Mad and Dog River Fish Recovery Projects

The Mad and Dog Rivers are two important fisheries in the Winooski River Watershed that were heavily impacted by Tropical Storm Irene. Post-Irene stream surveys conducted by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife show that wild trout populations in these streams were reduced to 33-58% of pre-flood levels. Fish are a resilient species and deal with flooding on an annual basis. However, their recovery after an event like this will be slow and laborious. Population recovery can only occur if habitat conditions are in place to support these biological processes.

In an effort to assist in wild trout recovery, the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD) implemented a three-part project in these watersheds with funding from the Vermont Watershed Grant (WG) and the Vermont Community Foundation Lake Champlain and Tributaries Grant (VCF-Tribs). WNRCD worked with multiple partners to complete this project, including: the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Department, the Friends of the Mad River, the Friends of the Dog River, Trout Unlimited and community volunteers.

To achieve fish recovery goals, the project was implemented in three phases: assessment, prioritization and implementation. Due to the scale of impacts from Tropical Storm Irene across these two watersheds, WNRCD wanted to be sure that limited recovery funds could be used in areas that had the greatest need and chance for success. By identifying and assessing areas of significant habitat degradation, WNRCD was able to develop priorities for restoration activities. In addition, the assessment information was used to educate the community about watershed conditions, fish populations and restoration efforts.

WNRCD successfully implemented a strategic restoration plan in the Mad and Dog River Watersheds. The restoration projects implemented provide a great benefit to the watershed by improving habitat for native trout recovery, and reducing sediment input into the watershed. Over the long term, this assessment work will provide valuable information to the community. The assessments identified important restoration priorities for additional work in these watersheds. WNRCD was also able to engage local community members in educational workshops in order to share important information about stream ecology, restoration and fish habitat.

During Phase One of the project, WNRCD gathered key partners with expertise in local watershed issues, fish biology and stream morphology to complete a desk review of tributaries for further assessment and study. In consultation with partners, WNRCD developed a rapid habitat assessment framework adapted from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual and the Reach Habitat Assessment Protocol developed for Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources in 2008. This assessment framework was used on specific reaches identified as part of the assessment plan. Crews composed of WNRCD staff, partners, and volunteers walked several major tributaries to the Mad and Dog Rivers, including Cox Brook, Union Brook, Stony Brook, Sunny Brook, Lincoln Brook, Bradley Brook, Mill Brook, and Clay Brook. In 200-foot segments, the crews used a scoring sheet to complete a rapid assessment of physical habitat characteristics and documentation of large woody debris, bank stability, riparian cover, bed patterns, and passage barriers where feasible.

During Phase Two of the project, WNRCD developed a prioritization structure for recovery efforts based on rapid assessment data. WNRCD staff compiled and analyzed the assessment data; habitat characteristics were scored and weighted with variables grouped into four major habitat areas: sediment, aquatic, channel and riparian. The analysis resulted in the identification of priority reaches in each of the assessed tributaries. From the assessment, four tributaries stood out as implementation priorities: Cox Brook, Chase Brook, Union Brook and Sunny Brook. Priority reaches for restoration were identified along each of these tributaries.

Phase Three of the project included the implementation of restoration projects and outreach efforts. WNRCD implemented at least one restoration activity and one outreach activity in the form of a workshop in both the Mad and Dog Watersheds.

Mad River Watershed:

In the summer of 2012, WNRCD staff and partners visited priority reaches identified through the assessment to identify potential implementation projects. WNRCD worked with private landowners at 48 Mt Ellen Road, Fayston, along Chase Brook in the Mad River Watershed, to remove a dam that was identified as a barrier to fish passage. The dam removal was coordinated with stream engineer Patrick Ross from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) and completed on September 20, 2013. The dam removal and subsequent placement of large boulders eliminated the large drop and created a more natural and passable segment suitable for fish habitat. WNRCD worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to sample fish before and after the dam removal. The clipped fish were not found when the sampling was completed post dam removal. On September 30, 2014, WNRCD staff held a workshop with local elementary school children to sample fish and plant native shrubs along the bank to help restore the where the construction and excavation took place. The children learned about the importance of maintaining and restoring fish habitat and the important connections between protecting riparian areas and the health of instream habitat.

Dog River Watershed:

WNRCD staff worked with partners and private landowners to identify a project location along Union Brook, a tributary to the Dog River. The property at 879 Union Brook Road in Northfield was part of a priority reach identified in the assessment process. A private dam was removed in September of 2010 from this site. Shortly after removal, a major flood occurred the following October, sending significant sediment downstream and causing additional erosion and head cuts to the walls surrounding the once ponded area. Impacts from Tropical Storm Irene caused further damage to the site. The damage to this site halted the fish monitoring activities by the USFWS. Originally, WNRCD and its partners believed the site would need extensive instream work for stabilization. After a group visit to the dam removal site with State and Federal biologists including Rich Kirn (USFWS), Gretchen Alexander (VT DEC), Madeline Lyttle (USFWS) and Jamie Masterson (USFWS) on March 6, 2014, it was recommended to WNRCD to proceed with riparian restoration and that instream restoration work was not necessary. The biologists stated that over time the site had recovered to a more natural state, but it would benefit from a riparian buffer planting along the stream where there is very little vegetation. A one-acre riparian buffer was planted along Union Brook at 879 Union Brook Road in Northfield on May 6, 2015 by the Intervale Conservation Nursery planting crew. The crew planted 240 native trees and shrubs selected for their success and ability to thrive in the natural plant community of the site and installed 315 native live willow stakes. The buffer is a minimum of 40 feet, stretching to 90 feet in some areas.

WNRCD worked with USFWS to lead a community workshop in the Dog River Watershed to teach landowners how to create and install live willow stakes. The workshop was held at the site of the buffer planting along Union Brook. Nine community members attended the workshop held on May 2, 2015. Community members learned about willow regeneration and its important role in river restoration for fish habitat, stream stability, flood attenuation and wildlife habitat. The workshop participants harvested and installed approximately 65 live willow stakes from local sources on the property.

The WNRCD thanks our funders and partners for their efforts and support.

To learn more about restoration projects and water quality protection within the District, please visit: www.winooskinrcd.org