Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-02

| i'm this city. A great deal of mlscon'
ception exists regarding the matter, and
in order that it may be better under
stood, Chairman Carleton. of the COM
mission of inland fisheries and game
has kindly furnished the Journal with
the following:
Mr.. Atkins in his first annual report fol
the year 1863 as Commissioner of Fisheries
| saws: My attention has been directed
principally, during the year now ending
| to the construction OF fiShways and tht
| introduction and dissemination OF blacR
| bass and Schoodic salmon. The con
struction of good flshWays over all dams
! otherwise impossible by any of the fishes
| that ascend our rivers or streams to dc
so, is of the utmost Importance
| for the preservation and Improvement ol
| the river fisheries. AS the creation oil
these impossible barriers has been the
prime cause of the destruction of Il large
| portion OF the wealth that should now be
| yearly drawn from the rivers, in the
shape of salmon, shad and alewlves, So
| the construction of suitable fishways Will
| do more to restore it than anything else,
| that it is possible for us to do. Ana
| having given much prominence TO the
| necessity of building tishwayS, L may DC
| allowed to bring forward certain other
considerations connected with their con-
struction in part, but not altogether, new.
The fact is, that fishways have been Il
great bugbear without adequate reason.
Men have been in the habit or taking
about them as almost incompatible with
the use of running water for power, ana
not a few have thought it difficult to IN
duce fish to ascend through hshWay as
to drive camel through needles eye.
In truth, these migratory fish are as
prone to climb Il fishws.y as the sparks to
fly upward or the water to flow down
ward. The most persistent efforts
are made by all migratory fish to pass
the dams, and not crevice can escape
their claSe scrutiny.
The above from Mr.. Atkins was accept
ed as demonstrated truth in this State
send laws were passed as L nave ShoWh
to provide for fishwayS in dams and other
constructions in rivers and streams.
find it rather difficult to trace accurately
the history of fishwayS on our various
rivers from the fact that no records
have come to this office relating to them
but few plans can be found and about
all the light one can get on the subject is
contained in the annual reports OF the
fish commissioners.
FISHWAYS ON THE PRESUMPSCOT.
These were erected in 1870 over all
the dams in this river in accordance with
plans furnished by Mr.. Atkins, who says
in his report of 1871 that this river lis
naturally salmon river, but that species
is now extinct there
These fiSIWayS were maintained ana
kept in repair until 1901. The fishing on
the river or in Sebago lake had not i'm
proved meanwhile Notwithstanding much
effort and money was expended in planting
salmon in the river and landlocked sal
mon in the lake. 1t was found that large
numbers OF land locked salmon left the
lake especially the larger ones and did
not return. Notwithstanding, there were
suitable fshwayS, and sea salmon, Shad
and alcwives did not frequent the river.
At the session of the Legislature of 1891.
resolution was passed appropriatnS one
thousand dollars to screen this lake. to
t,lyG Ia
of course. would prevent any fish entering
the lake through the fishways.
This action was taken at the inStigatiOn
F, of those interested in the fishing in this
! lake
Hon. Harry Virgin. Ex-President of the
| Senate and the entire delegation in the
legislature from that section of the State
| earnestly advocated it. The screen was
put in. which of course, rendered the fish
! ways useless and nc necessity existed for
| their further maintainence. Now as to
| the practical misunderstanding has wonder
| fully increased in the lake. More salmon
having been taken there this year than
| for the ten years previously combined.
So much for fishways on the Presump-
scot.
ON THE ST. CROIX RIVER.
| Mr. Atkins says in his report for the
year 1869 that the dams on the lower part
of this river, that have so long hindered
the ascent of salmon to their breeding
AT Midtown there is a passage between
the dams that makes the best of fish
ways" At Barring IL tshway was con-
| structed this and the following year
Mr.. Atkins further says In the fishery
law of Canada, there is a provision
against the throwing of mill rubbish into
any stream freuuented by fish and he
speaks of the urgent necessity of such d
law well enforced in this State for the
! advantage of the fisheries.
1t is well to bear this in mind that mill
| rubbish has been constantly dumped in
TO our rivers ever since when we are cast
ing about for the reason for the dimnu-
ton of the yearly salmon run up these
rivers So far as the reports would show
anything it would seem that these fish
ways have been maintained ever SINCE
as well as one at Princeton and one al
| Grand Lake stream and it would seem to
| be difficult to point out in what respect
the want of tishways on this rvefkand it.
| tributaries since 1890 has contributed tC
| the prevention of salmon ascending thu
river.
1t will be readily admitted by all fair
| minded citizens that one fact is worth
| more than a thousand theories. Here is
n afct as stated by Mr.. Atkins. He told
| the people of this State in 1869 that 9TH.
throwing of mill rubbish into any stream
irequented by fish was great detriment
Il was of the urgent necessity of a law
we'll Informed to prevent the throwing OF
mill rubbish into any stream frequente6
! ny ilSil, loT the advantage OF the fish
| cries"
His recommendations went UNDECIDED
| Mill rubbish has been thrown into this
| river ever since and fishways have beer
open in this river ever since II salmon
| i1shlng there is not what it ought to be
Is not what it might be, it is not for tn,
lack of hshways all these years-the Dub
lie will look for the cause in other di
rections, and form their own conclusions.
FIsliWAYs ON THE KENNEBEC
RIVER.
MIR. Atkins says in his report for tn,
year ny that legal steps have been com
, iilenceo 10 secure the erection of fishways
over the dams at Augusta. Kendalls Mil,
anu ohowhegan. and on the Sebasticook
t ean me dams at Benton upper and lowe,
Ia,is. at Clinton. at Detroit and at New
. ESsh.at augusta it was decided that tn.
IN hway should be built on the left side n
SINNER, rHer'- the time allowed for the con.
d Ma uotion Will expire on the 3lst day n
y If MI rSu,-the plan is essentially tba,
port" eNnipiteo IN ms first re
= NY friend Judkins Of watervi,,e i ii,
s of TO the Bangor Dailv Nou ,.
81 May 3d. which was " n,,h,i NH~i
- on;ni,r y would like to nffer ~.
1t Ipi.ion. II that fishway at Auo,,s e. , .n'
; n,tti PUT IN on the east end of ~ aa I'sl'
Il iIStttu OF the west end tbo us,, va III
y, 80, found their way into ma al .. moul,
III Anc further he saws ~ ror rnauusl
uullhs the time that the d,n, ~ eHiii ,
. WdS Carried ayvav NuAii ct aug uSIs