The canal was built to around 1790 to connect the Kennebec River with the New Meadows River, facilitating downstream transportation of logs, “Lumber and Masts…directly into Casco Bay and to Falmouth without going to sea or running the hazard of going down that rapid torrent, the main Stream of the Kennebeck,” (from the petition to the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for permission to cut a canal from the head of the New Meadows River into Merrymeeting Bay, dated January 1, 1786).
The guided 2.5-mile scenic hike (one way) is only possible when the water is frozen and will take approximately 2 hours. Meet across from the boat launch to the New Meadows Lake on Old Brunswick Road in Bath- visit www.kennebecestuary.org for a map of the meeting location. Participants are urged to bring snow shoes, depending on the snow cover. Rides are available back to the starting point, or participants can return on foot via road or the canal.
For more information and to confirm that conditions are appropriate check the KELT website www.kennebecestuary.org. The hike will be rescheduled if the ice is not thick enough to walk on and the new date will be advertised on the KELT website.
The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is a membership supported organization dedicated to protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Kennebec Estuary. It maintains nine preserves for public enjoyment and has protected 2,668 acres of land since founding in 1989. FMI visit www.kennebecestuary.org or call (207) 442-8400.
Photo credit: Cheri Brunault, KELT Staff
Caption: Hikers snowshoe along the frozen, snow covered Peterson Canal in 2015.