
The Royal River flows nearly 26 miles from its source in Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester to its mouth in Casco Bay in Yarmouth. The watershed includes approximately 141 square miles of land in the towns of Auburn, Durham, Gray, New Gloucester, Pownal, North Yarmouth and Yarmouth. The Town of Yarmouth owns two dams, the Bridge Street Dam and the East Elm Street Dam. These are the lower-most dams in the watershed. Together they block access to over 100 miles of mainstem and tributary habitat for migratory fish. As part of the Royal River Restoration Project and following recommendations of the 2008 Royal River Corridor Master Plan, the Town of Yarmouth is evaluating options for fisheries and habitat restoration.
The 2008 Royal River Corridor Master Plan recommended performing a comprehensive study of the advantages and disadvantages of removing dams and recommended that improvements to fish passage be made throughout the river corridor:
“In terms of fish passage, the Lower Falls do not present a barrier to most fish species. Although the Upper Falls may themselves be a barrier, there is a side channel to the east of those falls that allows fish passage around the falls. In contrast, the two dams present a complete barrier to all fish passage. A concrete Denil fish passage exists at each dam, but these structures are flawed and do not appear to be providing adequate function.”
-Royal River Corridor Master Plan, 2008,p. 8.

Royal River Dams
Bridge Street Dam
Structure: The Bridge Street Dam is made of reinforced concrete and is approximately 275 feet in length and 10 feet high. The hydropower turbines are located in the basement of the Sparhawk Mill, a penstock moves water from the Dam to the Sparhawk Mill where some is used for the hydropower operations.
Purpose: A hydroelectric generating facility at Sparhawk Mill uses water from Bridge Street Dam to produce small amounts of hydropower foruse by tenants of the Sparhawk Mill with limited amount sent to the power grid. The Town receives minimal if any revenue from the hydropower operation.
Owner: The Town of Yarmouth acquired the dam, right-of-way over adjoining property and flowage right in 1973. Flowage rights are limited to maintaining or lowering the existing water level.
Fish passage: Fish passage facilities were not part of the original dam configuration but were added in 1974. The Maine Department of Marine Resources maintains a lease from the Town to operate the fishway but the fishway has not been maintained and does not function. Funding from the Department of Marine Resources for repair or maintenance is severely limited.
Licensing: The hydropower operation holds an exemption from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) because it produces very little power. The FERC license is in the process of being surrendered.
East Elm Street Dam
Structure: The East Elm Street Dam is made of stone and is approximately 250 feet in length and is 12 feet high. It is an aging structure with visible evidence of deterioration.
Purpose: The East Elm Street Dam produces no power and there are no remaining industries associated with it. A mill was originally built in the vicinity of the dam in 1759 to power an iron refinery.
Owner: The Town of Yarmouth acquired the dam and flowage rights in 1971.
Fish passage: The Maine Department of Marine Resources maintains a lease from the Town to operate the fishway but the fishway languished for years without being maintained. It is not clear if the fishway has ever performed well. Funding from the Department of Marine Resources for repair or maintenance is severely limited.
Download the Royal River Fishways Fact Sheet
Links
Royal River Restoration Project: Phase II Analysis and Reporting, 2013
Executive Summary of Phase II Analysis and Reporting, PDF
Phase II Analysis and Reporting, without appendixes, PDF
Phase II Analysis and Reporting with appendixes, PDF
Summary of Recreational Changes Associated with Dam Removal and River Restoration 2013
Royal River Recreational Summary, PDF
Map of Royal River Fish Passage, 2013
Royal River Corridor Master Plan, 2008
Royal River Corridor Master Plan, PDF
Fisheries & Aquatic Habitat Restoration Feasibility Study, 2010
Fisheries & Aquatic Habitat Restoration Feasibility Study, PDF
Link to Town of Yarmouth website for Appendices to 2010 Report
Royal River Water Quality Monitoring Report, 1993-1999
Anadromous Fish Restoration in the Royal River, 1981
Royal River Drainage Fish Management, 1958
Fish Species
Historical and Present Royal River Fish Species, PDF
Photo Simulations of Dam Removal
Photo Simulations of Dam Removal Process, PDF
~In the News~
Portland Press Herald
Yarmouth still seeking consensus on removal of two dams
Tri-Town Weekly
Pownal Dam Gets Heave H0, 7/24/13
Portland Press Herald
Dam’s removal will help restore river, 4/14/13
Royal River restoration: a three day cooperative effort has begun to remove 25 granite blocks that once formed a dam on the Yarmouth waterway.
Portland Press Herald Article and Video, 8/1/12
Royal River restoration in Yarmouth begins with small ‘stepping stone‘
Yarmouth dams a Royal (River) attraction for Thai officials
Blueprint for healthy Royal River calls for removing Yarmouth dams
Maine Voices article by Landis Hudson, 2/20/12
Yarmouth Councilors Move Toward Removal of Royal River Dams
Yarmouth Begins Dam Discussions
Yarmouth Dam Opened for Inspection