A Brief History of the Edwards Dam 1834 Maine citizens, fearing decimation of fisheries populations, protest against the concept of a dam in Augusta when it is first proposed in legislative authorization several years before the dam is even built. Kennebec River Dam Co. builds dam below the head of tide in Augusta.
Construction includes locks for boat passage and fish ladder.
1838 Fish ladder washed away in spring flood. Dams owners refuse to rebuild fish passage. 1842 - 1846 Dam powers seven saw mills, a grist mill, and a machine shop. Dam provides mechanical power for the textile mill through jack shafts and belt drives. 1913 First electrical generators installed.