Photo Credit: USDA
Impact of Hurricane Irene on Fish Populations
The document below states that if the rivers of Washington, Orange, Windham,
and Windsor counties were not altered after a major flooding
event, the aquatic habitat and the fish populations would recover in 2-4 years
(Figure 4). Since Hurricane Irene was a major disturbance to the aquatic river systems of Vermont, it will take several years to understand both the long and short term effects on fish populations. In the partial
assessment of the watershed’s impacted, it can be seen that
a great portion of the watershed has been impacted, about 77 miles worth of river riparian buffer has been majorly devoid of viable habitat features (Table 1).
Fig. 4 depicting Wild Trout populations before and after Hurricane Irene a Vermont Fish and Wildlife survey of the Slide Brook, Union Brook, Stony Brook, and Dog River.
Portion of Table 1 depicting the major and minor footage of impacted riparian buffer in the Winooski River watershed.
In considering that Tropical Storm Irene's damage happened relatively recently, a lot of the damage is unknown and still being researched and studied. As the field season (Spring and Summer 2012) progresses there will be more to know about the effects of Tropical Storm Irene on the fish populations and aquatic habitat across the state, along with the impacts of the buffers to the rivers that were most effected. From the amount of footage that was affected by Irene, one can assume that there will be some major changes that will happen to the future Vermont rivers and watershed. Whether it be increase in riparian buffer zones, or complete channelization of the rivers, something will come from this natural disaster.
The Fish and Wildlife Department will spend this coming field season to identify and finalize the impacts of what exactly happened to the aquatic life after Irene. "Our Department is actively working with other state, federal and private partners to address flood response and procedural shortcomings, as well as identify areas for potential restoration including instream, passage and riparian enhancements." This is what Rich Kirn a fisheries biologist in the Moretown area said about what they will be doing with the funds provided by the state and federal governments in the coming months. Since there was not much time between Hurricane Irene and winter most of the upcoming time and funds will be allocated to the research of these floodplains.
Photo Credit: USDA
Impact of Hurricane Irene on Fish Populations
Fig. 4 depicting Wild Trout populations before and after Hurricane Irene a Vermont Fish and Wildlife survey of the Slide Brook, Union Brook, Stony Brook, and Dog River.
Portion of Table 1 depicting the major and minor footage of impacted riparian buffer in the Winooski River watershed.
In considering that Tropical Storm Irene's damage happened relatively recently, a lot of the damage is unknown and still being researched and studied. As the field season (Spring and Summer 2012) progresses there will be more to know about the effects of Tropical Storm Irene on the fish populations and aquatic habitat across the state, along with the impacts of the buffers to the rivers that were most effected. From the amount of footage that was affected by Irene, one can assume that there will be some major changes that will happen to the future Vermont rivers and watershed. Whether it be increase in riparian buffer zones, or complete channelization of the rivers, something will come from this natural disaster.
The Fish and Wildlife Department will spend this coming field season to identify and finalize the impacts of what exactly happened to the aquatic life after Irene. "Our Department is actively working with other state, federal and private partners to address flood response and procedural shortcomings, as well as identify areas for potential restoration including instream, passage and riparian enhancements." This is what Rich Kirn a fisheries biologist in the Moretown area said about what they will be doing with the funds provided by the state and federal governments in the coming months. Since there was not much time between Hurricane Irene and winter most of the upcoming time and funds will be allocated to the research of these floodplains.
Full Report:
Impacts to Stream Habitat and Wild Trout Populations in Vermont Following Tropical Storm Irene
