The timeline of the Sebago Lake system restoration

Sebago Lake, surrounded by the towns of Casco, Naples, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham, is one of four lakes in Maine that had indigenous wild strains of Atlantic salmon . Now it has the largest and most robust population, and possibly the only nearly self-sustaining one of the four.

The Edes Falls dam was in the way of more progress in the state’s efforts to restore the Sebago watershed fishery. Here’s the timeline of the removal process;

A fisherman holds a salmon in this historic photo. Salmon were once abundant in the Sebago Lake watershed. Credit: Courtesy of Jim Wescott

A view of the covered bridge that once carried travelers over the Crooked River at Edes Falls. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

Edes Falls is pictured with Jugtown Road in the background of this historic photo. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

Old stumps can be seen below Edes Falls in this historic picture capturing the view up the Crooked River. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

This covered bridge over the Crooked River at Edes Falls was washed away in 1936. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

The Naples side of the Crooked River is shown in this view above Edes Falls. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

September – October 2019

Initial presentations to the select board by MDIFW, Sebago TU

Oct. 29, 2019

Initial public meeting regarding proposed dam removal

April 2021

Second public meeting regarding proposed dam removal

May – July 2021

Series of presentations by MDIFW and Sebago TU to the select board

August – October 2021:

Meetings of the Edes Falls Working Group

September 2021

Cleanout of trees, brush, debris from the dam sluiceway

Oct. 25, 2021

Presentation of working group findings. Select board votes to bring to town referendum

Edes Falls prior to dam removal, pictured in August 2022.

The town of Naples agreed to remove the remnants of the Edes Falls dam in 2022. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association.

Stones that once supported a covered bridge over the Crooked River were removed as part an effort to restore the Sebago Lake watershed. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

The view downstream of Edes Falls, prior to the dam removal. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

April 11, 2022

Partial dam removal proposal approved via town referendum

April 30 – May 1, 2023

Storm causes Jugtown Road side of dam to collapse

June 26, 2023

Select board votes a declaration of public safety emergency, approving full dam removal

2022 – 2024

Series of updates by Sebago TU to the select board

Thousands of pounds of debris was removed to clear the flow of the Crooked River, opening the waterway for fish to travel into Sebago Lake. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

It took a large team to remove the remnants of stones which once held up a covered bridge over the Crooked River. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

The Edes Falls dam was more than 200 years old, but its removal paved the way for the reintroduction of a heritage fish species. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

An excavator and a dump truck remove stone from the Edes Falls dam. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Lakes Association

Feb. 28, 2024

Maine DEP permit by rule Notification submitted

May 16, 2024

Town of Naples tree clearing permit issued

June 5, 2024

Town of Naples shoreland zoning permit issued; Army Corps of Engineers permit issued

June 7, 2024

Start of construction by Shaw Brothers, Inc.

June 19, 2024

Construction substantially complete, pending engineer’s review