In the summer of 2026, the removal of the Bridge Street dam in Yarmouth’s stretch of the Royal River marked a historic step forward and showcased the value of partnerships and persistence. Maine Rivers has been a key part of the long process. For many generations the river remained blocked just above the head of tide. Opening the waterway offers opportunities for water quality improvements and fish passage. Efforts are underway to focus on the Elm Street dam, the next barrier upstream and to continue restoration efforts further upstream.
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. For many years the Town of Yarmouth owned two dams, the Bridge Street Dam and the East Elm Street Dam, the two lower-most dams in the watershed. Together the Bridge Street and Elm Street dams blocked access to over 100 miles of mainstem and tributary habitat for migratory fish.
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
Coming together for a purpose
Work to remove the Bridge Street dam was a collaborative effort over years, engaging many members of the community, the Town of Yarmouth, as well as nonprofit organizations including Maine Rivers, American Rivers, Royal River Conservation Trust, Royal River Alliance, and Trout Unlimited, and agencies, including Maine DMR and USFWS.
Elm Street Dam
Work is underway now to raise funds for the removal of the next upstream dam, the Elm Street Dam. It is owned by the Town of Yarmouth. For more information and update,s please send a message to <contact@mainerivers.org>