A headwater stream in Vermont's Winooski River watershed that was constrained by undersized culverts and small dams — causing erosion, limiting water flow and impeding wildlife movement — has been partially restored, the Vermont Land Trust (VLT), based in Montpelier, announced in early December 2025.
The rehabilitation project will allow flood waters to pass more safely, protect water quality, wetlands and floodplains and enhance wildlife habitat.
To shepherd the project, VLT brought together ecologists, hydrologic design engineers, skilled contractors and restoration experts to assess, design and implement the work.
The team of professionals replaced two undersized culverts with a single, larger "pipe arch" on an unnamed tributary of the Winooski River, the Waterbury Roundabout noted Dec. 15.
They also removed a stone dam that was impeding water flow. As a result, the stream can now flow more freely, and the new culvert will allow animals to pass and floodwaters to flow through without damaging the surrounding land or roads.
"Though big rivers may draw our attention, much of a watershed consists of small streams high in the headwaters," said Allaire Diamond, VLT's ecology and restoration program director, who led the project. "Making sure these headwater streams aren't constricted helps prevent damaging erosion and water quality issues downstream and maintains habitat for both aquatic and land animals."
The Winooski River watershed is Vermont largest, covering approximately 1,080 sq. mi. and draining four north-central counties as the river flows 90 mi. west to Lake Champlain just north of Burlington.
Heavy rains in the state have flooded the river multiple times in recent years.
"Focusing on restoration in the headwaters that feed it can reduce flood pulses in a cost-effective way," Diamond said. "And we hope projects like this can help demonstrate how landowners can protect watershed health on their own land."
Small Streams Have Big Impacts
The land where the restoration project was undertaken was originally conserved with the VLT in 2009 and donated to the land trust in late 2024.
Located near the Mud Pond Conservation Area on the western edge of Richmond, Vt., the unnamed stream that is recognized as the Winooski's headwaters flows through wetland and forest, is confined behind small dams and crosses town and private roads on its way to the river.
Engineers from Fitzgerald Environmental Associates in Colchester, Vt., visited the site in 2024 to collect data to design the restoration, which will eventually proceed in multiple phases. They identified the stream crossing as the first priority as it was undersized and had washed out in recent floods.
The engineers recommended replacing two existing culverts — one with a 15-in. diameter and other measuring 18-in. — with a larger "pipe arch" made of steel (64-in. by 43-in.) to safely fit the stream during 100-year flood levels. The culvert's wide, "squashed" base allows it to sit in a wider channel, and designers have planned for the culvert bottom to gradually fill in with gravel and soil from upstream.
Over time, this creates a natural stream bottom that will aid aquatic animals such as amphibians and small fish in their movement through the watershed.
Led by Stephen Hogan of Hogan Excavating in Cabot, Vt., the construction team began work earlier this fall. They started by installing temporary markers along wetland boundaries to ensure those areas would not be disturbed. In addition, Hogan's crews carefully managed water away from the work area and installed the new culvert before reopening the stream to its natural course.
VLT staff worked on site to remove a small stone dam by hand, just downstream of the now-improved stream crossing. They also took out woody invasive species from the stream and floodplain area and planted native willow stakes and wetland seeds collected from the property in the restoration site.
Vermont's historic drought broke soon after the work was completed, just in time to welcome the stream back to its restored course.
"For Vermont Land Trust, this project is just the first in a series of restoration efforts in this small corner of the Winooski watershed," Diamond said, including the removal of an earthen dam downstream on the property.
The nonprofit organization also hopes to address constrictions on a nearby parcel in partnership with neighboring landowners.
The Winooski River watershed restoration was funded by the Vermont Clean Water Initiative, while the costs of the design phase were administered by the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission. Funding for the construction phase was administered by Watersheds United Vermont.
In addition, the Intervale Center in Burlington, another nonprofit that addresses agricultural needs, donated work crew time to remove the watershed's woody invasives.
