The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is happy to share the completion of 21 river restoration projects in 14 towns throughout the watershed in NH, VT, MA, & CT in 2024.
These river restoration projects have helped increase flood resiliency in local communities, and improved water quality and access to spawning grounds for native fish and other organisms. Funding for the projects came from federal and state agencies, foundations, and CRC donors, and were implemented with the support of dedicated project partners listed below.
Completed Restoration Projects:
3 old dam removals in N. Stratford (NH), Westminster (VT), and Shutesbury (MA)
1 culvert replacement in the Nulhegan Wildlife Refuge, Brunswick (VT)
1 floodplain restoration project in Plymouth (VT)
2 strategic wood addition projects with Redstart Inc. in Corinth (VT) and Topsham (VT)
14 riparian buffer plantings with 7,331 trees planted over 13.8 acres in NH, VT, and CT
“These restoration projects require significant planning and funding, as well as an understanding of ecological principles and cooperating landowners” said Rebecca Todd, Executive Director at CRC. “We’re grateful for the collaboration it takes to make this happen and are thrilled to see meaningful restoration in our shared watershed.”
River restoration projects play a vital role in the ongoing stewardship of the Connecticut River and tributaries. New events such as flooding, coupled with historic challenges such as old dams, fragmented habitats, and erosion lead to a range of environmental strategies implemented by CRC and partners to continue fostering cleaner, healthier, more resilient rivers. In addition to CRC’s other work related to advocacy, water quality monitoring, and community science, these projects help make a tangible difference for expanded fish habitat and safer river communities.
Dam Removal & Culvert Upgrades
There are over 3,000 dams in the Connecticut River watershed, many of which are obsolete. An additional 44,000 stream crossings (bridges and culverts) are undersized. Not only are these obstructions no longer serving their intended purpose or being maintained, but they also prevent fish passage and habitat connectivity for wildlife, and result in lower water quality downstream.
In 2024 CRC worked with local, state and federal partners to remove three old dams that were blocking fish passage for native species (brook trout and sea lamprey) in three states (NH, VT & MA). These projects will restore water quality, reconnect native fish habitat, and lower flood elevation levels to protect local communities from the risks of severe flooding. You can read more about the Blake Higgins dam removal project in Vermont. An old culvert on the Yellow Branch of the Nulhegan River, within the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, was also replaced with a new bridge. The new bridge connects road access while restoring natural stream function for fish passage and improving flood resiliency.
Floodplain Restoration
The Flaster floodplain restoration at Pinney Hollow Brook in Plymouth, VT, included removing an artificial berm so that future high flows can spread out and slow down. By increasing flood storage capacity during storm events, the resulting floodplain will reduce potential damage to infrastructure, help limit sedimentation of aquatic habitat and improve natural river functions.
Strategic Wood Addition
CRC works with Redstart Inc. and landowners in the greater Upper Valley area (VT/NH) to create habitat and improve water quality in small headwater streams in the Connecticut River watershed. Felled trees are secured in place at specific intervals and groupings based on state and federal guidelines. Previous projects have resulted in a three-fold increase in brook trout populations!
In 2024, CRC and Redstart finished implementing two strategic wood addition projects on 1.39 miles of the West Branch of the Ompompanoosuc River in Corinth VT, and 5.25 miles in Topsham VT, to create habitat for native brook trout and other aquatic organisms.
Riparian Buffer Plantings
Buffer projects involve planting native trees and shrubs to create a vegetation zone between developed land and waterways, thereby helping to control erosion and slow the flow of water during flood events. CRC’s riparian buffer planting projects in 2024 resulted in 7,331 native trees and shrubs being planted in 14 towns in VT, NH, and CT; bringing CRC's total trees planted since 2011 to 97,186. We look forward to planting our 100,000’th tree in 2025!
Here is a summary of just one of these planting projects:
In November 2024, 695 native trees and shrubs were planted in Newfane, VT, at Green Mountain Conservancy's Deer Run Nature Preserve with 13 volunteers, 2 AmeriCorps members, and 3 crew members from Long View Forest Inc. The trees were planted in a 50-foot-wide buffer along the West River at an old hayfield where we attempted to replicate the species occurring in a sugar maple floodplain forest (species included sugar maple, river birch, red oak, white oak, sycamore, box elder, and others).
We also planted a 35-foot-wide buffer of lower growing shrubs in the utility right of way with high wildlife value (spice bush, northern arrowwood, American cranberry bush, wild raisin, witch hazel, and dogwoods). We wanted to increase habitat diversity in both composition and structure and chose species to enhance the variety and abundance of food sources for birds and insects.
Buffer planting will also improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and help bank stability over time! We worked with VELCO and Green Mountain Power to make sure the planting wouldn't interfere with their powerline maintenance needs. Thanks to funding from the Watersheds United Vermont Woody Buffer Block Grant, and to PUR Projet for helping to make these plantings happen.
River Restoration Partnerships
CRC’s work would not be possible without the help of many federal, state and local agencies, local businesses and landowners, and other non-profit organizations who help make these projects a success.
In 2024, these partners include American Rivers, Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee, City of Greenfield, Green Mountain Conservancy, Intervale Conservation Nursery, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, New England Wetland Plants, Northwoods Stewardship Center, Passumpsic Valley Land Trust, Redstart Inc., Shutesbury Conservation Commission, Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge/Nulhegan Basin, The Nature Conservancy, The Orianne Society, Trout Unlimited, Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Agency of Transportation, and Vermont River Conservancy, as well as private landowners, local businesses, and project contractors.
In addition, our funders include our generous CRC donors, Bingham Trust, Conservation Alliance, Davis Conservation Foundation, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service NH, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, PUR Projet, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service/National Fish Passage Program, U.S. Forest Service, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Watersheds United Vermont, and the Wiederhold Foundation.
To learn more, you can visit our river restoration and dam removal pages, or sign up for email updates to hear about new projects in the upcoming field season!