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Hartland Salmon Pool

Hartland, New Brunswick, Canada

Formally Recognized: 2010/02/24

Image taken in 2005 showing the Hartland Salmon Pool as it appears after Mactaquac Dam was built in 1967; Doris E. Kennedy
Hartland Salmon Pool
An undated image showing the internationally-known salmon pool located downtown Hartland. Hundreds of salmon were caught each season until 1967 when the Mactaquac Dam was built.; Doris E. Kennedy
Hartland Salmon Pool
Many fisherman lined the shores during the salmon run. Hartland Salmon Pool is located adjacent to Hartland's Main Street.; Doris E. Kennedy
Hartland Salmon Pool

Other Name(s)

Hartland Salmon Pool
Salmon Pool
Fosse à saumon

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2010/03/29

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Hartland Salmon Pool is located adjacent to and slightly northwest of Main Street in Hartland. It extends from the mouth of the Becaguimec River along the Saint John River to a point just upriver from the Hartland Covered Bridge.

Heritage Value

The Hartland Salmon Pool is designated a Local Historic Place for having been one of the best natural fishing pools anywhere. First Nations people named the pool, "Becaguimec" which means “river of salmon”. During their pioneer years, the first European settlers of the area, the Loyalists, depended on the salmon harvest from this pool for food. Later, during the first half of the 20th century, the pool became internationally renowned as a sports fisherman's paradise. The location of the pool within the town boundaries is unique. In its heyday, local citizens of the town were known to take their lunch hours to fly fish in the famous pool. Very few salmon have been caught in the Hartland salmon since the Mactaquac dam was built in 1967, however many fisherman still line the shores in hopes of catching salmon that have been stocked above the dam.

Source: Hartland Town Hall archives, Hartland Salmon Pool file

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Hartland Salmon Pool include:
- rare instance of a natural, internationally-renowned sport fishing area within municipal town boundaries;
- unique combination of features at this point in the Saint John River that created a prime salmon resting area, including the riverbed contours, an adjacent island, the mouth of a tributary stream (Becaguimec), underwater springs, current patterns, ripples and pools;
- historic salmon harvesting area for First Nations people and later by Loyalists, the first European settlers to the area;
- continued use as a sport fishing site, despite dwindling salmon stocks.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Local Historic Places Program

Recognition Type

Municipal Register of Local Historic Places

Recognition Date

2010/02/24

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1967/01/01 to 1967/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Peopling the Land
People and the Environment
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Sports and Leisure
Peopling the Land
Canada's Earliest Inhabitants

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Environment
Nature Element
Leisure
Sports Facility or Site
Food Supply
Fisheries Site

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Hartland Town Hall, 31 Orser Street, Hartland, NB

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

1983

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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