Androscoggin River

The Androscoggin River separates Brunswick and Topsham. In addition to extensive undeveloped shoreland, the river hosts numerous islands, some conserved, that create scenic backwaters away from the main channel. It is one of the largest rivers flowing into Merrymeeting Bay.

Historically, the Androscoggin River was one of the most polluted in the nation due largely to discharges from textile and paper mills, and was a key inspiration for the Clean Water Act of 1972. The River is much renewed today. It provides important habitat, including bald eagle and great blue heron nesting sites, and great recreational boating and fishing opportunities. Sturgeon are often seen leaping out of the water near the Frank Wood bridge during spawning season. The River and the bridges spanning it are iconic, treasured features of our regional landscape.

Androscoggin River Conservation Properties:

Click an image below to learn more about each property in this conservation focus area.

250th Park

250th Park is a small public park easement on Maine Street in Brunswick across from Fort Andross.

Androscoggin Woods

Androscoggin Woods is a 58-acre parcel that protects 10,000 feet of frontage along the Androscoggin River.

Coombs

The Coombs property is a 24 acre fee property (owned by the Land Trust) on River Road in Brunswick.

Cow Island

Cow Island is a 58-acre island owned by the Land Trust in the Androscoggin River.

Simpson Farm

Simpson Farm is a 36 acre easement  property of meadows, mixed forest, and stream floodplain on River Road in Brunswick.

Smart Property

The Smart Property is a 3.2 acre property on the banks of the Androscoggin River, a few blocks from the heart of downtown Topsham. It has been the home of the Town Landing Trail since 2016, and was conveyed to BTLT for permanent protection in 2018.

Androscoggin River Resources at a glance:

Recreation

Land-based Recreation

  • Trails
  • Hunting

Water-based Recreation

  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Boating

Traditional Land Uses

Agriculture

Forestry

Ecological

  • WITHIN FOCUS AREA OF STATEWIDE ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Kennebec Estuary)

Rare Natural Communities

  • Freshwater Tidal Marsh
  • Silver Maple Floodplain Forest

Significant Wildlife Habitat

  • Tidal Wadingbird and Waterfowl Habitats
  • Inland Wadingbird and Waterfowl Habitats
  • Significant Vernal Pools
  • Deer Wintering Areas

Rare Animal Species

  • Bald Eagle
  • Cobweb Skipper
  • Tidewater Mucket

Rare Plant Species

  • Spongy Arrowhead
  • Dryland Sedge
  • Tidal Spikerush

Agricultural Lands

  • Open fields, active farms

Notable Landscape Features

  • Coldwater fisheries: Atlantic Salmon, Eastern Brook Trout, Atlantic Sturgeon, Short-nosed Sturgeon
  • Grassland Habitat
  • Heron Colonies