Report on theэCase Study of 25,000 Hidden Drainage Systems
In 2006, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) embarked on a 13-year research project aimed at improving fish passage and restoring aquatic connectivity in Maine. The project, a collaborative effort involving multiple state and federal agencies, non-profits, and Tribes, focused on the assessment of road-stream crossings.
The crew, which initially started as volunteers, eventually grew to include paid summer crews, worked diligently despite challenging weather conditions. They persevered through clouds of blackflies, swarms of mosquitoes, fair weather, and foul weather, as well as heavy rain, taking breaks to ensure the safety and functionality of their equipment when necessary.
In 2018 and 2019, Couraud's crew spent 10-hour days locating and measuring road-stream crossings in Aroostook County. Their work focused on assessing the impact of these crossings on water flow. The project, which lasted for 13 years, covered over 90% of the total road-stream crossings found in Maine.
The project was conducted in collaboration with the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It received significant contributions and partnerships from numerous state and federal agencies, non-profits, and Tribes.
One of the key findings from this long-term effort was the demonstrable ecological and community benefits. For instance, a project on the China Lake outlet stream resulted in the removal or modification of multiple dams and crossings, reconnecting over 4,000 acres of spawning habitat for alewife and blueback herring, increasing available spawning habitat by 50% and 20% respectively. This restoration led to improved river herring populations, supporting local lobster fisheries (since lobstermen use river herring as bait) and enhancing water quality for local communities relying on the lake for recreation and water supply.
Overall, the collaborative work integrating modern fish-passage infrastructure and stream crossing upgrades has contributed to the improved status of river herring stocks in the Gulf of Maine, demonstrating the value of this approach for ecological restoration and community livelihoods.
The assessments covered over 25,000 road-stream crossings, and data from each crossing was recorded for further analysis. Despite the challenging conditions, the teams completed their work, making a significant contribution to the conservation of aquatic life in Maine.
[1] Sources: The Nature Conservancy, Maine Department of Marine Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- In addition to improving fish passage and aquatic connectivity, the 13-year research project by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) also aimed to promote health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, as the crews worked tirelessly in various weather conditions, often for 10-hour days.
- The extensive data collected during the project can also serve as valuable inputs for climate change and environmental-science research, as the project findings have significant implications for not only the conservation of aquatic life, but also for understanding water flow, habitat restoration, and community livelihoods.
