River Pollution and Restoration
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Pollution et Restoration de la Rivière

Auburn, Maine

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The Museum in the Streets

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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.

Comme de nombreuses rivières americaines qui ont permis la Révolution Industrielle, l'Androscoggin possède une histoire complexe. Elle est à une époque considérée comme l'une des dix rivières les plus polluées du pays. Les usines sur ses berges sont en grande partie resposables de sa pollution par leurs rejets qui mêlent eaux usées

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et déchets sulfurés. De ce fait, la peinture s'écaille sur les maison, les poissons meurent, l'argenterie se ternit en un jour et la puanteur se propage sur des kilomètres à la ronde. On dit de la rivière « qu'elle est trop épaisse pour les bateaux et pas assez épaisse pour la charrue ». Le Sénateur Edmund Muskie, natif de Rumford, mène camagne pour fiare voter une loi sur la protection de l'eau en 1972. Aujourd'hui, la rivière est partiellement assaignie, de nombreuses espèces de poissons reviennent et la rivière retrouve une certaine biodiversité qui favorise les activités de loisirs.
 
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),

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021

2. River Pollution and Restoration / Pollution et Restoration de la Rivière Marker

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 North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Development of New Auburn / Le Nouvel Auburn (within shouting distance of this marker); Wabanaki History / Les Wabanaquis (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cities of the Androscoggin (about 300 feet away); Bonney Park (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Bonney Park (about 300 feet away); Lewiston Falls Academy / L'Académie de Lewiston Falls (about 400 feet away); Edward Little House 1827 / La Maison d'Edward Little 1827 (about 400 feet away); Great New Auburn Fire / Le Grand Incendie du Nouvel-Auburn (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.