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The Rivermede Stream Restoration Project
Encompasses a stretch of badly eroding streambank along the East Branch of the Ausable in the hamlet of
Keene
Valley,
Essex County,
New York. The NYS DEC, Essex County Water Quality Coordinating Committee and the Ausable River Association have identified this site as the worst eroding riverbanks throughout the entire Ausable Watershed. Presently, Rivermede Farm is loosing land at a rate of 3 feet per year along 3600 linear feet of stream bank. This erosion results in the annual deposition of 54,000 cubic feet of sand onto the river bed. The eroded farm soil contains phosphorous which is washed down the river into
Lake Champlain, contributing to eutrophication of the lake.
Furthermore, this section of river has widened so much that the river has become shallow, flow has slowed, and the river can no longer carry the sediment load coming from upstream. This self perpetuating build-up leads to more widening as the river attempts to find a route around the sediment pile.
Fish spawning habitat is destroyed as the gravel bed becomes clogged with fine sediment. The river is also warmer than comfortable for native brook trout because of the absences of trees to shade the waterway. As a consequence, the area has been rated very low for wildlife habitat by NYS DEC.
Progress has been made and project is slated to start restructuring the river. 2009
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