Project: Benedict Brook Culvert Replacement
Location: Benedict Brook (BK tributary) at River Road, West Arlington, VT.
Time Frame: Summer 2005
Partners: Town of Arlington, VT, Trout & Salmon Foundation, Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. The Alliance supported the Town project.
Problem Description: An undersized pipe culvert was a barrier to fish passage and repeated washouts caused excess sedimentation of the brook and the river, as well as imposing repair costs on the Town.
Project Work Completed: The Town installed an open-bottom, arch bridge of larger capacity to accommodate high flows and provide a natural streambed, allowing unimpeded fish passage for spawning, feeding and cold water refuge. This project both enhanced trout habitat and prevented costly washouts.
Photos: Photos in the slideshow above show the undersized pipe culvert before the project, and the large, open-bottom culvert installed to allow high water flows and fish-passage.