The students in Environmental History of New England: Saco River Edition produced a 3-part podcast series. This third episode deals with river history and pollution.
This episode was created by: Jamison Saunders, Dani Darch, Maxwell Cajdric, Camden Chierichella, Zoe Lambke, Brady Spring, and Connor Boisvert.
It is available at: https://share.transistor.fm/s/60b0d8d7.
We would very much like to thank Broad Reach Adventures(https://broadreachadventures.com/) for their hospitality and for helping us complete the archaeological portion of this course.
A very big thank you to Keith Landry for permission to use his music. You’ll find our theme music, “Into the Light (This Lazy River), on Keith’s Alonetone site. The full album is available at: https://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/playlists/saco-river-pirate/into-the-light-this-lazy-river.
Finally, a huge thanks to Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse (https://woodislandlighthouse.org/) for showing us around the lighthouse. It’s an amazing spot and the tour is utterly fantastic.
References
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Bouvé, E.W. Plan of Lands of Saco Water Power Co. at Saco & Biddeford, ME 1846. 1846. Map F157. Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.
Danforth, R. Fire at Marblehead Boatyard, Biddeford, 1965. May 4, 1965. MMN #31103. MacArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. December 3, 2025.
Dyer Library / Saco Museum Collection. Salmon Falls Dam (Photograph). c. 1900. Local Code 40; Main Memory Network Item #22681. Saco Museum, Saco, York County, Maine. Accessed November 10, 2025.
History of Saco and Biddeford, George Folsom. Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.
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MERC Trash Plant folder, 1970-2009, McArthur Public Library, Newspapers (Misc.)
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Village of Biddeford Maine 1835-1860. 1860. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine.
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Laws, Carl H. The Saco River Corridor The View from the Valley. Saco River Advisory Committee. MSD 0028/April, 1973, 33828. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. Accessed Oct 29, 2025.
Woodlot Alternatives, Inc, 54 Cumberland Street Brunswick, Maine 040111. An Analysis Of Potential Impacts To Wetlands, Wildlife, And Visual/Aesthetic Resources (A Component of The) Spring/Bradbury Alternative Fish Passage Study Cataract Hydropower Project
Saco River, Maine. Central Maine Power Company Environmental & Licensing Department, Edison Drive Augusta, Maine 04336. Nov, 1992. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, York County, Maine. Accessed Nov 12, 2025.