Endangered Atlantic salmon may soon return to the Narraguagus River in Maine after the removal of the Cherryfield ice-control dam, a structure that had blocked their migration for over 60 years. The dam is being replaced with a "nature-like" design featuring a series of step-like pools that will allow fish to pass through while maintaining flood control and ice management. Construction began in June and is expected to be completed by November, following a town vote in 2023 and congressional approval. The project is funded by NOAA's Restoration Center as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Ellie Mason, the habitat restoration project manager overseeing the effort, explained that the Narraguagus River and its tributaries are among the most pristine in Maine, with dense forests and rocky riverbeds that provide ideal conditions for salmon. Despite these improvements, no wild Atlantic salmon have been observed in the river, even though the habitat is now more accessible. The Gulf of Maine's Atlantic salmon population is classified as endangered, with only about 25 wild adult fish returning each year to spawn. Historically, hundreds of thousands of salmon returned to Maine's rivers each spring before dams and log-driving practices disrupted their migration. Today, only around 1,000 salmon return to the state annually. The removal of the Cherryfield dam is the last remaining barrier on the main stem of the Narraguagus, leaving the river open for salmon to return. However, their return is not guaranteed, as many salmon die at sea due to climate change, and the population has become heavily reliant on hatcheries to sustain numbers. To be reclassified from endangered to threatened, Maine would need at least 1,500 wild adult salmon returning annually for multiple years. Delisting entirely would require 6,000 wild adults across different watersheds, with offspring needing suitable habitat and a growing population. Efforts to restore salmon habitat have been ongoing for decades, led by groups like Project SHARE, which replaced 61 fish-blocking culverts and used "chop and drop" methods to restore river flow and temperature. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Cherryfield dam in 1961 to prevent ice jams from flooding the town, but it became a barrier for salmon and shad. Scientists will measure the project's success by tracking shad, which are more numerous and sensitive to river barriers. Researchers found more shad DNA below the dam than above before its removal, and will repeat the test next summer to see if the new fishway improves migration. Maine's Narraguagus River is warmer than other salmon habitats, and the species can become stressed above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists have used infrared cameras to map temperature variations, finding that the river runs warm on most of its main stem. However, colder tributaries with known salmon populations are now more accessible with the dam’s removal. The future of Atlantic salmon depends on climate change and genetic diversity. Hatcheries in Maine, including two operated by the federal government and two by the Downeast Salmon Federation, produce hundreds of thousands of juvenile salmon each year. Only about 1,700 of these survive to become smolts, and just a few dozen return as adults. The federal recovery plan estimates that the Gulf of Maine population could take 75 years and over $800 million to recover, with benefits extending to overall biodiversity. Efforts to save Maine’s salmon are long-term, involving scientists, landowners, and communities like Cherryfield. The town, once a hub for sport fishing, hopes to see salmon numbers rebound, potentially reviving its economy through recreational fishing. Selectman Corey Smith, who remembers the salmon fishery before it closed, remains hopeful for the river's future.