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Committee weighs beaver removal, dam notching and water-level monitoring to protect fish passage
Summary
Members discussed recurring beaver activity under the bridge, removal or notching options, state permits and trapping, and the need for a single operator or remote monitors to manage water levels for alewife passage and nesting birds.
Beaver activity near the bridge and fishway has been a persistent agenda item for the Sedgwick–Brooksville Town Landing Committee. At the Nov. 9, 2022 meeting and in prior minutes, John Kimball reported beaver blockage under the bridge that was removed on one occasion but noted ongoing activity. Committee members recorded contacts with state agencies, including DOT and DEP, and discussed the technical and liability aspects of notching, trapping and dam removal.
Members referenced prior conversations and actions: Mike Thalhauser and other attendees presented engineering data and fish-count numbers, including alewife counts reported near 325,000 in earlier seasons. Minutes repeatedly recommend maintaining records of actions taken, exploring remote water-level monitoring, and identifying a single responsible person (an inland harbor master or a designated operator) to make dam adjustments in coordination with fish-passage needs, nest protection and landowner interests.
The committee voted at times to trap and relocate beavers and to research permitting with IF&W and DEP; minutes show discussions of warden involvement and long-term maintenance plans for the fishway.
Quotations from minutes: "Beaver blockage under the bridge has been removed and water is flowing freely." — John Kimball "Mike: Roughly 325,000 have been counted each year." — Mike Thalhauser (meeting minutes)
What happens next: the committee plans to continue coordinating with state agencies, secure permits where necessary, and consider remote monitoring and a formal operating plan to balance fish passage and shoreline/landowner needs.
