Exhibit A for why not to build in a floodplain: In the midst of Tropical Storm Irene, the Green River raged. Its usually calm waters converted into a raging torrent. The river overflowed its banks and reclaimed old channels, and the house here was pummeled with water and debris. The land it stood on became an island, with water rushing around both sides of the structure. Luckily, the family living here was safe, but the house was destroyed, their lives were upended, and they couldn’t rebuild on the new “island” created by the river.
Seeing a path forward for the displaced family and an opportunity to help keep people safe from the next big flood, Jimmy Karlan and Kathryn Mason stepped-in to buy the land and dilapidated home, then worked with Connecticut River Conservancy and engineers to regrade the river channel. Jimmy and Kathryn donated an easement to Vermont River Conservancy in order to make sure that the land would never be developed again.
This project made possible thanks to the support and partnership of:
From the middle of Guilford Town, drive west on Guilford Center Road for 4.0 miles to Guilford Village. Turn right onto Carpenter Hill Road and right again almost immediately to stay on Carpenter Hill Road. Drive 1.9 miles. Bear left onto Senator Hunt Rd. and drive 0.1 miles to Hinesburg Road. Turn left onto Hinesburg Road and drive 1 mile. The Karlan River Access will be on your left, where Hinesburg Road is close to the Green River.
