Davis Farm River Corridor Easement

Davis Farm River Corridor Easement

This may be the “poster child” of River Corridor Easements — a prime example of why it’s important to protect a broad river corridor, not just a narrow strip along a riverbank. The Davis family has run a dairy farm here for generations, with the Browns River flowing right through the middle of their farm fields. But rivers don’t always stay where they are. While some farmers might try digging out a river channel or lining the banks with tires keep the river in place, the Davis family recognized that a healthy river is a meandering river.

We helped the Davis family put a River Corridor Easement along both sides of the Browns River, protecting both riverbanks (more than 5,000 feet of riverbanks). Close to the river, they agree to let shrubs and trees grow, helping to filter rainwater and keep soil in place, while providing high quality bird habitat. They also agree to let the river flood and change its course, which its done. When we first protected the property years ago, the river ran a straighter course. Today, the river has more bends and curves, and more sandy beaches. This is good news for water quality, and — because a slow, curving river helps store more groundwater along its course — it’s also good news for the Davis family, whose fields, cows, and well water will all benefit from more groundwater.

Conservation Details

• River: Browns River
• Acreage: 23.70
• River frontage (ft): 5,200

Funding Partners

This project made possible thanks to the support and partnership of:

• Vermont Agency of Natural Resources River Management Program

Photos

Davis Farm and conservation easement in on the Browns River in Jericho, Vermont.

High water flooding farm fields on the Davis Farm in Jericho, Vermont.

Aerial photo shows meandering river bends crossing the Davis Farm in Jericho, Vermont.

A protected gravel bar and riverbank on the Davis Farm in Jericho, Vermont.