Downeast Salmon Federation

10/08/2026

🍂 One Last Look at The Cherryfield Fish Passage Improvement Project in 2026!

A lot has changed along the Narraguagus River this summer, and we invite you to come see the transformation firsthand!

Join us on Friday, October 30, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. for our final Community Project Tour of 2026 at the Cherryfield Fish Passage Improvement Project!

Come see the incredible progress made over the past several months, learn how the project is improving fish passage, and get a look at what's next as construction wraps up and improvements to Cable Pool Park continue.

🎃 And why not make an evening of it? While you're in town, check out the Scaryfield Shiverwalk & Haunted Museum, happening from 4:00–8:00 p.m. It's a great opportunity to explore Cherryfield, catch up on this exciting river restoration project, and enjoy some spooky fun!

More information on the Scaryfield Shiverwalk & Haunted Museum can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1111175234646022/1111175241312688/

We hope to see you there!

10/07/2026

Did you catch us on Maine Calling today? 🎙️

A big thank you to DSF’s Ellie Mason, Maine Coast Heritage Trust's Jacob van de Sande, and Ernie Atkinson of the Maine Department of Marine Resources for joining today’s program to talk about the Fish Passage Improvement Project in Cherryfield and the exciting progress underway on the Narraguagus River!

Due to some technical delays, the live broadcast got a bit of a late start—but the good news is you can catch the full program tonight at 8:00 p.m.

You can also listen here: https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2026-10-07/narragaugus-river-fish-passage

Maine's Narraguagus River is about to be completely free-flowing to the sea. Environmental groups have been working to restore the river as habitat for Maine's endangered Atlantic Salmon. Learn more: Wednesday, live at 11 am & again at 8 pm. Call 800-399-3566; email [email protected]; or comment here.

10/05/2026

An important update for Maine’s coastal waters: A federal judge has ruled that Conservation Law Foundation’s lawsuit against Cooke Aquaculture over alleged Clean Water Act violations can move forward.

DSF has been proud to support this effort as we believe Maine’s waters, wild fisheries, and coastal communities deserve strong protections and accountability when those resources are put at risk.

Read more about the ruling here: https://www.clf.org/newsroom/court-rules-clfs-case-against-cooke-aquaculture-can-move-forward/

You can check out more on Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Foundation's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=682MoYqJ5yA

We’re grateful to CLF for continuing this important work!

This ruling brings us one step closer to protecting the health of Maine’s waters and the ecosystems, industries, and communities that rely on them.

10/05/2026

(207) 255-6561, 41 Broadway Machias, ME, USA 04654 Serving Machias and Washington County for over 170 years.

10/02/2026

Cherryfield Fish Passage Improvement Project Update - October 1, 2026

Sargent Construction has been moving quickly to remove the temporary rock barrier that kept water out of the construction area and to fill in the temporary bypass channel that carried the Narraguagus River around the work site this summer. Excavated material that had been stored nearby has also been returned to Cable Pool Park.

Work is now shifting toward improvements at the park, which will continue through the end of November. This includes creating new walking paths and a river overlook, installing benches and picnic tables, bringing electricity into the park, and restoring vegetation in areas impacted by construction. Additional planting will take place next spring when conditions are better suited for certain species.

Over the next couple of weeks, crews will also make a few final adjustments to the new step pool channel—the series of gradual pools that now carries the river through the project area and provides a more natural passage for fish and other aquatic species. This work will be completed before the end of the in-water construction period on October 15.

As these final adjustments are made and more water moves through the new channel, you may notice brief periods of muddy or cloudy water downstream. This is expected to subside quickly and become less frequent as the work wraps up.

And a big thank you to everyone who joined us for last Friday’s public tour! With daylight hours getting shorter, we’re looking at a new date and time for one final tour before the site reopens to the public.

Stay tuned for details!

Project Partners:
The Town of Cherryfield
Downeast Salmon Federation
Maine Coast Heritage Trust
The Nature Conservancy in Maine
Atlantic Salmon Federation
Sargent
Inter-Fluve

Learn more about this project at the link in our bio.

09/30/2026

In case you missed it! 🎣

Last week, we welcomed friends, partners, and community members to our annual Open House in East Machias for an afternoon of tours, conversation, celebration, and a special presentation from author Catherine Schmitt.

A highlight of the evening was our annual Pass the Paddle ceremony, where we were proud to honor Bailey Bowden for his dedication to Downeast Maine’s rivers, fisheries, and communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special — and congratulations again to Bailey on a well-deserved honor!

📸 Check out a few highlights from the day below:

09/29/2026

Our Fall 2026 issue of Intervale is here!

There’s a lot happening at Downeast Salmon Federation, and our newest issue brings you the latest from across our rivers, hatcheries, conservation lands, and communities. From major restoration projects taking shape to updates on Atlantic salmon recovery, land conservation, advocacy, and more, Intervale offers a look at the work your support helps make possible.

Dive into the Fall 2026 issue of Intervale and see what we’ve been up to:

Our Fall 2026 issue of Intervale is here! There’s a lot happening at Downeast Salmon Federation, and our newest issue brings you the latest from across our rivers, hatcheries, conservation…

09/25/2026

Cherryfield Fish Passage Improvement Project Update - September 25, 2026

A major milestone in Cherryfield!

This week, the Narraguagus River was reconnected through the new nature-like fishway, and the temporary bypass channel was officially decommissioned!

After months of the river being routed around the project site during construction, it was incredibly rewarding to watch water begin flowing through the new low-flow step pool channel for the first time.

As the bypass channel was decommissioned, project staff and Maine Department of Marine Resources staff were on hand to safely relocate several sunfish and eels upriver. Sargent has also made rapid progress filling in the former bypass channel and removing the remaining rock cofferdam material. Residents may notice some muddy or turbid water downstream as this work wraps up, which is expected to settle over the coming days.

With the river flowing through the new fishway, work is now shifting to the park and public spaces. Over the next several weeks, crews will begin clearing new walking paths, installing benches and picnic tables, regrading the road, and preparing other site improvements, with work continuing through the end of November.

After years of planning and months of construction, seeing the Narraguagus flow through its new channel marks an exciting moment for this project and for Cherryfield!

Don't forget to join us tonight from 4:00p-6:00p for our Community Project Tour so you can see the progress up close!

Project Partners:
The Town of Cherryfield
Downeast Salmon Federation
Maine Coast Heritage Trust
The Nature Conservancy in Maine
Atlantic Salmon Federation
Sargent
Inter-Fluve

Learn more about this project at the link in our bio.

09/22/2026

Reminder - join us tomorrow (9/23) for our annual Open House & Pass the Paddle event at our East Machias location from 3:00p-6:00p. Hope to see you there!