Dam Removal Efforts Lead to a Stunning Comeback for Maine’s Alewives

For a few weeks each summer, the Sebasticook River in Benton, Maine, is paved with flashing silver scales, so thick it seems you could almost walk across. The alewives have returned for their annual migration. On a mid-May weekend, Benton held its annual Alewife Festival on the riverbank.

First covered Jul 6, 2026 · 2:00 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Coverage

82d Inside Climate News Dam Removal Efforts Lead to a Stunning Comeback for Maine’s Alewives — For a few weeks each summer, the Sebasticook River in Benton, Maine, is paved with flashing silver scales, so thick it seems you could almost walk across.

Primary sources

asmfc.org Riverherringassessmentoverview Aug2024 (asmfc.org)

More coverage from around the web

therevelator.org How Removing One Maine Dam 20 Years Ago Changed Everything • The Revelator

nrcm.org Restoring Maine's Kennebec River above Waterville

nature.org Restoring Balance to the Kennebec River

mainerivers.org China Lake Alewife Restoration Initiative - Maine Rivers

npr.org 'One Of The Best Nature Shows': A River Transformed After Dams Come Down : NPR

Appeared in: 2026-07-06 (#14) · 2026-07-07 (#18)

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