Friends of the Presumpscot River

Mike Shaughnessy, President of the Friends of the Presumpscot River (FOPR), was our guest and speaker on October 25.  Founded in 1992, FOPR is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, supported primarily by membership dues and small donations. Their mission is to protect and improve the water quality, indigenous fisheries, recreational opportunities and natural character of the Presumpscot River.

 

The Presumpscot River is 25 miles long and drops in elevation by over 270 feet as it runs from Sebago Lake to Casco Bay.  The name Presumpscot originates from an Abenaki word meaning “many falls” or “many rough places”. The river was once teeming with fish including river-spawning salmon, shad and alewife, as well as land-locked salmon, brook trout and the now extinct Presumpscot Jumper. With industrialization, it became a river of dams used to generate power.  At one time, there were 10 dams. With the removal of the Smelt Hill dam in 2002, there are now 9.  All except one are owned by SAPPI.

 

One of FOPR’s areas of focus is to restore the vitality of the river by re-introducing the historic migratory sea-run fish river above Saccarappa Falls.  This has involved working with dam owners to either remove the dam or install fish ladders.  Alewife and shad are now migrating.   Once small fish are re-established, larger fish should follow.

 

Fishing and bird watching are two of the most popular forms or recreation in the United States. The work being done by FOPR will enhance these activities in our area, making for an attractive community with easy access to river-based recreation.

 

Mike Shaughnessy, President of FOPR (L) with Phil Spiller (R)