The Friends Slow-the-Flow program provides shoreline stabilization and erosion control services to waterfront properties within the Cobbossee Watershed.  Designed along the lines of similar programs offered by our neighboring Belgrade and China lake regions, Slow-the-Flow utilizes a cost-share approach that provides Cobbossee Watershed residents, businesses and municipalities with design and build services at no charge for projects that ‘slow the flow’ of nutrients and run-off to our waters.

A typical stabilizationproject may consist of planting a “buffer” of plants and shrubs to absorb nutrients, installing rip-rap stone along shoreline sections that are susceptible to wave erosion action, spreading a layer of erosion-control mulch in areas that are heavily eroded or installing waterbars along a dirt roadway or footbath to divert upland run-off. 

Sponsored by G&E Roofing  and Charlie's Motor Malll, 88 projects have been completed on 10 different water bodies since 2003, protecting over 2.5 miles of shoreline – these projects have included the planting of over 1600 shrubs and plants, the installation of over 1650 tons of rip-rap rock and the spreading of nearly 400 yards of erosion-control mulch.

We will be forever grateful to AmeriCorps NCCC program, who sent 30 young adults during the summers of 2003, 2004 and 2005 to the shores of the Cobbossee Watershed to launch this effort.  In 2005, the Friends established a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) consisting of area high school and college students.  Now in its third year, this year’s YCC program has expanded to 14 area students who will work under the leadership of Winthrop High School science teacher Jay Lindsey.  

To see if your property qualifies CONTACT US to schedule an appointment today!