Over the last few years the State of Connecticut has been replacing culverts that flow under paved roads. The replacements were done because of the need to prevent the roads from being washed away in times of heavy rains. A plus of these necessary replacements is the fact that the state has used fish friendly culverts. I have seen several styles of these culverts and all seem to have accomplished what they were designed to do. One such culvert replacement is on a small stream that flows through a big piece of state land. I first noticed the stream many years ago when I hunted the land. Where the stream flowed under the road was a disaster for fish passage. The culvert was at least a foot high. The pool it created was deep but that was as far as the brook trout could go.
So about three years ago that useless culvert was replaced with the fish friendly one. It opened up the stream to some beautiful habitat for brook trout.
I poked around that stream recently and was thrilled with what I saw. There were brook trout darting about. These fish were small but they were there. Now I really don't think a 10 inch brookie will be caught here but that is not the point and that point is they are here in whatever size that may be. They are survivors and a necessary part of our heritage.
This was one of several I hooked that day. He was the only one that came to hand.
A very important post, Alan! Last year I began serving on our local town Conservation Commission in Western Mass. Culvert replacements are very expensive, but the new drop-in concrete culverts are making a big difference. On a note of caution, we found that you have to keep an eye on the actual replacement construction. During a recent culvert replacement in our town, a CC member noticed that the contractor hadn't taken adequate measures to prevent bankside silt and debris from he was creating from being washed back into the stream. When this problem was called to his attention, the contractor acted willingly and quickly to improve the protective measures.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
John
John Strucker
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John I have seen some elaborate culverts, and I will try to get some photos of them. And keeping an eye on the contractors is only going to benefit the town/state as well as the brook trout.
Still amazes me that back East Brookies are treasured and out here, invasive species. I'd much rather catch Brookies.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark we have the same issue with rainbow/brown trout. They are here and we deal with them. I'm with you on catching brookies.
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteIn a way the "invasion" is on us - the brookies didn't hitchhike to the Mountain West on their own. (-;
John
John, it's to bad they didn't realize what they were doing so many years ago.
DeleteMaine has been doing some good work on culverts, but more needs to be done. Hats off to everybody who stays on top of this issue and all the others that affect brook trout habitat. Keep fighting the good fight.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike these culverts when replaced can open up so much vital habitat for the brook trout. Dam removal should also be pushed for.
There are so many small New England millpond dams left over from the Colonial era that need to come down, it would open up so much more habitat. Unfortunately, getting small New England towns to remove those quaint, obsolete 200 year old dams is like pulling teeth.
DeleteMike there are so many of these dams that are a total wreck. Many have been breached and are dangerous. Also its anyone's guess as to what is in the sediment behind them.
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