laws, p. l53, 19U9) . 



Saco Rive r 



The Saco River arises in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire 

 and enters the sea about three miles below Biddeford, Maine. A natural 

 falls at Biddefort prevented the passage of all fish but salmon. Atkins 

 (1868, p. 32) states that there had always been shad in the lower part of 

 the river_; "In l850 two men took an average of 25-30 shad per night in a 

 short time. This was enough to supply their market. Frqm 1850 to i860 

 there was not much fall off in catch. The last five years, shad have been 

 very difficult to get". Atkins attributed the decline in the fishery to the 

 presence of cotton and woolen mills and the pouring of dyes into the river. 



Interviews with lobster fishermen operating from the Saco side of the 

 river gave no indication of shad in the river in recent years. These fisher- 

 men were of the opinion that wastes from the textile mills would make the 

 river unfit for shad. 



Nonesuch River 



One finds no mention of the Nonesuch River in the various accounts of 

 shad streams in Maine, so that it may be presujiied this river never supported 

 a fishery of any importance. The Nonesuch River is of particular interest. 



