Waldo County Success Stories
(Belfast Field Office)

The Ducktrap River Watershed

Over the past several years a small intermittent tributary channel has been rapidly eroding a hillside and discharging the sediment into the Ducktrap River.  During storm and runoff events it has caused a large amount of silt, sand and gravel to be deposited directly into the area of the river that contains a critical area for Atlantic salmon spawning.  When large amounts of sediment from the channel are deposited in a river, it causes a reduction in the quality of habitat for cold water fish and the insect population that they eat, and it suffocates the salmon eggs. 

Through the collaborative efforts of the Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a $100,000 Watershed Improvement Financial Assistance Partnership grant was received to restore the channel and prevent further sedimentation in the spawning beds in the river.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service provided conservation technical assistance throughout the project.

The goal of the project was to protect habitat in the Ducktrap River for federally-endangered Atlantic Salmon and other cold water species by stabilizing the eroding portions of the tributary channel, while causing the least possible disturbance to the surrounding area and leaving the channel as close as possible in form and function to a natural channel of the same size and type.

This project used a couple of innovative techniques.  The first and most widely utilized of these was encapsulated soil channel sides, allowing for a substantial reduction in the number of rocks used and site disturbance.  The second technique used was to bring the channel down steep grades by way of a series of small pools and steps, instead of in a straight chute.  This will help the channel to function naturally, increasing its habitat value and maintaining a more natural nutrient and sediment transportation process.

The project appears to have corrected a substantial threat to cold-water fisheries habitat in the Ducktrap River in a manner that allows natural processes and maintains habitat values.  

Boat Ramp Stream Crossing Completed in Unity

It has long been Bob Elwell’s dream to restore the segment of Mussey Brook running through his farm to what he remembers as a young man.  Back then, it was a stream surrounded by a wooded riparian area.  Over the years, the trees have been cut and the cows were allowed to graze right to the stream with direct access to the stream.  Numerous bare soil areas and cattle paths leading into and out of the stream became established along the stream banks.  Mussey Brook is a tributary to Unity Pond, a waterbody on the Department of Environmental Protection's list of lakes most at risk.  Bob worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to obtain Continuous Conservation Reserve Program funding and technical know how to develop a stream crossing and restore the riparian area along a 900-foot section of the stream.

A stream crossing was needed to allow cows access to pasture on the other side of the stream.  Because of the steepness of the sides and amount of traffic, traditional gravel with geotextile fabric might not work.  The State of Maine has long used bolt together, sectional, precast concrete boat ramps for accessing water by vehicles and boat trailers. 

Before installation of the boat ramp panels, the land surface was first graded and smoothed.  Geotextile fabric was laid on the surface and over topped with sand.  The panels are put in place and bolted together such that the panels are hinged which provides a lot of flexibility.  The boat ramp system extends from level ground on one side of the stream, down the bank, across the stream, and up the bank to level ground on the other side.  The boat ramps were installed slightly below the original stream bottom.  A thin layer of stream bed material has covered the boat ramps giving the stream bed a natural appearance.  Small fish were seen swimming across the boat ramps during a site visit in July. 

A two-strand electric fence has been installed on each side of the crossing to confine cows to the crossing.   The stream banks on both sides have been fenced off.  The stream bank has become re-vegetated.  About 600 spruce and red pine were planted along the stream banks to re-establish the riparian buffer along with natural re-vegetation. 

No longer do cows have free access to the stream and stream banks. No longer do the cows contaminate the stream with manure and sediment.  The fenced-in boat ramp crossing allows cows to cross the stream without causing stream bank and water quality degradation.  In just one year’s time, this project has resulted in the stream banks becoming re-vegetated with grass and herbaceous plants.  Small trees are now growing to recreate the riparian forest buffer present many years ago.  The water in Mussey Brook is now cleaner.

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