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| Restoration
of mill dam. Recently, the mill restoration project has come under attack by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department. Click here for an in-depth discussion of our application to partially restore the mill dam and how the IF&W claims are based on incorrect assumptions. We care deeply about the Crooked River and it's pristine setting. Many of our membership enjoy fishing near the mill. This is a beautiful historic mill setting; imagine the sound of a water wheel turning instead of the sound of pumps and generators. The proposed fish passageway is a natural design that blends in with the river. Here are some concerns: 1. The original dam had a 12 foot head. We are proposing a 4 foot head. A very small dam indeed! 2. The dam we are proposing contains a 2.5 % grade nature-like rock-ramp fishway. This is much less than the natural 4.5% grade downriver!!! 3. According to a detailed study by fish passage expert Jon Truebe; "All of the target species could pass this structure with little delay over all the design flows..." (page 5, Lakeside Engineering Report, June 20, 2007, Scribner's Mill Upstream Fish Passage) 4. Our proposed fishway would be similar to that installed by Maine IF&W at Bolsters Mill, about a mile upriver, except that Bolsters Mill has a much steeper grade and taller head than our proposed reconstruction. click here to view. 5. The original impoundment was 27.5 acres. The new dam impoundment will be only 10.9 acres. 6. Concerns about warm water species in impoundment competing with salmon. Here is a quote from IF&W's own publication, Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, page 21: "Competition with warm-water fish such as bass, perch, pickerel exists both between younger, insect-eating salmon and the older fish-eaters. However, we have found that salmon can tolerate a much higher degree of competition from warm-water fish than we formerly believed." Click here for a detailed plan of the dam and fish passage we are proposing |
Our Vision
- Scribner’s Mill is to be an accurately reconstructed saw mill, powered by water using
early technology to produce wood products. Once operational, the mill will be open to the
public to demonstrate the antique machinery and the products produced from its early
beginnings in 1847 through 1962. When restored to its original operation, the flutter and tub wheels will operate a sash saw, the log haul-in wheel, and the “great circular dagon” (a cut off saw which cut stock to length). The mill additions will hold the machinery which was introduced as the mill’s product line expanded, such as the manufacture of shingles, lathe turned handles, dry barrels, clapboards, and shook. When restored, the mill is to operate from early April through November with the capability of producing wood products for the restoration speciality market. These materials will be unique in that they will be produced on authentic machinery and be suitable for museum quality restorations. The mill will be used as an educational center to teach the life and times of an early family operated lumbering business. Local high schools and forestry colleges will be encouraged to use our site for course instruction and internships. There will be programs, throughout the season, to draw tourists and local residents to the site. Scribner’s Mill Preservation, Inc. will use the all income derived from the mill’s operation to maintain and continue the operation of the mill. It will be used to support a multiple use site featuring the historical mill and homestead in its natural environment, for public viewing, recreation, and historic interpretation. |
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