Brook Trout Habitat Restoration
Monday, January 28, 2008
By: Monty Fischer

Mad River Watershed Sedimentation Reduction Program Launched

The Mad River watershed in Central Vermont has long been a favorite destination for local and visiting anglers. However, the Mad River and its tributaries, especially Mill Brook, suffer from a number of water quality problems, including sedimentation and elevated water temperatures, both of which adversely impact brook trout and their habitat. Within the context of global climate change, these challenges are likely to increase in the future, as predictions have shown the northeastern states will most likely experience more erratic rainstorms of higher intensity. NWF is partnering with Friends of the Mad River to address aquatic habitat improvements resulting from chronic sedimentation from eroding road ditches and lack of buffer in some places. With support from NWF and other partners, the project entails improving the road drainage, enhancing the ditches to eliminate the source of sediment, replacing a bridge, and extending additional road improvements to address all road-related sediment sources.

As this is a demonstration project for aquatic restoration, there are a number of specific tasks that will be instructive for other similar projects elsewhere. The project is estimated to take between 3 to 5 days in 2008. The Town of Waitsfield Road crew will be able to assist with materials delivery through the use of town trucks. An excavator will be contracted for the project. Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Watershed Initiative Program staff and Friends of Mad River’s coordinator will be onsite during the entire project implementation to direct, ensure design plans are followed, and wield a shovel where necessary! The Town of Waitsfield Road Crew will maintain all road improvements, using techniques outlined through the University of Vermont's Better Backroads manual, following their implementation. One of the keys to success is the multi-layered partnerships established to carry-out this work. When completed there will be a restoration blueprint for designing and implementing enhancements for brook trout habitat.