River Watch Teams work for healthy waterways Fresh, clean water is one of the world’s most precious resources. In this special supplement we examine the critical efforts made to keep our local rivers clean and river ecology healthy by volunteers of the Addison County River Watch Collaborative, or ACRWC, and others around the state. The ACRWC helps support Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Conservation efforts to maintain and improve water quality by providing baseline measurements of Addison County streams and up-to-date testing to discover changes in the water. This support is crucial as these agencies feel pressure from the public and the federal government to clean up our waters during a time when their budgets are being squeezed. ACRWC volunteers collect water samples from sample stations on Otter Creek, Middlebury River, Lemon Fair River, New Haven River, Lewis Creek and Little Otter Creek. They test for such indicators as bacteria, pH, total phosphorus, total nitrogen and water temperature. From April to September the state lab processes the samples and analyzes the results to pinpoint areas where we need to remedy water quality problems. In addition to assessing the condition of our local rivers, creeks and streams, the ACRWC seeks to raise public awareness of and commitment to the ecological, economic and social values of our waterways. It also supports and praises landowners when they take action to improve the health and quality of our local streams. ACRWC and its partners are creating an integrated watershed approach to natural resources. This makes sense ecologically and will also, hopefully, encourage greater citizen responsibility for the integrity of these watersheds. The River Watch Collaborative depends on local support to carry on the stream monitoring work they do. Through this section we hope to educate and celebrate the work they do to keep our water sources clean and healthy.
A Special Publication of The Addison Independent t April 3, 2014
PAGE 2 — River Watch
BEFORE AND AFTER photos of a stretch of the Middlebury River near the Grist Mill Bridge show, left, the stream as it appeared in 2002; middle, what it looked like after being dredged and cleared following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011; and, right, how it appeared in October 2013 after restoration efforts replaced rocks to improve both fish habitats and flood control.
Middlebury River to see intensive monitoring in 2014 When you drive up Route 125 toward Bread Loaf, you can usually look down — especially on the sharp curves that follow the river’s course — to see clear water rushing around the feet of a motley crew of giant boulders. This is the Middlebury River, which assumes a totally
it becomes lazy, silty and cloudy. A tributary of Otter Creek, the Middlebury River is formed up in the Green Mountain National Forest by the
While pollution has been of concern for years on the lower Middlebury River, farther upstream flooding has been a more alarming problem for many decades.
lower Middlebury River. At the time there was
was polluting the river. Since that time, some farmers in the area have put in place practices that reduce manure input to the river. said Heidi Willis, River Watch’s coordinator for the Middlebury River and Otter Creek, “and his cows were in the river frequently, River Watch’s data that showed these harmful pathogen levels in the 1990s, local Ag agents
branches. The Middle-
give them other access to drinking water, Willis described. She said the Nop farm also took measures to reduce nutrient runoff from their barnyard. While pollution has been of concern for years on the lower Middlebury River, farther problem for many decades. Even before Tropi-
that culminated in widespread deforestation by the 1880s. In the 20th century and in the past decade, an increase in roads, parking lots, roofs and other impervious surfaces has led to ity — of the already swift river. The infamous
had on many occasions caused tremendous damage to roads, bridges and other property.
ued to wipe out culverts, roads and buildings in 1989, 1998 and 2000.
worsened by 19th-century logging operations, mostly to produce lumber and potash,
consultants, with Kristen Underwood of Bris(See Middlebury River, Page 5)
a mostly forested landscape until it reaches the more fertile plain below. ment of Conservation bury River as a Class B Cold Water Fishery that is suited for human uses including swimming,
that the river is impaired by high bacterial counts along a two-mile impaired section near its mouth. Under Clean Water Act law, impaired waters must be cleaned up, whether through better land stewardship, stormwater management, or other measures. Otter Creek Audubon River Watch, which has become folded into the Addison County River Watch Collaborative, began monitoring the Middlebury River as well as Otter Creek in 1992. It became apparent in the mid-1990s that lower reaches of the Middlebury River, especially west of Route 7, had extreme pollution problems, the most acute being E. coli readings that sometimes exceeded state standards by 10 or even 20 times. In the late 1990s, a group of concerned citizens calling themselves the Middlebury River Watershed Partnership teamed up with the Otter Creek Natural Resources Conserva-
TWO EXCAVATORS CLEAR out the Middlebury River riverbed just upstream from the Grist Mill Bridge in September 2011. The work, done with the best intentions, was an effort to clear large rocks and debris that moved downstream during Tropical Storm Irene. The river was restored last fall. Independent file photo/Trent Campbell
About this issue
Inside: Middlebury River ...................... 2 Pond Brook .............................. 3 Distinctive rivers ....................... 6
Fishing platform ....................... 7 Clean Water Act ....................... 8 Otter Creek ............................10
Supporters ..............................12
See a map of all River Watch monitoring stations at addisonindependent.com.
This supplement to the Addison Independent was produced in cooperation with the Addison County River Watch Collaborative. Except where noted, the articles were provided by ACRWC Coordinator the Middlebury River was taken by Independent photographer Trent Campbell.
River Watch
Pond Brook:
Honing in on the trouble spots “The baseline water quality monitoring we did through the River Watch Collaborative over a number of years helped us realize that Pond Brook was the largest phosphorus loading tributary in the Lewis Creek watershed,” said Marty Illick, executive director of the Lewis Creek Association (LCA). Scientists analyzed spring and summer monitoring data from 2004 to 2011, leading to the conclusion that Pond Brook in Monkton is a major sediment and phosphorus loader to the Lewis Creek watershed. Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) also looked at River Watch information, did some of their own investigating, and, recognized that the lower reaches of Lewis Creek and Pond Brook were “impaired for contact recreation use” due to E. coli impacts likely resulting from farm runoff. A “TMDL,” or Total Maximum Daily Load, allocation for law, action needed to be taken to reduce E. coli in Lewis Creek. Once they understood a problem existed, LCA led a more intensive study that “identished, said Illick. The Vermont DEC awarded the watershed group a grant to conduct a more detailed Pond Brook study. “This subwatershed is dominated by wetlands,” said Illick, “so we had to answer the question: Is the phosphorus coming from Bristol Pond, which is eutrophic (i.e., rich in nutri(See Pond Brook, Page 4)
A
RIVER WATCH MONITORING of Pond Brook, which is dominated by a web of wetlands, led scientists to discover that the brook in Monkton is a major sediment and phosphorus loader to the Lewis Creek watershed.
ddison River Watch Collaborative heartily thanks
the following businesses and organizations for supporting our hardworking ACRWC 2014 Volunteers: Conrad Ambrette Megan Brakeley Wally Bailey Kevin Behm Steve Bruce Sally Burrell Richard and Gail Butz Bobbie Carnwath Laurel Coburn Daniel Cooperrides Brent Coulthard Sue Davis Pete Diminico Mary Dodge Louis DuPont Randy Durand Beth Eliason Brian Frank
Deb Healey Mark Hekkers Marty Illick Jenney Izzo Barry and Warren King Rene Langis Mary Metcalf Ed McGuire Craig Miner Kathy Morse Dottie Nelson Barbara Otsuka Karen Pettersen Crystal Pierce Priscilla and Tad Powers Mike Quinn Chris Robbins Chris Runcie
Sheila and Bill Jim Scott Amy Sheldon Steve Smith Bobbie Summers Kelly Sweeney Ethan Swift Sally Thodal Jennifer Turner Kristen Underwood Jill Vickers Kevin Walker Anne Wallace Jennifer Wasiura Heidi Willis Alex Wylie
Many thanks to the volunteers who go out in all kinds of weather
PAGE 4 — River Watch
Pond Brook (Continued from Page 3) Burr, borders Pond Brook near its mouth at ents), or from other sources?” Bristol Pond is Lewis Creek. Burr said that he recognizes a 250-acre shallow, marshy headwater formed that the water quality of Pond Brook is “not by glaciers and also impounded at the outlet that good.” He said that when he used to milk by a dam maintained by the Vermont Fish & cows on his farm, he let the cows have access Wildlife Department. to the brook, a practice that currently, he said, During 2012-2013, LCA and the Collabor- “Everyone is working to end.” ative monitored six sample stations on Pond Burr, a member of the Monkton Planning Brook to understand where, when Commission and Agriculture and and how much soil and nutrients Natural Resources Committee, were entering Pond Brook. After “Forestland said one area that the Lewis Creek studying storm events and other Association examined as a posrunoff events, it became apparent, is often oversible source of water quality probsaid Illick, that “the phosphorus looked, but lems was forestland. “Forestland is often overlooked, when it is erodparticular reaches” of the brook. but when it is eroding, it can still Bristol Pond was not the problem, ing, it can still be problematic.” Burr explained said Illick, but rather runoff from be problematic.” various farms and forest areas. — Last Resort Farm an edge at a series of wooded, steep During this detailed study, Lewis co-owner Sam Burr gullies that lead down to Pond Creek Association and local landBrook. “In the last 10 years these owners completed an inventory of steep areas have gotten worse,” farms operating in the watershed, reviewed with storm events causing trees to uproot and stream studies and existing remote sensing fall. So much erosion has occurred at these data to pinpoint reaches appearing to have di- locations that the gullies “have started eating rect stormwater and sediment runoff. Evaluations of the Pond Brook sampling data along Lewis Creek Association also worked with with landowner conversations led to identi- a Bristol-based organization promoting sustainable forestry practices, Vermont Family projects and practices that could decrease Forests, or VFF, to teach landowners some nutrient, sediment and pathogen loading and methods to improve water quality through erosion. better forest stewardship. In 2013, VFF ran Among the many farms that the Lewis two forest access workshops and some forCreek Association found in the Pond Brook est water quality improvement projects with geologist Kristen Underwood from South and a small beef farm — is Last Resort Farm, Mountain Research and Consulting for the which grows organic vegetables, berries and Lewis Creek Association as part of the Pond hay. Last Resort Farm, co-owned by Sam Brook Project. The focus of the workshops
OWNERS OF FARMS that abut Pond Brook, like Last Resort near the brook’s confluence with Lewis Creek, are working to stop streamside erosion and end farming practices that hurt the brook. was to encourage a higher level of compliance with standards known as “Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont,” or AMPs. Illick said that almost two-thirds of the Pond Brook valley watershed is forested. “The Vermont Family Forest workshops help and support forest landowners who are implementing AMPs on their own lands in the area and the Pond Brook watershed,” Illick said. “This will ideally increase storm water attenuation and reduce sediment loading into nearby streams.” Burr said that work to stabilize some of
the gullies on his land is scheduled to happen this summer. He explained that the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service has agreed to provide funds to put down fabric and large stones that will slow stormwater ground in a more controlled way. He credited the Lewis Creek Association for helping make the project happen. “The idea is to ameliorate some of the issues that are compromising Pond Brook,” said Burr. “Hopefully more landowners will follow this example — we want to get people focused on practices that improve the quality of the brook.”
The Addison Independent is proud to support the Addison County River Watch Collaborative. Monument Farms Dairy, being a steward of the land, is working to prevent soil erosion and run-off into our streams, using crop rotation, aerial spraying and barriers on stream banks.
ADDISON COUNTY
INDEPENDENT
VERMONT’S TWICE-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
River Watch
Middlebury River (Continued from Page 2) tol in the lead, studied the shape of the river’s channel and determined the areas of greatest concern during high waters. This resulted in a Partnership and Conservation District. On Aug. 28 and 29, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene pummeled the Green Mountains with wiping out houses, roads and bridges. The and homes, but in the autumn of 2011, the town had violated laws that limit the altering of stream channels. Those laws exist in order
verbal permission that the state of Vermont be controversial. Anglers and environmentalists
THE MIDDLEBURY RIVER, swollen by rain, rages below the Grist Mill Bridge in East Middlebury last July. The River Watch Collaborative will focus its sampling on the Middlebury River and Otter Creek this summer.
Independent file photo/Trent Campbell
order to create meaningful amounts of habitat. of sediment in the reach between the two town bridges might increase the force of the river as cal Storm Irene was habitat restoration while minimizing channel disturbance. In the fall of ing large native stones that were pushed to the
areas.
other four rivers to what we call sentinel moni
status.
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PAGE 6 — River Watch
Rivers in Addison County vary in water quality, resources Group monitors six different streams
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Addison County rivers each have their own distinctive character. And within each individual
NEW HAVEN RIVER
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orative Coordinator Matt Witten said. LEWIS CREEK
cides to return to its native Addison County and
tive.
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MARTY ILLICK, RIGHT, executive director of the Lewis Creek Association, and LCA volunteer Bobbie Summers wade in to the stream to collect water samples on Lewis Creek in Ferrisburgh.
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tanic treasures.
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LEMON FAIR
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PETE DIMINICO, WHO has been saying for several years that he needs to step down from his role as sampling coordinator on the New Haven River, keeps coming back to lead volunteers in monitoring the river’s waters.
(See New Haven River, Page 9)
River Watch
Fishing platform lets more people enjoy New Haven River Just as the Lincoln River Road starts to crest to alow anglers to drop their rods down on after its winding uphill climb out of Rockydale by the New Haven River’s Bartlett Falls, platform, it’s a place to sit and enjoy the river, a railed deck juts out into the rocky stream. for kids to dance, people to sunbathe, or read This is the Chuck Baser Memorial Universal a book.” Fishing Platform in Eagle Park. The structure, The dedication ceremony with 70 attendees called a UFP, gives wheelchair-bound people was held in October 2012. The UFP is locatand others an opportunity to enjoy ed on the New Haven River about the river. a mile up the Lincoln River Road Completed in 2012, the platform “This is not from its intersection with Route was originally the brainchild of Pete just a fishing 116. It is in Bristol near the Lincoln Diminico, a devoted angler and town line. platform, it’s caretaker of the New Haven River. The total cost of this project “I had this thing on my mind for a place to sit ($56,332.00) was made possible by 25 years,” said Diminico. many generous donors and fundand enjoy the Chuck Baser, who once served ing sources including a major grant with Diminico on the Bristol Con- river, for kids to from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife servation Commission, encouraged dance, people Department and additional funding Diminico to realize his vision of a to sunbathe, or from sources such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The untimely passing of Chuck read a book.” — Pete Diminico stirred the Bristol Conservation Commission and the community grant, $37,500. of Bristol to create something special in his honor,” Diminico explained. In 2009 the conservation commission contacted the Vermont Fish and Wildlife DepartChet McKenzie to scout out the best location with Diminico and “Doc” Henderson, also of Bristol. They settled on Eagle Park because Mount Abraham. Diminico said that, although there are spac-
November 2009 as consulting engineers and The Dock Doctors LLC was chosen as the contractor in April 2011. In 2010, design considerations ensued with the Bristol ConservaA lengthy permitting process commenced in
THE CHUCK BASER Memorial Universal Fishing Platform, constructed over the New Haven River at Eagle Park in Bristol in 2012, makes it easier for anglers with physical challenges or other special needs to fish and enjoy the river. 2010 that included stream alteration permits, historical review (section 106), and compliance with grant and ADA requirements. Dock Doctors began site work construction in August 2011 and completed the ADA-compliant surepak ramp on Aug. 26. Unfortunately Tropical Storm Irene struck the next night and destroyed two-thirds of the ADA-compliant New Haven River (second highest) was recorded at 16,700 cfs. Tropical Storm Irene in
essence put a hold on this project for one more year until additional monies were secured through FEMA to repair the ramp. In September 2012, the cantilevered platform (approximately 12 feet by 22 feet) overhanging the New Haven River was lifted in place between two large boulders and secured. This UFP is also situated with a stunning view of Mount Abraham and vistas. (See Fishing platform, Page 8)
ZZXZ
New A note of
thanks...
To all the businesses, individuals & community members who came together to support our 32nd NHRAA Annual Banquet. We are honored to have the support of this wonderful community.
H
N e v a
RiveR
“The aims & purposes of the NHRAA are to improve the local fishery, to encourage the management of trout for their benefit rather than the recreational fisherperson, to promote youthful anglers through education and to work against pollution of clean water in all its forms.”
E VENTS April 8 NHRAA General Meeting. Featured guest speaker, Jake Villwock from TCO Flyshop, PA. “Fishing for Smallmouth Bass & Muskie.” Open to public April 11 “Fly Fishing Film Tour” at the Town Hall Theatre. Doors open 6PM, 6-7:30 Product showcase, 7:30 Showtime! Tickets available at Middlebury Mountaineer and also online at Flyfilmtour.com.
aNgleRs
SU MMER P ROG R A MS April 12-13 6th Annual Otter Creek Classic! Join the fun and celebrate the Opening of the 2014 Trout Season with a hearty classic fishing tournament! Pre-registration required
Women in Waders A free and fun event, introducing women to the sport of fly fishing.
After Tourney on Saturday 12th – NHRAA Opening Day Party at Two Brothers in Middlebury. Live Music. 3-5PM Open & Free to public
Both Open & Free to public
May 3, Green Up Day
newhavenriveranglers.org
Youth Day An event that introduces children to Angling in Vermont.
To participate or volunteer, please contact NHRAA at NHR.Anglers@gmail.com
PAGE 8 — River Watch
Fishing platform
1972 Clean Water Act has proven itself -
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Editor’s note: Pete Diminico of Bristol is on the board of Addison County River Watch, founded the New Haven Riverwatch in 1993, cofounded the Bristol Conservation Commission, is past president of the New Haven River Anglers, and served on the Middlebury River Task Force that oversaw post-Irene restorative work.
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River Watch
Keep Our Water Free of Motor Oil If you are one of the many people who change their own motor oil, please dispose of the used oil properly. Did you know that the used oil from just one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water — a years’ supply for 50 people!
Used motor oil is insoluble, persistent and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. It’s slow to degrade. It sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers. It’s a major source of oil contamination of waterways and can result in pollution of drinking water sources. was recycled, it would be enough motor oil for more than 50 million cars a year. Imagine how much foreign oil that would eliminate. Used motor oil from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, farm equipment and lawnmowers can be recycled and
RIVER WATCH VOLUNTEERS Ed McGuire, left, and Pete Diminico sample water quality in the New Haven River at Bartlett Falls in Bristol last year. Photo by Matthew Witten
New Haven River mal activity, from animals such as geese and beaver, can also add pathogens and nutrients such as phosphorus to this watershed.” way, however, there are still remedial avenues to pursue, largely with the help of funding and expertise from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. from Leo and Cheryl Connor. At ACRWC sampling stations along the main Despite its reputation for good pike, bass, and stem of the Lemon Fair in Bridport and Shoreham and at the upper Beaver Brook black sheep of the family of rivers in station, E. coli counts have been Addison County. It is slow and silty, chronically above the state water and seems to attract many more bugs “The New Haquality standard, and often above the than boaters, anglers or swimmers. ven River has Nevertheless, it serves as habitat for been a big part federal health-based standard. Unlike nearby rivers such as the many forms of wildlife and is worthy of attention as are all bodies of water. of my life. Fish- Middlebury and New Haven, the Lemon Fair does not drain mountainA threatened freshwater mussel, the ing is a way of (Continued from Page 6) vested communally. Vermont Fish & Wildlife has only relatively recently had a presence on the Lemon Fair, starting its purchase of land adjacent to the river in 2000 to create a Wildlife Management Area in
River, and the rare four-toed salamander may be found at the Wildlife Management Area, along with more common salamanders such as spotted, northern dusky, red-backed and northern two-lined salamanders. In 2012-2013, the Lemon Fair has been a “focus watershed” for the ACRWC. This means the collabora-
life for me. I feel blessed I have the chance to give something back to the river.”
— Pete Diminico
this area to try to make a more diagnostic assessment of where pollution problems occur and what the causes might be. “A pattern we have observed since 2003, and
Bring your used motor oil, as well as any other household hazardous waste, to the District’s HazWaste Center, located at the District Transfer Station at 1223 Route 7 South in Middlebury. Motor oil is accepted during all regular Transfer Station hours (Mon-Fri, 7 am to 3 pm, and Sat from 9 am to 1 pm), and the HazWaste Center is open for all your other household hazardous chemicals Mon-Fri from 8 am to Noon, and Sat from 9 am to Noon. Household hazardous waste and motor oil is accepted at NO CHARGE.
Businesses must pay for disposal and need to call to register for an appointment time. Questions? Call 388-2333, or visit www.AddisonCountyRecycles.org.
ou River Watch Thank Y
fo
802-877-3118 “Serving the Champlain Valley Since 1887”
There are also two public launch points near the covered bridge in Shoreham, where the water is deepest and widest due to a dam. The Vermont in the Lemon Fair: yellow perch, northern pike,
some reaches of the Lemon Fair chronically exceed water quality standards.” River Watch technical consultant Kristen Underwood explained that unacceptable levels of turbidity, phosphorus and E. coli, especially in the middle stretch of the river in Bridport and Shoreham, “suggest the need to focus on improved land management practices” in that area. The Steering Committee of the collaborative has discussed attempting to have the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation ofas “impaired” for phosphorus and E. coli. Such a listing would prompt remedial action, such as bank stabilization projects or reducing runoff “The jury is still out, though,” Witten said, -
fforts in keeping
our local waters clean!
Some canoers and anglers value the Lemon Fair River for its wildlife and remoteness in certain sections. One can put in a small boat in West Cornwall and paddle the river to its of about 12 miles, and reportedly see an abundance of different species of
re l you l a r
Great Food Starts With Clean Water!
LITTLE OTTTER CREEK Little Otter has, since pre-historic times, been a remarkably bountiful ecosystem. The mouth camping location for Native Americans. Since the ACRWC began monitoring Little Otter Creek in 1997, it has recorded somewhat elevated E. coli, turbidity and phosporus levels. lower reaches of Little Otter show characteristics more like a warm-water, marshy “slang,” as two branches of it are called by locals. Little Otter Creek is listed by the state as impaired for aesthetic reasons, aquatic life support, and contact recreation as a result of agricultural runoff and high E. coli counts from nine miles (See Little Otter Creek, Page 10)
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PAGE 10 — River Watch
Otter Creek is rich with history; efforts are made to keep it clean “The Otter Creek valley was a paradise for game,” wrote Thomas E. Daniels of Orwell, a former state game warden. Native peoples arrived here between about 10,000 and 11,000 scape. Later, the Abenaki and Iroquois hunted, crops, and settled in this abundant valley. This much storied and highly used river has an important place in Vermont history. The longest through a number of bedrock transitions which, millions of years ago, created waterfalls. Before the widespread availability and use of fossil fuels, these waterfalls were invaluable as sites for hydropower, turning the mills that ground grain, milled lumber, and ran industrial plants such at forges. Otter Creek is still a workhorse of a river, with several hydroelectric facilities and receiving waters for a number of wastewater treatment plants as well. Called “The Indian Road” by early white settlers, Otter Creek was a long, easily navigated channel that offered access from Lake Champlain upriver to the headwaters of streams
valley Native Americans found highly useful outcroppings of chert and quartzite. Evidence shows that hard-working, knowledgeable native people developed a systematic quarry industry here. It appears that blocks of ore were removed from the bedrock, impurities and low grade ore were knocked off, and then the ore
Called “The Indian Road” by early white settlers, Otter Creek was a long, easily navigated channel that offered access from Lake Champlain upriver to the headwaters of streams that flow east into the Connecticut River Valley and Massachusetts.
River Valley and Massachusetts. During the French and Indian War, Otter Creek as well as Lake Champlain became frequently used war roads. Indians such as Algonquin Chief Grey Lock used the creek as an avenue to travel south to harass and capture English settlers, and the colonists would in turn chase after them down Otter Creek to the north. Compared to other areas in Vermont, the Otter Creek Valley is very rich in the bedrock that was used to make tools for hunting, trapping,
arrowheads, spearheads, and many other tools. The creek was used for both peaceful and hostile purposes. Evidence uncovered in archaeological digs in the Otter Valley reveal that for hundreds, even thousands of years, the creek served as a link in a vast network of Native American trade routes sending goods all over the Northeast and beyond. As the word got out in lower New York and New England that the Otter Valley and the Champlain Valley were fertile, productive places, settlers migrated here. Communities sprung up at the more powerful falls along Otter Creek at Rutland, Brandon, Middlebury and Vergennes. The soils in the valley produced corn, rye, oats, barley, wheat, peas, beans, In the 1700s and 1800s, men dammed Otter Creek at nearly ev-
swiftly. During that era, water power was king — it was necessary for almost all the settlers’ activities including milling grain, sawing wood, forging iron, and making cloth. Mills were located at waterfalls, where water tumbled down forcefully and was able to turn the large waterwheels that powered the mills. Hydropower dams were built and often later rebuilt at Center Rutland, Proctor, Brandon, Middlebury, Weybridge and Vergennes. As rich as the soils were, early settlers in the Otter Valley learned that “you cultivate this bot-
ADDISON COUNTY RIVER Watch Collaborative maintains a water quality sample station below the Otter Creek falls in Vergennes, not far downstream from the Vergennes wastewater treatment plant.
Photo by Matthew Witten
tomland but you don’t build on it.” Much of and marshes during times of high water. For this reason, large sections of the creek are relatively remote from buildings and highways, and Creek Wildlife Management Area and Cornwall Swamp Wildlife Management Area — are valued for their wildlife. In the 1700s and 1800s, Lower Otter Creek became a bustling center of activity. The falls at Vergennes were the perfect manufacturing location. They were high (thus carrying a lot of power) and reachable from a major transportation route — Lake Champlain. Also, much of the land below the falls, especially large manufacturing buildings such as the National Horse Nail Company and later the Monkton Iron Works. By the early 1800s, Vergennes had one of the most developed iron industries in the region. This is one of the reasons that Lt.
Thomas McDonough built in 1814 the largest gennes falls. The Otter and its tributary Dead Creek ofVermont. There are hydropower facilities in Vergennes, Weybridge, Middlebury, Center Rutland and Proctor. All kinds of boats wind their way up from the lake and down from the falls: cabin cruisers, canoes, rowing pilot gigs, outboards, and sailboats. WATER QUALITY Otter Creek is listed by the state of Vermont as impaired for swimming from the mouth of the Middlebury River down to the Weybridge Dam and, farther downstream, from the Vergennes Falls to Otter Creek’s mouth at Lake Champlain in Ferrisburgh. E. coli counts tend Middlebury to the Route 17 Bridge. Counts at cially during periods of high runoff. Turbidity levels in Otter Creek are generally well below the state standard, but approach or of phosphorus in Otter Creek generally mirror those of suspended sediment in the water measured as turbidity. The primary source of phosphorus is erosion, and the phosphorus load transported by the river can be very high during
TWO MERGANSER DUCKS meet at the water’s edge on Otter Creek near the Cross Street Bridge in Middlebury this winter.
Photo by Matthew Witten
This spring and summer, the Addison County River Watch Collaborative will sample an increased number of monitoring sites along the Otter Creek because a more intensive monitoring focus rotates back to the watershed for a two-year period. For more information, contact Otter Creek sampling coordinator Heidi Willis at 352-4327 or redsprings@nbnworks.net.
Little Otter Creek (Continued from Page 9) upstream of its mouth. It is also listed as impaired for aquatic life support from mile 16.4 to 15.4 as a result of agricultural runoff. “Aquatic life support refers to the critters — like tiny crustaceans, worms and insect larvae ists in a healthy stream,” said Addison County River Watch Coordinator Matt Witten. trient inputs, “many of these critters, most of
which are invertebrates, cannot survive and This leads to further ecosystem degradation, causing negative impacts on “the birds, reptiles and mammals that depend on the smaller animals for food.” E. coli counts in Little Otter Creek consiscreasing downstream to Middlebrook Road, and then decreasing slightly to Route 7 in Ferrisburgh. This pattern parallels both turbidity
a need for improved farm management practices. Phosphorus concentrations are high in Little Otter Creek as well as its tributary Mud Creek, In 2010 and 2011, the Little Otter Creek watershed was the subject of focused monitoring. Water quality data were used to calculate coarse estimates of phosphorus loading to prioritize restoration and conservation efforts. Regional, state and federal partners (including NRCS, Ducks Unlimited, Vermont Land Trust) are making use of this data with a focus on lands
that drain to the creek north of Plank Road and east of Monkton Road. Conservation easements and Wetland Reserve Program projects are being implemented sion and the Agency of Agriculture are also referencing ACRWC water quality data as they work with farmers in the watershed to implement improved agronomic practices. The ACRWC will continue to monitor the creek, with intensive monitoring resuming in 2016.
River Watch
Thank you to those working hard on behalf of water quality. Good planets are hard to find!
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PAGE 12 — River Watch
River Watch Collaborative is strong thanks to support Addison County River Watch Collabora- EPA-funded lake organization, recently notitive, or ACRWC, is a network of a few groups in the county interested in clean water. It re- monitoring group had received two grants. An ceives a hodge-podge of support from various Education and Outreach Grant of $2,693 will sources. go toward River Watch forums in conjunction “Our resources,” said ACRWC Coordinator with local Addison County towns’ conservaMatt Witten, “remind me of the wation commissions and other town ter cycle. Like the unseen groundboards. The second grant of $2,144 water beneath our feet, the Vermont “The volunteers, will help River Watch improve its State Department of Environmental who show up website. Conservation laboratory services “The Lake Champlain Basin Prosupport everything we do — it’s ready to work gram casts a wide net to make sure tens of thousands of dollars of lab hard every citizens in all corners of the basin work that they provide behind the month, they are are learning how to improve water scenes year after year.” quality,” Witten said. “Both of these like the steady Witten added that the hosting grants help us take our message to services provided by the Addison rains that fall, the public: that we all share responCounty Regional Planning Com- sustaining the sibility for stewarding our watermission play a similar low-visibility flow of effort.” sheds.” but key role. Cartographer Kevin Behm, an — Matt Witten ACRWC steering committee mem“They give us meeting and storage space, as well as a range of ofber and assistant director of the - Addison County Regional Planning Comford,” he said. mission, will be leading the effort to revamp Another key, of course, is the corps of vol- River Watch’s web pages. “We host River unteers who collect the water samples. Watch’s web presence through our website,” “The volunteers, who show up ready to work said Behm. “It’s time to make these web pages hard every month, they are like the steady rains more informative, colorful, and interactive.” Behm will offer his GIS expertise to the said. Then he laughed and compared those ef- website renovation so that visitors to River forts to the occasional fundraisers and grant Watch web pages will be able to understand awards. “They seem a bit like thunderstorms,” general water quality trends in their watersheds, and visualize where sample sites are less predictable and, I have to admit, make my and what results are of interest in particular head swirl at times.” locations. The Lake Champlain Basin Program, an Behm said the regional planning commis-
sion also recently received EPA funds, some of which will help the collaborative function. the few who have worked in partnership The 2013 Water Quality Grant from the Ver- with us every year since.” mont Agency of Natural Resources comes Witten said that a number of local towns, from federal Clean Water Act money. businesses, and individuals support ACRWC River Watch did not always receive lab with funds as well as in-kind donations. processing services from the state. Longtime “In recent years, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Otter Creek and Middlebury River Lincoln, Bristol, Starksboro and watershed coordinator and steerNew Haven have renewed their ing committee member Heidi Wil- “The Lake commitment to supporting citizen lis explained that when ACRWC Champlain monitoring of our local rivers,” he began collecting water samples Basin Program said, noting that each contribute a from Addison County rivers in the hundred dollars annually. casts a wide net fewBusinesses 1990s, the collaborative put tosuch as Stark Moungether a makeshift arrangement for to make sure tain Woodworking, Vermont Coflab services, partnering with Mid- citizens in all cor- fee Company and National Bank of dlebury Union High School for lab ners of the basin Middlebury support River Watch space and equipment. Later, the with in-kind donations. In March, group used an expensive private are learning how said Witten, “we had a wonderful lab. Since 2003, the state DEC to improve water fundraising evening with music has stepped up to provide free lab quality.” by the Hip Replacements at Two — Matt Witten Brothers Tavern,” which was supgroups. ported by Lincoln Peak Winery, as Neil Kamman, a program manwell as by the tavern. ager for the Vermont Watershed ManageThe continued generous support should ment Division, said the idea of the state help the Addison County River Watch Coloffering lab services came from former Planning and Lakes Section chiefs. KamThe collaborative held its spring training man subsequently worked out the details of the process, including setting up formats for watershed groups to issue formal proposals to the lab and to complete EPA-approved “We are so delighted to have so much inquality-assurance plans. Kamman said he terest and support from our volunteers,” said also helped the lab “develop the capacity Witten. “They are ready to get out in the and set up training” for the client watershed groups. Kamman commented that “ACRWC the streams are still encased in ice!”
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