Assessment of Assessment of Riparian Buffer Riparian Buffer Reestablishment Reestablishment in Stevens-Rugg in Stevens-Rugg

BrookBrook

Jessica Etzkin, Liam Caine, Jessica Etzkin, Liam Caine, Adam Sieffert, Omar Qazi, Adam Sieffert, Omar Qazi,

Raphael OkutoroRaphael Okutoro

BackgroundBackground

Stevens Brook and Rugg Brook are two Stevens Brook and Rugg Brook are two streams which run together streams which run together

Meet up in St. AlbansMeet up in St. Albans Drain into St. Albans Bay in Lake ChamplainDrain into St. Albans Bay in Lake Champlain Areas surrounding stream have experienced Areas surrounding stream have experienced

flood damage over the lat 100 yearsflood damage over the lat 100 years Legislative action was taken to control Legislative action was taken to control

floodingflooding Entire brook is channelizedEntire brook is channelized

Background ContinuedBackground Continued Urban Development is Urban Development is

encroaching on brookencroaching on brook Urban runoff resulting in Urban runoff resulting in

poor water and in stream poor water and in stream habitat quality habitat quality

Additional, runoff from Additional, runoff from farms adding excess farms adding excess nutrientsnutrients

Overall, many Overall, many environmental issues are environmental issues are leading to the degradation leading to the degradation of Stevens-Rugg Brookof Stevens-Rugg Brook

Our Reach

GoalGoal

To assess alternatives that will To assess alternatives that will improve the overall stream habitat improve the overall stream habitat

and water quality, stabilize the and water quality, stabilize the banks, and improve the banks, and improve the

geomorphology of Stevens-Rugg geomorphology of Stevens-Rugg Brook, in St. Albans.Brook, in St. Albans.

ObjectivesObjectives Assess and do inventory of Stevens-Rugg Brook, as it Assess and do inventory of Stevens-Rugg Brook, as it

currently appears focusing on the area near the Federal currently appears focusing on the area near the Federal Building and Houghton Park by April 15, 2005.Building and Houghton Park by April 15, 2005.

Identify all the possible alternatives for improving the Identify all the possible alternatives for improving the overall stream quality by April 15, 2005.overall stream quality by April 15, 2005.

Identify alternatives that may be more feasible than Identify alternatives that may be more feasible than establishing a riparian buffer.establishing a riparian buffer.

Research the affects of setting up a minimum riparian Research the affects of setting up a minimum riparian buffer for improving stream habitat by April 20, 2005.buffer for improving stream habitat by April 20, 2005.

Assess what type of vegetation would be best in a Assess what type of vegetation would be best in a riparian buffer in St. Albans for improving stream habitat riparian buffer in St. Albans for improving stream habitat by April 20, 2005.by April 20, 2005.

Research St. Albans policy on setting up riparian buffers Research St. Albans policy on setting up riparian buffers to understand if this alternative is feasible.to understand if this alternative is feasible.

Evaluate costs associated with setting up different Evaluate costs associated with setting up different strategies to improve the overall water quality.strategies to improve the overall water quality.

Main St.

Stevens and Ruggs Brook

Houses within 10 meters of stream

Houses too close to the stream with no riparian buffer

Undercutting

Can you say channelized?

Stormdrains flowing directly into stream

Trash

Downstream of development consists of trash and concrete blocks

Muskrat Hole, wildlife corridor potential?

Hard Engineering already in place, unfortunately it’s about 10 feet from a house

AlternativesAlternativesActions Erosion Cost Geomorphology Bank

Stability

Water Quality Improved in stream Habitat

No action No change none No improvement No Change No Change No change

Rip Rap Helps stop erosion

Low cost No improvement Keeps bank very stable

Improvement, reduces erosion, sedimentation.

No improvement

Coconut Fiber Bundles

Moderately to greatly controls erosion

Higher cost Allows for stream to change and meander

Holds bank mostly stable

Improves with trapping sediment

Creates environment for plants to grow and fish habitat

Planting Vegetation (Riparian Buffer)

Deep roots control it well

Higher Cost Allows stream to change and meander

Holds bank mostly stable

Greatly improves, traps nutrient and sediment

Adds shading and nutrients for stream

Planting live cuttings

Deep roots control it well

Moderate Allows stream to change and meander

Holds bank mostly stable

Greatly improves,traps nutrients and

sediment

Adds shading and nutrients for stream

Root wads Moderately to strongly controls erosion

Moderate Allows stream to change and meander

Holds bank mostly stable

Improves with trapping sediment

Creates environment for plants to grow and fish habitat

Other AlternativesOther Alternatives

Removal of roof drains from residential Removal of roof drains from residential homes which drain into the brookhomes which drain into the brook

Removal of on-site drainage systems Removal of on-site drainage systems and pipesand pipes

New flood control detention basinsNew flood control detention basins Sediment trapsSediment traps Education of the Residents: trash clean Education of the Residents: trash clean

up days, less use of fertilizers and up days, less use of fertilizers and pesticidespesticides

Conclusion Conclusion

Each stream section has its own Each stream section has its own problems, therefore many alternatives problems, therefore many alternatives will need to be used to fix the will need to be used to fix the problems.problems. EducationEducation Roof drain removal, pipe removal, storm Roof drain removal, pipe removal, storm

retention basin addition, and sediment retention basin addition, and sediment trapstraps

Coir BundlesCoir Bundles Planting a Riparian BufferPlanting a Riparian Buffer