Recreation Studies & Facility Design
Sappi, S.D. Warren Recreation Plan/Recreation Summary
SAPPI, S.D. Warren Company owns and operates the Eel Weir Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2984) at the outlet of Sebago Lake. Sebago Lake and the Eel Weir Project dam provide storage and flow regulation for seven downstream hydroelectric projects on the Presumpscot River. Sebago Lake, a natural lake at the head of the Presumpscot River, is a 12-mile-long reservoir, with over 100 miles of shoreline encompassing a surface area of 29,184 acres.
Devine Tarbell & Associates, Inc.’s (DTA) staff conducted two recreation studies on Sebago Lake for the Eel Weir Project relicensing. These studies included establishing contacts with federal, state, and private recreation providers in the area and cataloging recreational use data from these sources over a five-year period.
The purpose of the Recreation Study was to identify recreational use, recreational sites, recreation resources, estimate current recreational use, and assess the adequacy of existing public recreation sites to serve future recreational needs. The current recreational sites in Sebago Lake study area were recorded and mapped into a consolidated digital database utilizing GPS and GIS. SD Warren used the information from these recreation studies to support their relicensing effort.