The Trout River restoration project was led by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC). A one mile stretch of the Trout River immediately downstream of Montgomery Center, Vermont was restored to revitalize the aesthetic beauty of the Trout River valley, protect Route 118 and adjacent properties from flooding, and provide trout habitat. The Lake Champlain Basin Program provided $32,000 towards this project.
To hold the new river channel in place, volunteers from the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) planted about 25,000 willow whips. Willow whips quickly establish roots which stabilize the newly created river banks. Rye seed and fiber cocoa mats were placed on top to re-seed the river banks. During the spring, the MRBA planted native trees on top of the bank.
This effort not only protected the Missisquoi River Basin, but also Lake Champlain, which receives sediments and phosphorus from the rivers in the Basin. Restoring the river will also help alleviate the devastation from possible future flooding on Montgomery Center.
Restoring the Trout River also involved the US Fish and Wildife Service, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Geological Survey and community members. Many landowners adjacent to the river agreed to set aside 35 foot strips of land which are critical to river protection. Ben and Jerry's employees also planted trees.
Contacts:
Mike Kline, Restoration Ecologist
VT DEC
10 North, 2nd Floor
103 South Main St.
Waterbury, VT
(802) 241-3774
Cynthia Scott
Missisquoi River Basin Association Coordinator
12 Canada St. Suite 3
Swanton, VT 05488
(802) 868-5304
Eric Derleth
US Fish and Wildlife Service
11 Lincoln St. #7
Essex Jct., VT 05452
(802) 651-6313
David Hoyt
US Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service
27 Fisher Pond Road Suite 1.
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 527-1296
USGS
PO Box 628
Montpelier, VT 05601
List of other watershed/river organizations in the Lake Champlain Basin.
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The newly constructed river channel and bank, showing the reinforced bank with willow whips and rye seed.
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