Restoring Maine’s Rivers?

We often find ourselves having similar conversations during our pursuit of river restoration projects.

To address some of the common concerns and questions, we’ve developed video resources to show what goes on behind the scenes during the restoration process — the considerations, planning, experience, and driving forces behind our work.

Our goal is to help educate Mainers about the waters they love, so we can all work together to enhance them.

Click the share icon on any of these videos to access the embed code or links to the video.

Challenges in Funding River Restoration Projects

A look at the challenges communities face in approaching restoration work, and ways conservation organizations can support them to enhance Maine’s waters.

Hadley Couraud, River Restoration Manager, The Nature Conservancy

Edes Falls Dam Removal: Community Reactions

Communities can often be attached to what we see as obstacles, and this clip shares the story of what connected with the Naples community to make them vote in support of dam removal.

Jason Rogers, Town Manager, Naples, ME

Katie Cash-Staley, Teacher & Director of the Naples Historical Museum

Connectivity in Maine’s Rivers

This clip sets the context for our work to remove Edes Falls Dam by outlining the populations of fish throughout Maine and the need for river connectivity to support their needs.

Jim Wescott, Conservation Chair, Sebago Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Engineering Perspectives on River Restoration

A look at the considerations and approach to dam removal that often goes on behind the scenes.

David Huntress, Professional Engineer, New Meadows Environmental

Maine’s Constantly Changing Rivers

The very nature of water means that Maine’s rivers are always changing…but the impacts of climate change are leading to some unnatural impacts.

Colin Holme, Executive Director, Lakes Environmental Association

Considerations for Fish Passage

This clip goes beyond the buzzword of fish passage to dive into the details that make real impacts for fish trying to access critical habitat.

David Huntress, Professional Engineer, New Meadows Environmental

In developing the educational videos above, we realized the passion for river restoration and the need for this work are part of a bigger narrative going on all across the country. Our video partner, Heavy Edition, worked to create a short documentary that explores the story of the Edes Falls Dam removal — its history, impacts on the river, fish passage, community reactions, Indigenous perspectives, and more.

TRAILER — Strength in Numbers

A teaser trailer for the short documentary film.

If sharing this video, please link bank to the Edes Falls Project page on the Sebago TU website, where audiences can find the full film and other key project details.

FULL FILM — Strength in Numbers: The Crooked River Salmon Stronghold

This film originally premiered at the Gem Theater in Bethel, ME as part of a screening series that celebrated the Crooked River. If you’re interested in screening the film, please contact Erik here.

• Duration: 17 minutes

• Directed by Erik Heumiller

• Production by Heavy Edition