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Cathance River Paddle
Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Bowdoinham, Maine
Contact: Michelle Moody at 406-5221
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay kicks off their 2025 Summer Outside Series Thursday July 10th with a paddle excursion on the tidal Cathance River in Bowdoinham and Topsham. The trip is led by Michelle & Stan Moody and is scheduled for 12:30-2:30 pm on the 10th. Paddlers will depart from the Bowdoinham Town Landing. Preregistration is necessary with Michelle at 406-5221. Further details are also available from her.
The group will paddle leisurely up the Cathance River on an incoming tide towards Topsham but gunk-holing along the way where participants might even have a chance for a swim while exploring nooks and crannies off the main stem. The tide will assist in both directions. All boats must have waterproof flotation and be at least 12 feet long. PFDs must be worn at all times on the water.
The Cathance is one of six rivers flowing into Merrymeeting Bay, an ecologically important freshwater tidal riverine inland delta of international importance draining nearly 40% of Maine. The Bay supports twelve species of diadromous fish including striped bass, American eel, Atlantic salmon, two types of sturgeon and various river herring. It is a feeding and breeding ground for migrating waterfowl, and home to a number of endangered and globally rare plants including Eaton’s bur marigold (Bidens eatonii) , estuary bur marigold (Bidens hyperborea), spongy arrowhead (Sagittaria calycina ssp. spongiosa), Parker’s pipewort (Eriocaulon parkeri), and Long’s bittercress (Cardamine longii), all found on the Cathance. Likely wildlife sightings include ospreys, eagles, and sturgeon, who jump clean out of the water. Herons, muskrats, and beavers also call this place home as does the state endangered redfin pickerel which has only been found in the Bay area and in Phippsburg.
FOMB works to protect and improve the Bay through land conservation, education, research and advocacy. Their Summer Outside! series is the warm weather counterpart to the popular Winter Speaker Series. Events are usually free and open to the public. Their next outing will be a Tree Walk on August 24th from 4:00-6:00 pm in Bowdoinham led by Cathy Reynolds. Please call Ed Friedman at 666-3372 to pre-register and for location.
To receive more information about FOMB’s programs call Ed Friedman at 666-3372. The full Summer Outside! schedule is on the web at: www.fomb.org
Watercolors by
Sarah Stapler
Sarah Stapler