Boating, Fishing, and Travel Information for Newcastle, ME

A small-craft launching ramp is on the east bank just below the bridge. The town landing and municipal parking lot are adjacent to the launching ramp. Anchorage in 11 feet, soft bottom, is available off the landings.
A boatyard, on the west bank in the cove below Jacks Point, builds craft up to 35 feet long. The yard has a marine railway that can haul out craft up to 35 feet in length at high water for hull and engine repairs, or dry open or covered winter storage. Marine supplies are available; gasoline and diesel fuel can be obtained by truck. The float and the marine railway dry at low water.
Navigation:
Click the “Map View” button above to see a chart of this harbor.
Newcastle on the west bank and Damariscotta on the east bank of the Damariscotta river, about 14 miles above the mouth of the river, are connected by the Damariscotta River Bridge (U.S. Route 1 bypass).
The entrance to Damariscotta River is about 3.2 miles west-southwestward of Pemaquid Point Light and 1.3 miles northeastward of Ram Island Light. The tidal current is strong. Although some of the dangers are marked by buoys, strangers in anything but small craft should not pass through or above The Narrows at Fort Island.
The channel of the river is crooked. In many places it is very narrow because of the constricting islands and ledges. For a distance of 11 miles above the mouth of the river a least depth of 20 feet may be carried in the channel, although there are many unmarked 16- to 18-foot spots on each side of the channel. Above this point the water shoals to 10 feet just below the town of Damariscotta.
The channel had a controlling depth of 9 feet in 1958 and for 2 miles south of the Damariscotta-Newcastle Bridge is bordered with mudflats on both sides; care should be exercised in piloting. Above the bridge, navigation is impossible except at high-water slack and with local knowledge due to the rapids and falls at Damariscotta Mills.