A couple of weeks ago the Houlton Pioneer Times ran a “From Our Files” news item from 100 years ago that “Dewey Hersey (Littleton) who has been at work at the Milliken Lumber Co., is at home waiting for rain, the water being so low that lumber cannot be floated to the mill.”
In the 19th and 20th centuries, many rivers in Maine, including some tributaries and portions of the Meduxnekeag River, were straightened and wood and boulders removed in-stream and along the banks for ease of transporting logs during annual log drives.
Today, those same rivers and streams continue to adjust from past human activities and affect not only aquatic habitat but fishermen as well. Effects include a lack of deep pools that create those locally famous “fishing holes” and the gravel beds necessary for fish spawning. Driving by the river this summer, one had to wonder about the poor fish and how they were surviving in such low water, especially in areas already known to be poor fish habitat.
Along with the recent October downpours, habitat has improved for trout (did you know that 98 percent of the brook trout population is solely in Maine?). If anyone noticed an excavator and articulated rock truck in the middle of the Meduxnekeag this summer between the Lowery and Covered bridges and wondered if someone had lost their marbles I am here to assure you that it was part of a larger collaborative stream restoration project.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians hired “stream designer” John Field and local contractor Bill Dunbar to strategically place large boulders and trees at predetermined points in the river. Aside from the once-in-a-lifetime coolness factor of doing a job like this, Bill Dunbar is proud of the work that was done.
As the project progressed, Bill told me he learned a lot from John Field as to the “why’s” of the importance of stream flow and its effect on a river’s ecosystem, coming to understand and believe in the work that was being done. The stream restoration project not only provides naturalized fish habitat, but uses the boulders and trees to create ripples that add oxygen to the water, helping the water from heating up, a requirement for the native brook trout’s survival.
Forced to postpone the project last year due to high water levels, 2014 gave two solid weeks of sunshine to complete the stream restoration. HBMI obtained funding through various sources, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Dunbar Construction took environmental safety precautions such as using bio-degradable oil and carrying emergency spill kits. At the end of the project he was thankful none were needed and expressed great relief for a smoothly executed job. Abnormal low water levels also worked in the project’s favor.
Sharri Venno, environmental planner for HBMI, was thrilled with the project’s outcome and would love to continue at other targeted areas highlighted for poor fish habitat. The environmental staff’s long-term vision is salmon restoration but in the meantime, the river is being improved for native trout. When I asked Sharri if there were any surprises for her, she told me that she was really amazed with how natural it looked. The boulders looked like they had been there forever. Bill agreed and added, “Oh yeah, it was fun.”
Angie Wotton loves her work as district manager for the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. She also raises pastured pork and vegetables with her husband on their small West Berry Farm in Hammond. She can be reached 532-9407 or via email at angela.wotton@me.nacdnet.net.
