In June 2005, the Vermont River Conservancy (VRC) received several requests for assistance to protect a 10.1-acre property along Kenfield Brook in Morristown that contains a popular and traditionally-used access to the state-significant Terrill Gorge. New owners of this parcel with frontage on Kenfield Brook and Stage Coach Road were in the process of subdividing the property—along with the adjacent parcel—for development of 9 residential homes.

Development of the wooded parcel along Kenfield Brook would negatively impact fishing and remove a key access to Terrill Gorge, one of Vermont’s most beautiful natural swimming areas.

The Vermont River Conservancy protected the access to the gorge and conserved undeveloped riparian lands and scenic woodland views along and above Kenfield Brook. The project benefits anglers, swimmers, photographers, and those who love to visit this area—one of Vermont’s exceptional places. Upon purchase, VRC conveyed fee title to the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, subject to conservation and public access easements that assure public access and prevent development forever.

Kenfield Brook

Kenfield Brook is an important trout-producing stream, and anglers enjoy fishing it. The brook has very high quality cold-water fish habitat, containing wild, self-sustaining populations of brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.

The importance of the fishery in Kenfield Brook and in the Lamoille below Cady’s Falls and Morristown Dam has led to state ownership of a number of parcels. Vermont Fish & Wildlife (VT F&W) owns three parcels in the immediate vicinity, Morristown parcel 210 (2.4 acres), parcel 207 (the Gorge itself - 7.35 acres), and parcel 205 (2.8 acres), as well as strips one rod wide along the south bank of the Lamoille and the west bank of Kenfield Brook. The one rod strips are fully vegetated and do not include trails.

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page updated 2/26/08 by Zephyr Sites

Terrill Gorge

Terrill Gorge is about a mile long and contains rapids, riffles, potholes, water-smoothed rock, with some faces up to 100 feet tall. It is a quiet, secluded, and lovely. There are several very popular swimming areas. Jenkins “Waterfalls, Cascades, and Gorges of Vermont” rates this area of “high importance”…a “fine recreational site, one of a few large chains of pools and cascades in the state.” The gorge is well known, but not overused. It is featured in several books and websites, although some misname it “Cady’s Falls”.

It is a uniquely beautiful area to visit, whether you swim or not. Quiet yet dramatic, the deep, wide pool at the opening to the gorge reminds one of famous paintings from the Hudson River School . While the surrounding landscape is bucolic, Terrill Gorge has a wild, primeval feeling to it draped above with venerable hemlocks above the cataracts and muscular yellow birches bulging from rock crevices. On a hot day there is almost always someone there—quite frequently families with small children—although, unlike many other magnificent swimming areas in the state, it is rare to find the site crowded.

Expected Impact of Development/Support for Conservation

The proposed residential development of this parcel would have resulted in

• Loss of public access to Terrill Gorge
• Alteration of angling experience (clearing of woods and visibility of houses)
• Negative impacts on water quality of Kenfield Brook

Local support for conserving the subject property was very strong. The Morristown Conservation has been highly active in efforts to protect Kenfield Brook. The Commission recently completed a comprehensive water quality sampling of swimming holes in the watershed and is facilitating actions that protect the water quality of Kenfield Brook. The Morristown Selectboard has enthusiastically endorsed the VRC’s efforts.