Experience a Migratory Event

Arrive at Damariscotta Mills in May to view the annual return of thousands of alewives as they swim up the fish ladder from Damariscotta River to Damariscotta Lake. (Route 215). Alewives spend most of their lives in salt water, but reproduce in fresh water. It is not known how they recognize which stream to choose in order to return to the fresh water lake where they were born. However, at sexual maturity some instinct allows them to arrive back in Damariscotta Lake to spawn.

As evidenced by the significance of its Native American Nomenclature meaning, "place of an abundance of alewives", the Damariscotta Lake region has provided an important natural resource for its inhabitants. In 1807, legislation was passed requiring that the towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle keep an open passageway between the Damariscotta River and the New River Stream, which runs out of Damariscotta Lake. From the early 1800s until 1950, the alewives, which were harvested each year for smoking or pickling, were consumed locally or in the wider world market. From 1950 until 1992, most alewives were used as lobster bait. However in 1992, when the alewife population dwindled badly, the towns responsible legislated an eight- year moratorium on catching the alewives during their assent each spring.

Since 1807, the original construction of the fish ladder has been reconfigured and restored as needed. In 1995, because of eroded construction in the passageway, members of the Friends of the Alewives, the DLWA, the DRA and individuals joined together to restore the ladder. Each spring, further repairs must be made to ensure the safe conduct of the Alewives to their destination, Damariscotta Lake.

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