Have you seen it like this photo taken from below Telos Bridge? That’s usually Class V Whitewater most of the summer.

The Ripogenus and Penobscot Mills Projects are currently in relicensing. Hydro projects are only relicensed every 30 to 50 years and this is the best time to change the way the projects are operated and improve what they provide in the way of both recreational opportunity and aquatic habitat.

Many of us fish and enjoy the waters between McKay Station and Nesowadnehunk Falls – many of us have experienced the rapid, drastic drops in water levels that happen due to generator trips and other problems at McKay Station. Some think that reported flows don’t match what’s really happening. At least one person has documented a rapid drop in water level stranding a landlocked salmon in an isolated pool during a low flow event.

If you are one of those who think that there is room for improvement, the relicensing process being conducted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides for direct comments by the public. To date, the whitewater community has been more vocal – we need to add the voices of fly fishers to theirs. To submit an input, go to https://ferconline.ferc.gov/quickcomment.aspx and follow the instructions. To file, you’ll need to know the project number: P-2572. There is additional information on the Maine TU Council website – https://tumaine.org/dam-relicensing

The relicensing is currently in the process of identifying the studies that Brookfield will need to conduct to provide information upon which to formulate the terms and conditions for future operations. Maine TU Council has proposed a Stranding Study to see how many fish are being stranded during low flow events. If this makes sense to you, please state your support of the study in your comments.