2010 Projects
Hamant Brook Culvert Replacement, Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts
The two leading causes of brook trout habitat degradation in Massachusetts have been identified through the EBTJV as fragmentation by dams and roads. The subwatershed containing Hamant Brook was identified as high impact from dam fragmentation and medium impact from road fragmentation. This project will remove three dams and one impassable culvert, allowing access from mainstem habitat to a coldwater tributary and converting 70% of the project area from impounded to free-flowing. Once complete, the project will open nearly 8 miles of habitat and provide access to more diverse free flowing and coldwater habitats for brook trout and riverine fish species.
Restoring Browns Run Fish Passage, Barr Township, Pennsylvania
This project will open the headwaters of Browns Run, a tributary to the West Branch of the Susquehana River, to native brook trout passage and improve Browns Run brook trout habitat. One dam will be removed on Browns Run to open 1 mile of habitat and reconnect currently fragmented native brook trout populations in the headwaters of the basin.
Restoring Aquatic Organism Passage within Tipton Creek, North Carolina
Tipton Creek is located within the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Area on the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. The entire watershed is in public ownership except for several small private inholdings, one of which is along a middle reach of Tipton Creek. Currently the Forest Service is evaluatingalternatives for future management of the Off-Highway Vehicle Area because of significant resources damage, particularly to streams and resident brook trout populations. This project will be the first of several designed to reconnect and restore brook trout habitat and populations within the Tellico River watershed. It will remove one barrier on Tipton Creek in the Upper Tellico River Watershed to reconnect approximately 4 miles of stream.
Culvert Replacement and Instream Habitat Restoration on Indian Stream, New Hampshire
In 2006, an initial watershed based assessment of coldwater habitat conditions was completed by Trout Unlimited in the Upper Connecticut in New Hampshire and Vermont. In 2008, Trout Unlimited designated the Upper Connecticut as one if its Home Rivers Initiatives, the only one in New England. Trout Unlimited's assessment identified fish habitat problems through the watershed, including lack of riparian habitat, poor instream habitat diversity and complexity, and inadequate stream crossings. This project will initiate the first phase of a long term culvert removal and instream habitat program by replacing four high priority culverts and implementing instream woody habitat restorations in Indian Stream, starting on the East Branch. The culverts to be replaced are on four important brook trout nursery streams: Dry Creek, Johns Brook, Hidden Brook, and Alder Brook. The project will restore 3 miles of habitat on east branch, the largest tributary to Indian Stream.
Restoring Stream Connectivity in the WB Machias River in Maine
Project SHARE and the Service completed a basin wide stream-road crossing and fisheries assessment in the WB Machias River. There are 43 fish bearing road crossings in this subbasin that limit aquatic connectivity. To date, 11 crossing have been replaced and 8 crossings have been decommissioned. Funding has been secured to remove all but two of the remaining barriers. This project will remove one of those last two barriers in the basin, reconnecting approximately 0.5 miles of habitat for brook trout and restore ecological stream function.
Brook Trout Restoration and Expansion in Garth Run, Virginia
This project will restore and improve stream and riparian habitat within a 2,357 foot project area located in the headwaters of Garth Run which was severely impacted by catastrophic flooding that occurred in 1995. Wild brook trout were extirpated as a result of habitat degradation which led to increased water temperatures and a lack of complex habitat. Brook trout were re-introduced in 2008 as part of Virginia's Conservation Strategy as the stream has begun to naturally heal itself. This project will restore 2.3 miles of brook trout habitat.
Batten Kill Restoration Near Eagleville, New York
This project will implement stream restoration at five sites along the Batten Kill in New York using principles of fluvial geomorphology to enhance a total of 2 miles of stream for the purposes of: improving brook trout habitat, removing fish passage barriers, stabilizing and restoring streambanks and riparian areas, increasing large woody debris in the river system, providing demonstration projects for the community, and improving fishing access and recreational opportunities.
Wood Additions into the Sheepscot, Narraguagus, Machias Watersheds, Maine
In 2007, Project SHARE and the Department of Marine Resources Bureau of Sea-Run Fisheries and Habitat and private land owners undertook a "chop and drop" large wood addition project. Wood was added to streams with the intent to increase habitat complexity and salmonid survival. This project expands the large wood treatment locations to include the Sheepscot drainage, along with treatment locations on the Machias, East Machias and Narraguagus River drainages. It adds nine additional large wood treatment sites enhancing approximately 4 miles of stream for brook trout.
Thorn Creek Aquatic Passage Project, Pendelton County, West Virginia
This project will remove the 9 identified fish passage barriers in a 50 square mile wild brook trout watershed in Thorn Creek of the South Branch of the Potomac. These impediments block passage in one or both directions, and serve to sustain an outward migration of brook trout into waters which, currently, are lethally warm for brook trout in typical summer conditions. Removal of the blockages will open over 25 miles of perennial stream to brook trout, improving the long term security of the population. Thorn Creek serves as a brook trout nursery for the upper South Branch of the Potomac.
Expanding Brook Trout in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania
This project will expand suitable habitat in Willow Creek located within Blandon, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Willow Creek is a coldwater fishery that supports one of the most productive wild brook trout populations in the state. This project will restore fish habitat and stream bank stabilization by implementing in-stream habitat enhancement devices in over 5000 feet of the creek. Additionally, over 6 acres of floodplain will be re-vegetated with native trees and shrubs. Local stocking efforts will be shifted to other nearby streams. The project also include an outreach component. Kiosks will be constructed to commemorate the effort and educate future generations. Pamphlets will be distributed to interested citizens.
Hathaway Brook Dam Removal and Stream Restoration in MA
The primary goal of this project is to restore natural stream conditions and stream connectivity within Hathaway Brook, thereby enhancing habitat value for existing aquatic species. One barrier will be removed, restoring access to 3,000 feet of stream. The project will reestablish continuous flow and natural sediment transport regimes, and restore geomorphic processes within the channel.
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