Auburn in Androscoggin County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
River Pollution and Restoration
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Pollution et Restoration de la Rivière
Auburn, Maine
| — | The Museum in the Streets® | — |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021
1. River Pollution and Restoration / Pollution et Restoration de la Rivière Marker
As with many American rivers that fueled the Industrial Revolution, the Androscoggin has a complex history. It was once considered one of the "Top Ten" most polluted rivers in the country. The paper mills along the river accounted for the majority of the total pollution with discharges of anything from sewage to sulfite. As a result, paint peeled off houses, fish died, household silverware tarnished overnight, and the smell traveled miles. The river was said to be "too thick to paddle, too thin to plow." Rumford native Senator Edmund Muskie spearheaded passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972. As a result, the river has been partially restored, many fish populations have returned, and the river once again offers wildlife habitat and opportunities to enjoy recreational activities.
this page online
Erected 2019 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number A11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Auburn-Lewiston, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.
Location. 44° 5.582′ N, 70° 13.507′ W. Marker is in Auburn, Maine, in Androscoggin County. It can be reached from Auburn Riverwalk 0.1 miles north of Main Street (Maine Route 136), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 256 Main St, Auburn ME 04210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021
2. River Pollution and Restoration / Pollution et Restoration de la Rivière Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 311 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
