 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
Evening Paddle Around Little Swan Island
with Warren WhitneyTuesday, July 30, 2024, 5:00 pm
Richhmond, Maine
Pre-register with Warren Whitney at 607-9057
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) is pleased to offer an upcoming evening paddle as part of their 2024 Outside Summer Series. On July 30th join former FOMB Executive Director Warren Whitney departing from Richmond for an evening paddle around Little Swan Island in the Kennebec River.
Located in the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden, four mile Swan Island and the adjacent Little Swan Island are part of the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area and included on the National Register of Historic Places. The Island's name itself is derived from “Swango,” the Abenaki name for “Island of Eagles.” In the late 1800s, a small settlement on the Island survived by farming, fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, brick manufacturing, and ice making. The Island was also reportedly visited by American historical figures Aaron Burr, Benedict Arnold and Colonel Henry Dearborn while on Arnold’s 1775 expedition to capture Quebec City. From 9,000 years ago to 4,500 years ago river levels, still tied up in newly melting glacial ice, were much lower. During this period, a probable waterfall transitioning to rapids as river levels rose, caused a natural impediment to migratory fish passage between northern Little Swan Island and Dresden. This in turn was the reason for a seasonal Native American fishing village existing adjacent to the “Dresden Falls” for most of this period. Once sea levels had risen enough and the obstructions were flooded out, fish could continue upstream and habitation of the site ceased.
Pre-registration is required for FOMB outings. Pre-register for the 5 pm Evening Swan Island Paddle with Warren Whitney at 607-9057. Participants must bring their own boat and possess at least intermediate paddling skills. PFDs are required.
The FOMB Summer Outside! Series is the warm weather counterpart to FOMB’s popular Winter Speaker Series. Events are usually free and are open to the public. Pre-registration is required. FOMB’s next outing will be a farm tour of Six River Farm on August 14 at 4:30 followed by the FOMB Annual Meeting and Potluck with live music provided by Cribstone. Pre-register with Ed Friedman at 666-3372.
The full Summer Outside! Series is on the web at: www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org
For more information about FOMB’s programs call Ed Friedman at 666-3372.
Sarah Stapler