In October 2025, the Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) completed the Crawford Brook Restoration Project in Newport. This project takes on a holistic approach to addressing water quality and habitat degradation issues by not only tackling the symptoms but also the sources. Project goals aimed to stabilize two sediment sources, restore floodplain connection and stream habitat complexity, and improve floodwater storage capacity across Crawford Brook.

The first sediment source to be addressed was a 270-foot gully along a snowmobile trail. The gully flowed down the ditch and onto the trail in several sections, causing frequent trial washouts that contributed high sediment loads to Crawford Brook. The trail surface and was re-graded to direct water off the trail and into the ditch, which was stabilized in sections using a combination of stone lining, wood, and check dams. A wetland crossing at the bottom of the trail was also stabilized with a stone-lined ford to prevent washouts and improve recreational use.

The second sediment source was a forest gully that formed on a Crawford Brook tributary, which receives significant groundwater inputs from developments along Route 5. This increase in flow has caused the channel to erode and down-cut, forming a 300-foot forest gully that is 6-feet deep and 15-feet wide. The forest gully was stabilized by installing nine woody check dam structures. These novel structures function similarly to stone check dams in ditches. They slow down water, reduce erosion, and trap sediment. The checks were installed in such a way that encourages the buildup of sediment behind the dams, thus filling in and stabilizing the gully overtime.

Elsewhere, stream and floodplain restoration focused along sections of Crawford Brook that were degraded, incised, and disconnected from their floodplains. To restore these habitats, a suite of low-tech, process-based restoration (LTPBR) and strategic woody addition (SWA) methods were implemented. Fifty hand-built woody structures were installed in-stream and along the floodplain. These woody structures work to trap sediments, improve floodplain connectivity and wildlife habitat, and kick-start natural stream processes. These wood structures include beaver dam analogues (BDAs), Strategic Wood Additions (SWA), Large Wood Additions (LWA), and Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALS). Each of these structures were installed with a different purpose and function that is catered to the stream’s needs.

This project was supported by funds from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) in their role as the Memphremagog Clean Water Service Provider (CWSP) as well as the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. MWA wishes to thank VELCO, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Cloud Path Farms LLC, NorthWoods Stewardship Center, Ames Ecologics LLC, and Cunningham Logging & Excavation for their invaluable support and partnership on this project.

Through education & outreach, with volunteers and partners, MWA participates in conservation planning and develops and implements water quality  projects that will ultimately improve the rivers and lakes in the watershed for all of us to respect and enjoy.