River Assessment & Restoration
Findings of Fluvial Geomorphic Assessments
A fluvial geomorphic assessment seeks a scientific understanding of how a river’s watershed and human land use affect the river channel. Rivers are constantly adjusting to many changes, from dam building or breaching to road and railroad building and even deglaciation. Understanding how these changes alter the width, depth, and form of a river channel is essential for identifying potential problems in a river system and identifying long-term solutions for channel instability.
River Assessments and Reports
Studies sponsored by CRJC with Field Geology Services, with support from the NH Department of Environmental Services, Upper Connecticut River Mitigation & Enhancement Fund, and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
Ammonoosuc River Fluvial Geomorphic Assessment – maps and reports
Fluvial Geomorphology Assessment of the Northern Connecticut River, VT & NH, 2004
Fluvial Geomorphology Assessment of Northern Connecticut River Tributaries, 2006 (Mohawk & Upper Ammonoosuc Rivers)
Erosion Maps of Northern River Towns
The erosion maps posted here were created for CRJC by Dr. John Field of Field Geology Services, based on his 2004 assessment of 85 miles of the Connecticut River in northern New Hampshire and Vermont. Each town has received a large planning scale version of these maps, showing erosion and riverbank condition.
(Note: Mapping software is not necessary to view or print these maps, although Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer.Download it for free. 
Guide to maps (large file):
Causes and Management of Bank Erosion on the Upper Connecticut River
Vermont Erosion Maps
Canaan (northeast, north, central, south)
Lemington (north, central, south)
Bloomfield (north, central, south)
Brunswick (north, central, south)
Maidstone (north, south)
Guildhall (north, south)
Lunenburg (north, central, south)
Clarksville (north, central, south)
Stewartstown (north, central, south)
Colebrook (north, south)
Columbia (north, central, south)
Stratford (north, central, south)
Northumberland (north, central, south)
Lancaster (north, central, south)
Dalton (north, south)
Fluvial Geomorphology Assessment of the Northern Connecticut River, Vermont and New Hampshire
Field Geology Services, October, 2004
A fluvial geomorphic assessment of 85 miles of the northern Connecticut River between Murphy Dam in Pittsburg, NH downstream to Gilman Dam between Gilman, NH and Lunenburg, VT has identified the major natural and human factors controlling channel morphology and causing bank erosion.
Final Report
selected appendices:
Phase 2 Cross-Sections of 18 Reaches
Options for Restoration at the Colebrook Industrial Park
Bank Stabilization Implementation and Assessment of the Connecticut River near Colebrook and Groveton, New Hampshire. Field Geology Services, 2006
Continuing efforts to address bank erosion problems along the Connecticut River have led to the permitting of a bioengineering project at the Colebrook Business Park, a detailed assessment of bank instability at the Northumberland Cemetery, and production of erosion hazard maps for each town in the study area.
Bank instability at the Northumberland Cemetery is related to: 1) the breaching of the Old Wyoming Dam 3.0 miles downstream of the cemetery; 2) the breaching of Nash Stream Bog Dam in the Upper Ammonoosuc watershed; and 3) the resulting sand bar development on the Connecticut River at the Upper Ammonoosuc River confluence.
Final Report
Phase 3 Survey Data
Hydraulic Modeling Results
Bioengineering Design Specifications, Colebrook Business Park
Conceptual Restoration Designs, Northumberland Cemetery
Fluvial Geomorphology Assessment of Northern Connecticut River Tributaries (Mohawk & Upper Ammonoosuc Rivers)
Field Geology Services, January 2006
A fluvial geomorphic assessment of the Mohawk and Upper Ammonoosuc Rivers, tributaries to the Connecticut River in northern New Hampshire, has identified the major natural and human factors controlling sediment delivery to the Connecticut River mainstem where bank erosion threatens the Colebrook Business Park (adjacent to the Mohawk River) and Northumberland Cemetery (adjacent to the Upper Ammonoosuc).
Final Report
selected appendices:
Lower Mohawk River Conceptual Design Options
Mill Brook Conceptual Design Options
Restoration of the lower Mohawk River alluvial fan was completed in the fall of 2009.