Waits River Culvert Replacements in Groton State Forest, Orange, VT
Culvert Replacements, Waits River, Orange, VT
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This project proposes to replace two proximate culverts on an unnamed tributary to the Waits River. This will open 2 miles of headwater stream (reconnecting 5.7 mi total).
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This project proposes to replace two proximate culverts on the same unnamed tributary to the Waits River and reconnect the remaining two miles of upstream habitat. Supporting work by project partner Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will also be restoring 3.2mi of in- stream woody habitat both in the tributary upstream and downstream of the culverts, but also on the adjacent stream network, amplifying the overall benefit to stream reconnection at this location. This will open 2 miles of headwater stream (reconnecting 5.7 mi total). |
Goal & Objective: Increase connectivity within and among wild Brook Trout catchments;
Complete AOP projects in 45 wild Brook Trout catchments by 2022.
By replacing these two culverts this project will reconnect approximately 2mi of this unnamed
coldwater tributary to the Waits River in a novel catchment (no other AOP work has been done
within the catchment outlined by EBTJV).
The objective of the project is to replace two undersized and perched road-stream crossings,
to ensure those crossings are fully passable to all species and life stages of aquatic life, and
reconnect two miles of upstream habitat to approximately 3.7mi of downstream habitat (and
another 2mi of networked habitat when a third crossing in Groton State Forest is replaced in
3 years).
The project team consists of representatives of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Trout
Unlimited, and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, which all adhere to a high level of
stream crossing standards and design expectations. The two culvert replacements will meet
or exceed the State Stream Crossing Guidelines as well as the USFWS Stream Smart
Standards. While VT Forests, Parks, and Recreation will be providing design and
engineering for the crossings, the project team will review these plans throughout the
process.
VT Fish and Wildlife Department has been regularly monitoring this stream network prior to
stream crossing replacement and in-stream habitat work. They will be able to continue
regular e-fishing surveys in Groton State Forest to monitor changes to the population
biomass, abundance, and age-class distribution. Trout Unlimited will provide regular photo
monitoring and flow monitoring at the road-stream crossing sites to evaluate the hydraulic
capacity of the new structures and ensure no additional erosion, scour, or perching is being
created by the sizing of the structures. Flow monitoring will utilize the USGS Flow Photo Explorer.
Conservation Actions: Conserve and/or increase habitats that support robust wild Brook Trout
populations; Restore and connect suitable habitats adjacent to robust wild Brook Trout
populations
Associated Locations
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Barriers
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