Fishways are important to allow diadromous fish, that is, fish that live in the ocean, but spawn in fresh water, to reach their upstream spawning habitats. The development of mills throughout Connecticut in the 1800’s resulted in the construction of thousands of dams which prevent diadromous fish from reaching their historic spawning grounds. The installation of fish ladders provides fish with a pathway to navigate around dams, and reach upstream habitat in which to spawn.
The Latimer Brook Fishway is located just north of Route I-95 in East Lyme, CT. The fishway provides upstream passage for thousands of diadromous fish, including alewife and sea-run trout.
The following gallery photos were taken of the 2011 fish run. The fish waiting at the base of the ladder are likely alewife.
