Water Quality -

The SRWA is committed to projects that help to improve the water quality of the Sebasticook River Watershed. 

According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Water Classification Program Report (Title 38, Article 4-A), the Sebasticook River holds the following water quality classification:

• Sebasticook River, main stem, including all impoundments - from the confluence of the East Branch and the West Branch to its confluence with the Kennebec River - Class C (Ambient water quality sufficient to support life stages of all indigenous fish species. Change in community composition may occur, but structure and function of community must be maintained).

• Sebasticook River, tributaries - Class B (Habitat unimpaired. Ambient water quality sufficient to support life stages of all indigenous species. Only non-detrimental changes in community composition allowed) unless otherwise specified.

• Sebasticook River, East Branch main stem, from the outlet of Lake Wassookeag to its confluence with Corundel Lake - Class B.

• Sebasticook River, East Branch main stem, from the outlet of Corundel Lake to its confluence with the West Branch - Class C.

• Sebasticook River, West Branch main stem, from the outlet of Great Moose Lake to its confluence with the East Branch, including all impoundments - Class C.

Fish and Wildlife -

The Sebasticook River is the largest tributary (985 square miles) to the Kennebec and thus plays an important role in the restoration of both the anadromous and resident aquatic fisheries of the Kennebec basin and the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Due to it's relatively close proximity to the lower Kennebec, large drainage area, and low gradient, this watershed historically contributed a major percentage of available spawning and nursery habitat for anadromous runs of alewife, blueback herring, American shad, rainbow smelt, and striped bass associated with the Kennebec River watershed and Gulf of Maine ecosystems. To a lesser extent, the river provided habitat for Atlantic salmon.

Sebasticook River Ecological Study PDF File Download   

Black Terns in Maine PDF File Download

SRWA Alewife Migration Study PDF File Download

Maine Crayfish and Their Significance to Aquatic Life

The Sebasticook River has a rich history in Maine - tied with Maine's rich woolen, grist and lumber mill history in towns like Newport, Pittsfield and Clinton.