Conservation Tour

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I. NASH STREAM, Stark/Odell, NH;  Approx. 1.5 hrs drive time from Waterville (Morning)

In 1969, an earthen dam ruptured, sending a wall of water and cobbled debris downstream which scoured and widened the streambed and embankments , destroying vegetation and instream habitat.   Over the last century, the surrounding forest was logged and many poorly constructed and placed roadway culverts were installed, inadvertently closing off access for brook trout spawning to otherwise productive tributaries.

During the last three  three years, five culverts have been replaced and rebuilt, and two more were completely removed, thereby reopening spawning tributaries to the mainstem.  Woody material, boulders and streamside plantings have been added to restore channel processes and instream habitat.  The river and its fishery are responding well based on fish surveys done by biologists from the NH Fish and Game Department.   

Jim MacCartney, TU staffer and project coordinator will lead this  tour and will talk about the river's improving health.      
  

II. PEMIGEWASSETT RIVER, Exit 31 Route 93 North;  20 minutes north of Waterville; (Shore lunch  will be provided  here.)

During the construction of Interstate 93 many decades ago, this section of this premium cold water fishery suffered  a great deal of damage.  The instream channel was forced to divert, resulting in extreme bank erosion  and destruction of  refuges, pools and macro-invertebrate populations.

The Pemigewassett and Ammonoosuc Chapters of TU  helped obtain  $500,000 in grants for this reconstruction project. There will be a presentation  after lunch that will show participants the details of the project.