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The Upper Kennebec Estuary

Six rivers – the Kennebec, Androscoggin, Cathance, Abagadasset, Muddy and Eastern – converge to form Merrymeeting Bay in the upper Kennebec estuary. This inland body of fresh and brackish tidal waters drains nearly forty percent of Maine, creating shallow, nutrient rich waters, expanses of wild rice, and more than 4,500 acres of prime waterfowl habitat.

Explore the Upper Kennebec Estuary

  • Merrymeeting Bay

    by Beginning with Habitat
    At the heart of the Kennebec Estuary lies Merrymeeting Bay, where six rivers draining one-third of the state of Maine converge to form an inland, freshwater, tidal delta.

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  • Cathance River

    by Beginning with Habitat
    With its Abenaki name meaning "crooked river," the Cathance is a roaming 20-mile river whose watershed contains habitats for rare plants, waterfowl, mammals, amphibians, bald eagles, and other flora and fauna.

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  • Chops Creek

    by Beginning with Habitat
    A 100-acre freshwater tidal marsh dominated by American bulrush and wild rice with the highest abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation on Merrymeeting Bay extends along much of Chops Creek.

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  • Eastern River

    by Beginning with Habitat
    Well known as a wintering area for bald eagles, the Eastern River also features numerous rare plants and a freshwater tidal marsh.

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  • Abadagasset Point to Pork Point

    by Beginning with Habitat
    The cove on the north side of Abadagasset Point has a broad, extensive tidal flat of approximately 200 acres with bands of vegetation.

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  • Swan Island

    by Beginning with Habitat
    The site of a small, abandoned town formerly known as Perkins Township, Swan Island is well known for its abundant and often quite visible wildlife, especially nesting bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey.

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  • Lines Island

    by Beginning with Habitat
    Along the southeast side of Lines Island is a 20-acre freshwater tidal marsh with some of the bay's largest populations of rare plants.

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