For several years, the Friends have been involved in the development and implementation of several corridor plans. Corridor plans are based on stream geomorphic assessment data that characterizes a river's physical attributes and conditions. The plans provide general recommendations and identify specific actions that will increase property and infrastructure protection and maintain or restore the ecological functions and economic values of the river system.
Friends have led or co-led several projects in the Winooski.
What is a Stream Geomorphic Assessment?
Nearly every stream and river in the state of Vermont is undergoing change. Sometimes these changes are natural or imperceptible. Other times, and more often, streams and rivers are adjusting to channel, flood plain, or watershed changes imposed in years past by human activity. Understanding the natural tendencies of a stream, its current condition, and what changes may be anticipated in the future is invaluable to making sound protection, management, and restoration decisions.
A stream geomorphic assessment is systematic approach to understanding the forces impacting a particular stretch of a stream and how to best manage and protect the stream for multiple uses. The SGA examines includes factors that may be influencing the natural variations in the flow of the river; including dams, culverts, bridges, mining of gravel, eroding river banks, development of impervious surfaces (buildings, parking lots) in the corridor. This holistic view will allow for more effective projects to be developed on the river.
In most cases, an SGA begins with a remote sensing phase, often referred to as Phase 1. This phase involves the collection of data from topographic maps and aerial photographs, from existing studies, and from very limited field studies, called “windshield surveys.” The Phase 1 remote sensing techniques allow for large watersheds to be assessed within a few months time. The Phase 1 assessment is used to flag problem reaches and to determine where to pursue more extensive field studies in Phase 2. In Phase 2, the field assessment phase, field data is collected at the reach or sub-reach scale. The Corridor Plan identifies strategies and specific projects for all of the Phase 2 reaches.
You can find more detailed information including the State protocols at:
www.vtwaterquality.org/rivers/htm/rv_geoassess.htm
How is a Corridor Plan used?
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