Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

Bridges over salmon streams get first priority for sand removal

Priority scheduling of winter sand removal - that's what the Maine Department of Transportation does to protect the habitat of federally endangered Atlantic salmon from the effects of sand buildup in the water. Since winter sand can flow directly into the river after a spring runoff and hurt or destroy salmon habitat, sand is removed first from bridges and bridge approaches on the main stem and the West Branch of the salmon-filled Sheepscot River on the state's central coast. The Department has also built catch basins on five "priority" state highway bridge sites identified by the Sheepscot River Watershed Council under a grant from the Fish America Foundation. The simple erosion-control devices are doing a good job in trapping winter sand and keeping it out of the river.

--Apr 25, 2003

Peter Newkirk, (207) 624-3072 or peter.Newkirk@maine.gov

Photo by William W. Hartley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Atlantic salmon

On or Near Bridges - Maine