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Gully Brook

Gravel deposition at the confluence of Gully Brook

One example of a project in the watershed that is based on geomorphic principles is the Gully Brook project. The Gully Brook is a tributary to the Castleton River. Historically, the Gully Brook had good access to its floodplain in the valley located between Bird Mountain and the Castleton River. In 1959, however, the Army Corps of Engineers channelized, or straightened, the Gully brook along the valley floor in order to "stabilize" the apparent flooding that had threatened the adjacent Birdseye Mountain Road during high flows.

With the meanders removed, water flowed faster through the channelized section of the Gully Brook and as a result had the velocity to carry more sediment. When waters from the Gully Brook entered the Castleton River they were traveling more quickly and carrying more sediment than they had in the past. When the Gully Brook flowed into the Castleton it was forced to slow down and as it lost velocity it would subsequently drop much of its sediment load.

Newly-excavated Gully Brook flood plain

As a result, a tremendous amount of gravel accumulated around this confluence, creating a dam that backed up the Castleton River and created innumerable floods upstream. Since the 1960's, continuous gravel removal practices were necessary to control the flooding in this area. The removed gravel was mounded along the Gully Brook and piled at the confluence with the Castleton River, farther cutting the Gully Brook off from its floodplain.

Economically, this situation has had many impacts as well, such as bridge replacement and road maintenance costs. According to watershed coordinator, Ethan Swift, "One bridge upstream of the confluence on the Gully Brook on Birdseye Mountain Road has been replaced a half dozen times since the 1959 channelization project."

Removing the large gravel pile at the confluence of the Gully Brook with the Castleton River was seen as one way to re-establish a connection between the confluence area and the floodplain. Additionally, removal of the eastern berm and lower portion of the western berm along the channelized reach of the Gully Brook would allow access to the historic flood plains of the Gully Brook. This concept embraces a passive approach to geomorphic modifications, by allowing the brook to find equilibrium through the adjustment processes driven by the Brook itself.

The desired outcomes of this project include alleviating flooding scenarios, regaining floodplain access and restoring habitat along the streambanks. Local contractors, Pete Ruby, Jr. and Michael Smith removed approximately 7,000 cubic yards of gravel from in and around Gully Brook. They rebuilt the active floodplain, based on historic photographs and geologic evidence of the pre-1959 channel.

This work will be followed by a habitat restoration in the new floodplain and along the streambanks. The habitat work will be funded through the Poultney-Mettowee Watershed Partnership and the US Fish and Wildlife, Partners for Wildlife program. Monitoring at this site will continue for at least five years after completion of the project.