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2.0 THE CAPPING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT 



2.1 Dredging of the Royal River 



The Royal River is one of the many tributaries along the rocky, irregular coast of 

 Maine providing drainage of rain and melt waters from the foothills of the Appalachian 

 Mountains. Chandler and Toddy Brooks as well as a number of smaller creeks and 

 streams empty into the upper reaches of the Royal River, allowing the transport of 

 freshwater run-off and an abundance of eroded soils downstream (Figure 2-1). The Royal 

 River encounters the influence of tides from the Gulf of Maine and Casco Bay just below 

 the lower falls at Yarmouth, ME. Once over the falls, the sediment-laden freshwater is 

 mixed with seawater intruding from Casco Bay, establishing the upper reaches of the Royal 

 River estuary. 



The Royal River converges with the smaller Cousins River at Browns Point, 

 Yarmouth, ME (Figure 2-1). Tidal effects, in conjunction with the combined sediment 

 loads from the two river systems, cause natural deposition of silts and clays within tidal 

 flats along the banks of rivers and the development of a complex constructive delta within 

 the western portions of Casco Bay (Figure 2-2; MSPO 1983). The natural processes 

 within the river associated with periods of increased freshwater run-off (spring melt) and 

 higher current velocities during ebbing tides maintain narrow channels through the riverbed 

 and delta. However, these naturally maintained tidal channels tend to be irregular in shape 

 and depth, as well as to follow the meanders of the respective river basins. To preserve 

 the uniform navigational channels required by most vessels, dredging of excess sediment is 

 required. 



Currently, the Royal River is used for recreational activities, providing protection 

 and rapid access to open water for a moderate number of smaller vessels (40 feet in 

 length). However, since the establishment of the first settlement in 1635, the waters of 

 Royal River have served as the source of prosperity for the people of Yarmouth, ME 

 (Attanas and Hinkley 1997). The river provided the colonists with drinking water, food, 

 power generation, and transportation. Occasionally displaced by floods or wars with the 

 native Americans and French, the people of Yarmouth, ME, would always return and 

 rebuild on the river banks. 



During the industrial revolution, as many as 60 saw, grist, textile, and paper mills 

 were established along the course of Royal River. Timber, produced by extensive logging 

 activities in North Yarmouth, was transported on the waters of the river to the awaiting 

 saw mills. The excess wood and waste products of the paper mills were sent down stream, 

 flowing out into Casco Bay. 



The Portland Disposal Site Capping Demonstration Project, 1995-1997 



