Batten Kill Watershed Alliance

The Batten Kill Watershed Alliance

Coordinating, educating, and promoting stewardship for the benefit and enhancement of the Batten Kill watershed in New York and Vermont.

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Pig Farm Manchester Slide Invasive Plant Control Scientifc Open House Piekarz Benedict Brook Culvert

Twin Rivers Farm Hi-Brow Farm

Piekarz Manchester Slide Twin Rivers Farm

Miscellaneous

Hi-Brow Farm Project Benedict Brook Culvert

Phase 1 - 2006 Phase 2 - 2007 Extension/Phase 3 - 2008

Ira Allen Inn Planting Bowen Property Planting Conservation Nursery Charlie Wilson's Pictures

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Hi-Brow Farm River Restoration Project
August 2008 The river below Salem NY had jumped its bank and braided. This situation caused considerable erosion and loss of tillable land to the Hi-Brow farm. Additional problems ensued; the river length had shortened causing erosion at a downstream railroad trestle. In addition the river became over widened and shallow. This lack of habitat was detrimental to the trout population.
Aerial view of project site	The plan by the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance and Trout Unlimited was to put the river back into its original channel, improve the habitat in the restored reach while increasing the usable farmland in the valley. The two conservation organizations partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife for help with design and implementation. In order to redirect the flow the riverbank was rebuilt at bank full height. The turn of the river was eased and a rock vane was installed to further reduce the pressure on the bank. The design allowed the river to still access the
flood plane in the reach which will help prevent further erosion at the site and downstream. Future plans include adding additional habitat in the form of large woody debris and increasing depth to the stream channel utilizing natural steam channel design.
Funding was supplied by the Clearwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance. Material was donated by Mike Labas of Labas Slate in Granville NY. Trees and materials were contributed by Hi-Brow Farm. US Fish and Wildlife Partners for Wildlife donated design and implementation engineering as well as equipment operation. Special thanks go out to Trout Unlimited members Art Coleman and Dr. John Braico for their survey work on the site and to Art for being on site during the week. - Greg Cuda, BKWA Chairman		Clearly half of the BK's flow was flowing through the meander's cut-off prior to the project.

Photos from the project construction in the Photo Gallery.