Amoskeag Fishways Learning and Visitors Center: Manchester's Green Side
On the banks of the Merrimack River in Manchester is the Amoskeag Fishways Learning and Visitors Center, an organization devoted to education about freshwater fish, environmental responsibility and fostering an interest in marine biology among New Hampshire students. The center’s primary focus on the Merrimack River manifests into an interactive exhibit hall on the river’s watershed, historical use of the Amoskeag Falls area and river wildlife.
The story of the learning center begins in 1836, with the construction of the dam at Amoskeag Falls. Because of new legislation recently passed at that time, the builders of the dam included a fish ladder. However, the ladder didn't work properly and fish populations declined rapidly as a result. By 1850, the entire population of salmon native to that part of the Merrimack River had become extinct; populations of American shad, river herring and sea lamprey didn't fare much better.
In 1989, the fish ladder was rebuilt into its current form. This time, the ladder worked and populations have slowly rebounded since then. However, the salmon populations have needed to be bred at the Federal Hatchery in Nashua before being released into the Atlantic Ocean. When the salmon swim up the Merrimack to spawn, hatchery staff catch them in Lawrence, spawn them at the hatchery, and then stock them in the river at the Amoskeag Fishways.
On salmon stocking day, visitors are able to watch hatchery staff stock the salmon at the river, and see the fish swim up the ladder. The ladder rises 54 feet high, with each step one foot higher than the step before it, thus allowing the fish to swim over the Amoskeag Dam to reach their spawning grounds in fresh water. Visitors to the center are able to watch the fish swim up the ladder through the viewing area installed n 1990 that preceded the learning center by a few years.
Among the special events held throughout the year is a Lamprey Appreciation Day in June each year, where visitors are treated to educational events about sea lamprey. There's also a Fish Fest event that allows visitors to learn about all the fish that swim through the Merrimack, and other special events throughout the year. A calendar of the center’s offerings is available at the Amoskeag Fishways website.
During fish-spawning season, from early May to late June, the center is open seven days a week to allow visitors to view Atlantic salmon, shad, river herring and sea lampreys migrating up the fish ladder. Outside of fish season, the center is open six days a week and hosts year-round programs for school groups, families and others interested in learning about the marine life of the Merrimack River.
Posted on Mar 13, 2011 by Matt Delman
