Aquatic organism passage restoration prioritization tool for the New York portion of the Lake Champlain Basin
Project summary
Reconnecting and restoring streams by removing barriers to aquatic organism passage (AOP) reduces the risk of flooding and erosion and allows species, like landlocked Atlantic salmon and Eastern brook trout, to access critical habitat. In this project, Trout Unlimited (TU) developed a web-based tool that prioritizes sites for AOP restoration projects, like dam removal and culvert replacement, in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain Basin (LCB). Prioritization is based on the potential ecological benefits, improvements to public safety, and the likelihood of community support. The tool focuses restoration work on feasible sites that provide the greatest ecological value.
TU and project partners built on methods developed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for the previously launched Vermont Dam Screening Tool. The team used watershed condition and ecosystem vulnerability to guide ecological metrics such as habitat condition, aquatic species of concern, and invasive species management. Key data sources included the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture patch characteristics, stream habitat classification data, and models of stream temperature and brook trout probability of occurrence.
Public safety was another key factor, with metrics addressing dam risk classification and potential flood impacts to community infrastructure. Social metrics were also included, indicating potential community support by considering the dam’s historic value and current uses of the upstream impoundment (e.g. recreation, drinking water supply, or energy production).
Key results
- This project categorized 211 dams in the study area based on ecological, social, and infrastructure metrics.
- The Lake Champlain Basin, New York Barrier Prioritization Tool and the associated User Guide is available to all interested stakeholders, via ArcGIS online.
- The impact of barrier removal to the population of Eastern Brook Trout in the LCB was assessed using the “3-R” framework – Resiliency, Redundancy, and Representation. Based in the foundation of conservation biology, the framework evaluated population’s resiliency to disturbances, likelihood of persistence, and representation of genetic, life history, and geographic diversity.
Other Takeaways
- TNC has also developed tools to aid watershed professionals and stakeholders with the prioritization and planning of barrier removals and stream crossing replacements in the LCB. More information on the development and use of the VT database and map are available at this link and on The Nature Conservancy’s website. Details on the NY tool are available via the ArcGIS Map link below.