110 



River, is tidal as far as Russell's Mills. No fishways are 

 present at these three dams. 



Twenty-five years ago there was a fair public fishery here, 

 and alewives were taken from a platform by the townspeople 

 of Dartmouth with scoop nets, but the annual yield in recent 

 years has not been over 5 barrels. Until the construction 

 of the Russell's Mills Dam in 1912 a few alewives came up 

 the river as far as Smith's Mills. By erecting proper fish- 

 ways over the dams at Russell's Mills and Smith's Mills, thus 

 allowing the fish to pass up to Smith's Pond for spawning, 

 it would be possible to benefit general fishing conditions, and 

 to establish a fair alewife fishery. As a first step plans have 

 been submitted and negotiations are now under way for the 

 installation of a fishway at Russell's Mills. 



Westport River. 

 The east branch of the Westport River is formed by the 

 union of Shingle Island and Copecut rivers. At Westport 

 Factory is located Lake Woquochoke, an artificial pond on 

 which is situated a cotton and twine mill. One mile below, 

 the river is joined by its main tributary, the Bread and Cheese 

 Brook. Brightman's Mill Pond is located at the head of 

 Westport, below which the river is tidal. In 1910 the town 

 of Westport installed there an ineffective wooden fishway of 

 faulty slope, carrying only a small body of water, and with 

 an unsatisfactory entrance. The alewife fishery in Westport 

 River could be developed if good fishways were placed at 

 Brightman's Pond and Lake Woquochoke, and proper regula- 

 tions were enforced by the town. 



Cole's River. 



Cole's River, Swansea, is obstructed by three dams without 

 fishways, which practically form insurmountable barriers. 

 The privilege of seining alewives has always been sold by the 

 town of Swansea at public auction. Formerly there was a fair 

 catch, but the fishery has so declined that in recent years the 

 catcher has not been able to get enough to sell. 



It is doubtful whether the fishery can be restored to its 



