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Muddy River Paddle
Friday, July 17, 2026: 4:00-6:00 pm
Topsham, Mainecall Ed Friedman at 666-3372 to pre-register and for location
The Muddy River
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay kicks off their 2026 Summer Outside Series Friday July 17th with a paddle excursion on the tidal Muddy River in Topsham. The trip is led by Ed Friedman and is scheduled from 4:00-6:00 pm. Preregistration is necessary with Ed at 666-3372. Further details are also available from him.
The group will paddle leisurely up the meandering Muddy on an incoming tide allowing exploration of nooks and crannies not accessible at low tide. All boats must have waterproof flotation and be at least 12 feet long. PFDs must be worn at all times on the water.
The Muddy 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). Likely wildlife sightings include ospreys and eagles. Herons, muskrats, and beavers also call this place home.
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, Insects & Other Natural Wonders will be on August 3rd from 4:00-6:00 pm in Brunswick and led by Kathy Claerr. 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.
Sarah Stapler