Operational Plan for the Restoration of Diadromous Fishes to the ...

Mountain Pond as well as American eel throughout the drainage), Atlantic salmon,
and Cold water management and remote lakes. Occurrences of priority resources
were summed and rated as Category 1 (high) with four to six occurrences of priority
resources (30% of the drainage), Category 2 (medium) with one to three
occurrences of priority resources (65% of the drainage), and Category 3 (low) with
zero occurrences of priority resources (5% of the drainage).
Northern pike are not adapted to strong currents. Water velocity exceeding 1.5 m/s
can block spawning migrations (Inskip 1982). Northern pike have little use for
riverine habitats where the gradient exceeds 5 m/km (0.5 % slope), and have less
tolerance for gradient than muskellunge (Inskip 1982). Therefore, natural falls and
dams where temporary velocity or jump barriers could be created were identified.
These barriers would be considered emergency measures but not permanent
solutions.
Tiered Risk Approach
In order to articulate the risk, the drainage was divided into three areas; 1) areas
where barriers exist and some action is possible, 2) areas without barriers that have
Category 1 resources and 3) areas without barriers that are category 2 or 3.
Level 1 Management actions
Locations where potential action can be taken are areas that are either above
natural barriers or above a human barrier that can be modified where Category 1
resources are at risk. The risk of natural northern pike dispersal in these areas is
low.
• The Sebec drainage has two FERC regulated dams (Milo and Sebec) below
the outlet that currently have no provisions for passage.
• The upper Piscataquis River has three dams where temporary velocity or
jump barriers can be installed; Lower Dover-Foxcroft, Upper Dover-Foxcroft
and Guilford, which all currently have passage.
• The dam at Schoodic Lake has a 6’ dam with three gates – but at high water
it may be passable and West Seboeis Lake dam is impassible.
Level 2 Management actions
Vulnerable areas with Category 1 resources are the highest concern. This category
comprises 41% of accessible river habitat and 18% of accessible lake habitat
drainage below natural falls or dams.
• East Branch Pleasant and East Branch of the Seboeis are the two
tributaries of the Piscataquis River that have the potential connections to
the West Branch.
• Dow Pond is the only native/wild brook trout pond below an existing
barrier.
• Some restrictions on passage where possible that are compatible with
phased alewife and shad restoration goals.
PRFP Page 260