Interested in learning more about Black River bank stabilization, invasive Japanese knotweed removal, and health of the river, come to the presentation at the Craftsbury Public Library on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. Sterling College faculty member and ecologist Farley Brown will discuss the fieldwork, findings, and steps the Conservation Commission will be taking to address the water quality of the river.

Sediment in rivers, a major cause of water pollution in Vermont's rivers and streams, comes from many sources, especially runoff from dirt roads and collapsing streambanks. This type of pollution has been a long-term problem on the upper reaches of the Black River in Craftsbury, impacting fish habitat, overall stability of the river, and winding its way to Lake Memphremagog.

Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant, is spreading along the riverbanks of the Black River and tributaries,destabilizating streambanks. The knotweed's dense foilage and creeping root systems destroys the native diversity of plants with deeper rooted systems.

The Upper Black River Stabilization Project started in 2014 when the Craftsbury Conservation Commission received a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to conduct a project. The project began with an effort to assess the health of the river from Craftsbury Village and upstream towards Whitney Brook, including the Little Hosmer Dam tributary.

This past summer the project included a field survey and mapping of the streambank stability as well as areas of Japanese knotweed infestation. The result is a suggested management plan that details an approach to streambank stabilization, including a demonstration site and public educational programs. This information is critical, not only for the immediate health of the river, but also for town planning and flood resilience.

Come to a presentation about the Upper Black River Stabilization Project on February 18th at 7pm in the Craftsbury Public Library. Brown will describe the fieldwork, the findings and some steps the Conservation Commission will be taking to address the water quality of the river. Learn more about how YOU can help!

For more information, contact Farley Brown at fbrown@sterlingcollege.edu or 586-9973.

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