Volunteers filling sandbags for stream restoration project.

Butterfield Brook before restoration.

Culverts on Butterfield Brook before restoration.

Butterfield Brook after culvert removal and reconstruction of channel.

During the summer and fall of 2006, Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge completed a stream restoration project.  The project involved removal of three large culverts at the intersection of Butterfield and Willard Brooks.  The culverts were put in place approximately 50 years ago during Air Force base operations.  The restoration project began at the end of July with the placement of barricades and sandbags to divert the water into one of the three culverts.  Refuge intern Angela Flanagin along with volunteers Devon Cote, Chase Boudreau, and Kelly Ledger aided heavy equipment operator Kirk Cote with sand bag filling and placement for the project.  With help from Bill Jones and Mike Krug of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Mr. Cote removed the culverts, restored the stream bed and re-vegetated the embankment on both sides of the stream. The project cost approximately $1800 in materials.