Cathance River

The Cathance River meanders through Bowdoin, Topsham, and Bowdoinham. The River was once home to the first saw mill in Topsham, and feldspar was milled on its shores into the early 20^th century. With almost no development along the immediate shore, the river provides a unique wilderness-like experience very close to the population centers of Brunswick and Topsham. The lower reaches of the Cathance River lie within the state’s Kennebec Estuary Focus Area of Statewide Significance.

The Cathance River is valued for recreation, offering over 8 miles of public hiking trails along or near its banks, boating, and diverse fishing opportunities. Cold water trout populate its tributaries, while smelt and stripers frequent the tidal reaches. The river’s paddling opportunities may be its best known feature. The upper stretch of the river is an easy flatwater paddle. The 2.5-mile middle section is “a gorgeous class III-IV creek run” according to American Whitewater but should only be attempted by seasoned paddlers who are “stout of heart”. Below the head of tide – or the furthest upstream that the river is affected by tidal fluctuations – the river widens and paddlers can enjoy miles of grassy and forested wetlands and observe birds ranging from osprey and eagle to migratory duck and wading birds.