Oxford County Success Stories
(Oxford Field Office)

In the past 20 years, the Sunday River Watershed has received vast amounts of public interest.  This Watershed has been, and continues to be, one of the most rapidly developing watersheds in Oxford County.  This scenic area draws an estimated 500,000 people per year to its ski area, hiking trails, mineral collecting sites, mountain biking trails and swimming holes.  The rural nature of this watershed has changed to become a heavily used recreational area.  However, forestry and agriculture also play an important part in the local economy.

Nearly seven years ago the first locally-led conservation group discussed changes in the watershed that included increased flood damage to river banks and farmland, declining fishery, a shallow and wider river, and the river creating multiple channels.

The locally-led group identified the opportunity to work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service  to provide a high quality planning experience to assist landowners in reaching their natural resources objectives.  The Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District  also received 319 grants to inventory and implement many conservation practices in the watershed.

This new phase of the Watershed plan includes the development of a river restoration plan using the latest fluvial geomorphic techniques as developed by consultant John Paris of Ontario, Canada.  In-stream measures will now complement the many upland conservation activities that have taken place in the last seven years.  A new partnership between the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Maine Department of Transportation will help fund many of these stream restoration measures.

< Back to Features...