Thanks to this 50-foot wide river corridor easement, Hungerford Brook is a little bit healthier. This is a place where Hungerford Brook was “channelized,” with fill forcing the river into a straight-line path and making water flow more quickly. Also, the land used to be farmed right up to the river’s edge, with few deep roots to hold-in soil along the river’s edge. Ultimately, few roots and faster water means more erosion, washing away soil and making murkier water for fish and other water creatures.
To help solve this problem, the easement allows a “riparian buffer” of trees, shrubs, and plants to grow up within 50-feet of the river. Their roots help hold soil in place, provide great habitat for birds and wildlife, and help ensure cleaner river water by absorbing runoff from the farm fields. Plus, once channelized and straightened, Hungerford Brook will also be allowed to regain its natural meandering pattern. This helps the land absorb more water, increasing resilience during times of drought, while keeping downstream roads and buildings a bit safer from the next flood.
This project made possible thanks to the support and partnership of:
