Mission:

To conserve wild Atlantic salmon, other sea run fish and their habitats, restore
a viable recreational salmon fishery and protect other important river, scenic,
recreational and ecological resources in eastern Maine.
 Public Informational Meeting February 2, 2017

Presented by:
Joseph M. McLean, PE
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 4
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 5
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 6
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 7
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 8
 Assessment of Options
Fish Passage Structures
Nature-like
Structural

Dam Removal

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 9
 Fish Passage Structures
Operational Requirements
Desired Species Passage
Swimming Capabilities/Behavior
Volume of Species Migration

Long Term Maintenance

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 10
 Dam Removal
Existing Impoundment Uses
Fire Protection
Recreation
Biological and Ecological Value

Structural Considerations
Condition
Stability

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 13
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 17
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 18
 Dam Removal Considerations
Recreational Use (1,555 acres)
Many Camps/Residences
Active Fishing and Boating
Good Structural Condition
2005 Reconstruction
Fishway Considerations
Low Height
Good Candidate for Nature-like Passage

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 19
 Rocky Lake Outlet
Alternative Risk/concern
Nature Like Expensive
Fish Passage Limited fish passage efficiency Fish passage
(run time delay?)
No Action No fish passage
Loss of potential economic
benefits (herring harvest,
lobster bait, food source)
Loss of potential ecological
benefits (for freshwater and
marine fish and wildlife)
Benefit Cost
Keep dam and flowage Dam
Modification/improve
Aesthetically pleasing/tourist ments
destination
Low maintenance Fishway
Maintain wetland habitat at the $-Waiting for
Rocky Lake Flowage alternatives
Economic benefits (herring harvest,
lobster bait, food source)
Ecological benefits (for freshwater
and marine fish and wildlife)
Keep dam and impoundment Unknown
(cultural, historic and scenic values)
Low short term cost
Maintain wetland habitat above dam
at Rocky Lake
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 22
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 23
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 24
 Dam Removal Considerations
Biological-Ecological Value
Designated Area of Statewide Significance
Poor Dam Condition
Fishway Considerations
Moderate Dam Height
Possible Candidate for Nature-like Passage,
but Structural Fishways shall also be strongly
considered

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 25
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 26
 Structural Inspection
Performed November 29, 2016
Classified as Intermediate Sized, Low-Hazard Dam
Overall condition was found to be Poor
Outlet Works Valve Vault
Operation Integrity of Rodney Hunt Gate
Deteriorated concrete and cracking on Auxiliary Spillway
Minor leakage observed through Auxiliary Spillway (cracks
and ledge interface)
Vegetation and Brush Growth on Earthen Embankment
Sections
Erosion/Undermining of the Main Spillway abutment
Similar Findings as Prior Engineering Inspection in 2010

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 27
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 28
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 29
 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
Does not have spillway capacity as currently
managed
Overtops in a 50-year Storm Event (0.3 feet)
Overtops in a 100-year Storm Event (0.8 feet)

Does have spillway capacity with managed

with all gates open
1 foot of freeboard in the 50-year storm
Does not overtop in the 100-year storm

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 30
 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
Managing the Impoundment with all gates
open would reduce substantially lower the
impoundment
Risk/Damage from Overtopping Events
Minimal
Ledge along both Bridge Abutments

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 31
 Preliminary Recommendations
Remove/Demolish Extent of Dam in Poor
Condition, which no longer serves a
functional purpose
Improve Spillway Conditions
Approx. $75,000 to $150,000

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 32
 Orange River Flowage Dam (Lubec Power & Light)
Alternative Risk/concern Benefit Cost

Technical Fish Fish species limitation Keep dam and flowage Dam
Passage Cost Fish passage Modification/improvements
(Denil/Steeppass) Long term maintenance Requires dam restoration $75,000 - $150,000
Requires dam restoration Lower cost than nature like Fishway
Limited fish passage efficiency (run time Maintain wetland habitat at the Orange River $-Waiting for alternatives
delay?) Flowage
A drop in impoundment may impact Economic benefits (herring harvest, lobster bait,
important habitat above (may not be the food source)
case) Ecological benefits (for freshwater and marine
Could be negative impact of re- fish and wildlife)
introduced species on current population
Could be replacing one ecosystem for
another

Nature Like Fish Expensive Keep dam and flowage Dam

Passage Limited fish passage efficiency (run time Fish passage Modification/improvements
delay?) Requires dam restoration $75,000 - $150,000
A drop in impoundment may impact Aesthetically pleasing/tourist destination Fishway
important habitat above (may not be the Low maintenance $-Waiting for alternatives
case) Maintain wetland habitat at the Orange River
Could be negative impact of re- Flowage
introduced species on current population Economic benefits (herring harvest, lobster bait,
Could be replacing one ecosystem for food source)
another Ecological benefits (for freshwater and marine
fish and wildlife)

No Action No fish passage Keep dam and pond (cultural, historic and scenic Unknown
Loss of potential economic benefits values)
(herring harvest, lobster bait, food Keep existing fire water supply
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 35
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 36
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 37
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 38
 Dam Removal Considerations
Historic and Cultural Value
Fire Suppression Water Supply
Dam Condition

Fishway Considerations
Substantial Dam Height
Very Challenging Site for Nature-like Fishways
Structural Fishways shall be principally considered

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 39
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 40
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 41
 Whiting Fire Company
Serves Portions of Whiting, Trescott, and Edmunds
ISO Fire Insurance Rating (2007)
Areas within five (5) road miles of Whiting Fire Station
Whiting Classified as 8
Trescott Classified as 7
Edmunds Classified as 8
Structures outside of the 5 mile area or with a water
need greater than 3,500 gpm are Classified as 10
Classification Scale ranges from 1 to 10
1 is exemplary, 10 does not meet minimum criteria

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 42
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 43
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 44
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 45
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 46
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 47
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 48
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 49
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 50
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 51
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 52
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 53
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 54
 Preliminary Findings
There are a variety of alternative sites for Fire
Suppression Water Supply Systems if the Whiting Corner
Dam is removed
Maintaining Insurance Rating is possible with
development of cisterns in Whiting Corner
Improvement to Insurance Rating is possible with
development of additional fire suppression water supply
sites
Functional capabilities of fire protection systems (not just
insurance ratings) are also able to be maintained and
improved

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 55
 Structural Inspection
Performed November 29, 2016
Classified as Intermediate Sized, Low-Hazard Dam
Overall condition was found to be Unsafe
Significant spalling and delamination of concrete face as well as
diagonal, vertical, and horizontal cracking on the Dam Crest,
Faces, and Training Wall
Exposed stone rubble and timber
Leakage through Dam at Downstream Face
Undermining/Erosion at interface between bottom of wall and
ledge
Inoperable Spillway and Low Level Outlet Gates
Vegetation and Brush Growth
Powerhouse is severely deteriorating and in eminent risk of
collapse
No Known Prior Inspection Reports

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 56
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 57
 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis
Does not have spillway capacity as currently managed
Overtops in a 50-year Storm Event (0.1 feet)
Overtops in a 100-year Storm Event (0.5 feet)

Does have spillway capacity managed with gates open

1 foot of freeboard in the 50-year storm (5 feet of boards
removed)

Risk/Damage due to overtopping is significant

Significant Erosion/Environmental Damage
Significant Uncontrolled Structural Failure could occur

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 58
Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 59
 Preliminary Recommendations
Repair Dam Structure and Improve Spillway
Conditions
Approx. $700,000 to $1,400,000

Demolish and Reconstruct Dam

Approx. $1,100,000 to $1,500,000

Orange River, Whiting, ME Fish Passage Feasibility Study February 2, 2017, Side 60
 Whiting Mill Pond
Alternative Risk/concern Benefit Cost General Concerns/comments
Technical Fish Fish species limitation Keep dam and pond Dam Hirtoric registry could be helpful
Passage Cost Fish passage Modification/improvements for grant funding, may not
(Denil /Pool & weir) Long term maintenance Requires dam restoration $690,000 $1,375,000 impede construction
Requires dam restoration Lower cost than nature like Fishway
Limited fish passage efficiency (run time Reduce public safety hazard $-Waiting for alternatives Dam liability falls on owners
delay?) Maintain wetland habitat at the Mill Pond (Downeast Salmon Federation)
Engineers reports not consistent with other Economic benefits (herring harvest, lobster bait, food
engineer observations source) The fire water supply is
Ecological benefits (for freshwater and marine fish and important to multiple
wildlife) surrounding towns, not just
Easy herring harvest Whiting
Keep existing fire water supply
Who would be responsible for
Nature Like Fish Expensive Keep dam and pond Dam future dam operation if a dam
Passage Limited fish passage efficiency (run time Fish passage Modification/improvements stays?
delay?) Requires dam restoration $690,000 $1,375,000
Engineers reports not consistent with other Reduce public safety hazard Fishway Concerns that more emphasis is
engineer observations Aesthetically pleasing/tourist destination $-Waiting for alternatives being put on the importance of
Low maintenance fish than people/community
Maintain wetland habitat at the Mill Pond
Economic benefits (herring harvest, lobster bait, food Mill Pond is important for
source) recreating, swimming
Ecological benefits (for freshwater and marine fish and
wildlife) There could be negative
economic impacts of this
Dam Removal Alternative fire water supply required Reduce public safety hazard $150,000 $300,000 project?
Loss of dam and pond (cultural, historic and 100% fish passage Fire water supply cost?
scenic values) No maintenance
Possibility of fire insurance increase Low cost
Loss of wetland habitat at the Mill Pond Economic benefits (herring harvest, lobster bait, food
Engineers reports not consistent with other source)
engineer observations Ecological benefits (for freshwater and marine fish and
Alternative water supply may freeze wildlife)
Could be landowner issues with alternative River restored
water supply
Who will carry the cost of fire water supply
improvements?
No Action Public safety hazard (attractive Keep dam and pond (cultural, historic and scenic Unknown Cost
nuisance/flood hazard) values)
No fish passage Keep existing fire water supply
Long term maintenance (cost) Low short term cost
Insurance costs Maintain wetland habitat at the Mill Pond
Unknown future cost (catastrophic failure