Project: Eagleville Bridge Reach
Location: Batten Kill extending downstream from Eagleville Bridge off Rte 313 in Shushan, NY.
Time Frame: 2011
Partners: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NY Department of Environmental Conservation, Washington County Soil, Water, and Conservation District, Clearwater and Adirondack Chapters of Trout Unlimited, Royce Atwater.
Problem Description: Dysfunctional log and rock “deflector” structures installed decades ago were driving the force of the river's current into the banks, causing erosion and resulting in an over wide and shallow river with little cover and shelter for trout.
Project Work Competed: The restoration of natural river dynamics and improvement of habitat was accomplished for some distance below the Eagleville Bridge. Log and rock structures were installed on either side of the river channel to create a deeper channel winding along through the existing bed. This improves the dynamics in ways that create better trout habitat and also function to protect banks for landowners. We also worked with the state of New York and the town of Jackson to improve the security of the gate and the access area to the field. The flooding from Tropical Storm Irene hit about 36 hours after the completion of this work. Almost all of the structures held up and collected woody flood debris. The flooding essentially put the improvements in dynamics into fast forward.
Photos: Photos in the slideshow above show an over wide and shallow river channel devoid of structure prior to project work in 2011, and three rock and log structures installed during the project.