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Spednic Lake & Upper St. Croix River Project
Spednic Lake & St. Croix River preservation deal completed
Foundation partnership buys 3,000 shoreline acres for $2.5M, donates land to state
The New England Forestry Foundation has joined with the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust,
the Province of New Brunswick,
the Maine Department of Conservation and
Department of Inland Fisheries
& Wildlife, and the St. Croix International Waterway Commission
to purchase and conserve forever 50 miles of forested waterfront on Spednic Lake
and the St. Croix River in Maine. This spectacular corridor on the US/Canada
border is recognized internationally for its wildlife, scenic resources and
outstanding backcountry recreation.
A 500-foot-deep zone of protection will preserve the natural undeveloped
character of one of the most pristine stretches of boundary water in eastern
North America. Building upon earlier conservation initiatives by the State of
Maine and the Province of New Brunswick, this project will secure the last
significant unprotected tracts of land on Spednic Lake and the upper St. Croix
River. When complete, almost 70 miles of protected riparian corridor will
support native species and enchant naturalists and recreationalists for
generations to come.
Download the project map here. (235kb PDF file)
 Lake of Solitude
Spednic Lake is one of the largest lakes in Maine and one of only four lakes
over 15,000 acres in the state that remain largely undeveloped. The absence of
development to date has supported one of Maine's last remaining native
landlocked salmon fisheries and some of the best smallmouth bass habitat in the
United States. Its many islands, fjord-like coves and rising, forested shores
offer a stunning setting for fishermen, canoeists and naturalists who ply its
sparkling waters to a silence broken only by the lap of waves and the call of
the loon. Native landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass and other prized fish draw
many repeat visitors to local sporting camps that take pride in their outdoor
heritage, including the guides' continued use of traditional, handcrafted Grand
Lake canoes.
This project will add 15.8 miles to the protected shorelands on
Spednic Lake.
A Heritage Corridor
Located at the eastern edge of the United States-Canada border, the St.
Croix's rich history, scenic beauty, wildlife and recreational resources have
led to its recognition as an international heritage waterway. More than 32
million people live within a day's drive of its shores and each year visitors
from across North America and abroad travel its waters. Careful management and
the form of protection offered by this project will ensure that this semi-remote
wilderness area will remain undeveloped and unspoiled forever.
A Recreationist's Paradise
The upper St. Croix River is one of the most undeveloped major river
corridors in the northeastern United States, offering some of the region's
premiere backcountry canoeing waters. Paddled by nearly 5,000 people each year,
the St. Croix's winding course and near-wilderness setting keep the river
uncongested and parties well-separated. It is a favorite of families, outdoor
camps and others who wish to combine paddling, wildlife viewing and, for many,
overnight camping. The most popular trip is the 20-mile section from Vanceboro
to Loon Bay. With its mix of slow and fast water (class I-II) it is ideally suited
for canoeists of all skill levels.
This project will protect 33.7 miles of
the upper St. Croix River.
Natural Treasures
Spednic Lake and the upper St. Croix give haven to a unique concentration of
fragile and valued natural resources, including rare flora and fauna, old growth
tree stands and an array of migratory birds. The waterway is prime breeding
ground for the state's bald eagle population and a recovering run of atlantic
salmon. Moose, deer, black bear, otter, beaver, loons, herons, waterfowl and a
unique dragonfly all share its shores and waters. Rare and uncommon plants grow
in niche habitats along the banks. Special protection is given to some of these
by an ecological reserve on 11 river islands and a newly created 100 square mile
Protected Area on the New Brunswick side of the lake.
 Flowing through Time
Archeological sites bear witness to over 10,000 years of human history along
Spednic Lake and the St. Croix River. Traditional portage routes and campsites
are still in use today. The St. Croix's productive forests, rich fisheries and
water highway sustained early native people and supported later settlers who
built the communities and resource-based economy that remain the area's
mainstay. Today, the St. Croix valley is home to 23,000 people, including Maine's
Passamaquoddy Tribe. Protecting the waterway corridor will help to secure the
natural and working heritage that these residents share, and continue to make it
available to visitors who come to appreciate its unique character.
For more information, email Whitney
Beals or call
(978) 952-6856.
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Board of Directors
