Rendering / Courtesy Main Street Skowhegan
Skowhegan River Park construction would include a boardwalk.
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Skowhegan is a step closer to building Maine’s first whitewater park
Rendering / Courtesy Main Street Skowhegan
The park will include adjustable wave-shaping technology.
Maine’s first whitewater park could position Skowhegan as a regional outdoor recreation hub.
The park cleared its final environmental permitting requirements this week, allowing Main Street Skowhegan to begin mobilizing for construction, according to a news release.
“With permitting complete, we’re one step closer to building a year-round outdoor recreation destination on the Kennebec River — and we’re celebrating the best way we know how: by getting people outside to experience the site firsthand,” said Kristina Cannon, president and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan and project manager for the Skowhegan River Park.
The project received its final National Environmental Policy Act permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its Natural Resources Protection Act permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
“Our project team has been working with these agencies for three years, which has delayed construction,” said Cannon.
But the project is short of the money needed to get the project going. Main Street Skowhegan secured public and private investment, including a $4.89 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration, but additional support is needed to complete the project due to rising construction costs associated with permitting and timeline delays.
“We’re actively in conversation with several funders and remain optimistic about closing the gap,” said Cannon.
Main Street Skowhegan won't know the precise gap until the project has been priced out by a contractor.
Natural gorge
The project is divided into phases. With federal and state environmental permits in hand, along with a total of $6.1 million so far, upland construction could begin in early 2026 and in-river construction mid-July, Cannon told Mainebiz.
The cost estimate for the first phase isn’t available yet.
Main Street Skowhegan is working with Denver.-based McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group; VHB, an engineering firm based in Watertown, Mass., with Maine offices in Augusta, South Portland and Westbrook; and Sargent Corp. in Orono.
Image / Courtesy Main Street Skowhegan
Project site.
The vision has expanded from just a whitewater park in a local gorge to include improved access to the Kennebec River on both banks, a 1,000-foot boardwalk riverfront boardwalk connecting the commercial district to the gorge with new gathering spaces and an enhanced, accessible four-season trail system.
The gorge is a natural feature, with steep, rocky banks, of the Kennebec River as it flows through the downtown area.
Wave-shaping
Whitewater waves are currently present in the gorge and there’s ample river flow to enhance them and to create three whitewater features along a 3,000-foot stretch. Each will have a drop of 1.5 to 2 feet and a calm water area. There will be a variety of flow levels for kayakers, surfers, stand-up paddleboarders, bodyboarders, tubers and others.
Once construction is complete, Skowhegan will have the only adjustable wave in the Northeast, using a type of river surf wave technology called the WaveShaper, according to the project website.
The technology will provide consistent flow year-round and is expected to attract regional and national whitewater paddling competitions.
Photo / Courtesy Main Street Skowhegan
Main Street Skowhegan provided this photo, showing an adjustable wave in Bend, Oregon’s whitewater park, to illustrate its project.
Construction will include site restoration, terraced seating on the southern bank of the gorge and improved river access via a foot trail, an ADA access ramp and a set of stairs on river left that from the downtown area.
Workforce development
The project is expected to be a catalyst for workforce development, including an outdoor career program that provides hands-on training and experiential learning, resulting in certifications and college credit.
The project is in keeping with the Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program launched in 2019 by Main Street Skowhegan. The program provides free outdoor programming, gear and guided experiences to residents of all ages. Local youth have engaged in whitewater kayaking and mountain biking clinics, gear library access and guided adventures.
Established in 2005, Main Street Skowhegan is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization focused on the town’s revitalization. According to a 2024 economic analysis, its programs support more than 80 jobs annually, generate over $2.2 million in earnings and drive $6.1 million in local sales. Initiatives include business incubation, outdoor recreation development and infrastructure projects like the Skowhegan River Park and riverfront boardwalk and the Kitchen at 185.
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