Vermonters are still coming to terms with the devastating toll of this summer’s flooding, which inundated downtowns, destroyed homes and businesses, and caused two confirmed deaths. Considered from almost any angle, the impact of this extreme weather on the state has been massive.

Vermont’s physical features affect its weather, its rivers and how humans have come to inhabit it.
When flooding hit Vermont this month, destruction spanned the length of the state, from Windham County up through Northeast Kingdom.

But the series of storms did not damage regions equally, with many mountain towns and riverside communities bearing the brunt of the impact.

The precipitation itself, as well as the flood-prone nature of many Vermont towns, can be explained by the state’s physical features, experts say. The Green Mountains along the state’s spine determined where Vermonters settled, where they worked and the weather they endured.

The rivers, streams, and wetlands you see in Vermont today are far from their natural state

Four hundred years ago, Abenaki families lived in a densely forested, mossy land, with winding streams full of dead wood and fallen trees, and many beaver ponds slowing – but not stopping – the flow of water. Larger rivers flowed through forested floodplains that would fill during spring thaw and heavy rains. Over time, rivers would move back and forth across the valleys, altering the land as they moved.

While there were still floods, this landscape would have absorbed, slowed, and spread floodwater more than our modern one.

Our rivers weren’t always this fast, deep or powerful — we made them this way.

Brave Little State is Vermont Public’s listener-driven journalism show. In each episode, we answer a question about Vermont that’s been asked — and voted on — by you, our audience.

For months, Lexi Krupp has been reporting a story to answer this question from Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier:

“What does an old stream look like? Does Vermont have any? And can we manage for them?”

By Emma Cotton July 29, 2023 vtdigger
This log jam, created by the massive flooding in Vermont in July, is expected to provide habitat benefits for fish as they recover, according to officials with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Photo by Emma Cotton/VTDigger
Over time, experts have learned that rivers best recover from flooding when they’re largely left alone — and in fact, the legacy of “cleaning” rivers has made water more fast and powerful during subsequent floods.

Experts are asking Vermonters to check their septic systems, even if they think they’re working, because flooding may have caused some damage. Septic issues can cause drinking water contamination and over-flooded systems can cause untreated wastewater to back up into the house. Anyone having septic issues can call 211 and report damages and take photos of the issues to connect with FEMA. Also, the Department of Health can provide a free drinking water test kit to ensure your water isn’t contaminated from your septic system.

The Department of Environmental Conservation hosts a monthly public Clean Water Conversations presentation series (formerly named the “Clean Water Lecture Series”) on a variety of clean water-related topics. Presentations are free and open to the public online via webinar (Microsoft Teams). See below for more information on upcoming Clean Water Conversations.

In the Lakes and Ponds Program, we are geting reports of very high-water levels in many lakes and ponds across the state and related property damage, including Peacham Pond, Joe’s Pond, Lake Dunmore, Shadow Lake (Glover), Lake Elmore, Woodbury Lake, Valley Lake, Sabin Pond, and various reservoirs. I am sure there are many others, and this is not an exhaustive list. It is always useful to hear from people about what is going on after the storm at individual lakes, so don’t hesitate to reach out and share information and photos.

The City of Newport, the Town of Newport and the Town of Derby, Vermont
all join in thanking the City of Magog, Quebec for their vigilance in monitoring
Lake Memphremagog! Merci pour votre aide!

Starting in mid-July, the Memphremagog Watershed Association, in partnership with the City of Newport, will be breaking ground on a stormwater improvement project on Farrant Street near the Newport Marina and former Numia Medical Technology building. The stormwater improvements will prevent approximately 19.8 pounds of phosphorus and over 1,000 pounds of sediment from entering Lake Memphremagog each year.