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Cupsuptic River Restoration Project

FISHERY INTERIM SUMMARY REPORT SERIES NO. 07-02
JOB NO. F-027
INTERIM SUMMARY REPORT N0. 1  (2001-2007)
SUMMARY

The Cupsuptic River, a tributary to Mooselookmeguntic Lake in the Rangeley chain of lakes in Western Maine, provides habitat for wild brook trout and, to a lesser extent, landlocked salmon.  The lower portion of the river serves as spawning and nursery habitat for Mooselookmeguntic Lake’s salmonid population.

Degradation of the river over a period of many decades from timber harvesting and log driving operations prompted the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to assess the feasibility of brook trout habitat restoration.  In a collaborative project, DIFW and the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association surveyed the river in 1997.  In addition to documenting degraded areas, we conducted a complete biological survey of fisheries habitat.  We concluded that sediment transport was filling in pools that provided important adult brook trout habitat.  In response to these findings, we constructed grade control structures in 2002 in an effort to arrest the downstream migration of sand and gravel.  This report describes construction of the grade control structures and monitoring efforts through 2007. 

Written by Forrest Bonney

For more information, please contact:

Forrest Bonney, Regional Fishery Biologist
689 Farmington Road
Strong, Maine 04983-9419
Telephone: (207) 778-3322 Ext. 22
Email: forrest.bonney@maine.gov