The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) completed a series of projects along the Lamoille River earlier this summer that will enhance safety and access, and continue efforts to rebuild infrastructure after severe flooding in 2023.
The work, which was performed by the NFCT’s professional trail crew and Hermit Woods Trailbuilders, included restoration of the Dog Head Falls Carry and rehabilitation of the Manchester campsite, as well as cleanup of debris deposited by last summer’s storms and installation of new infrastructure at Crossing Falls.
“The Lamoille River is such an important component of Vermont’s local outdoor recreation economy,” said NFCT Assistant Trail Director Alex Delhagen. “This entire region sustained severe flood damage in 2023. We have worked hard to restore and improve two crucial portage trails, reestablish an access point popular with both paddlers and anglers, and remove trash and debris from the watershed through a series of river clean-ups. Beyond restoring trail conditions, we seek to increase future resilience to storms through strategic infrastructure design and construction.”
The work implemented by the NFCT was completed in partnership with the Lamoille River Paddlers’ Trail (LPRT) steering committee, the towns of Johnson and Hardwick and was funded through a Flood Recovery grant from the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC).
The LRPT is an initiative to facilitate low impact recreational use of the Lamoille River. Goals include: developing and stewarding access points, portage trails and primitive campsites; providing maps and guides to facilitate safe river trips; and creating opportunities for civic engagement. Prior to June’s work, there were several portages along the LRPT that were unsuitable — and in some cases, unsafe — including Dog Head and Crossing Falls.
The rebuilt Dog Head Falls portage provides safe passage around a dangerous cascade on the Lamoille River in Johnson, Vt. The floods washed out existing infrastructure, including signage, a 20-foot trail bridge and a set of stone steps. The NFCT constructed a more durable, 15-step stone staircase, replaced signs and developed an alternative take-out location where a trail bridge was not required.
Additionally, a community river cleanup helped clear away debris from river banks, including tires, propane tanks, plastic waste and lumber. Over 25 community members participated in that effort, which focused on the section of the river between Hardwick and Wolcott.
“Rivers and waterways are remarkably resilient, but major weather events often require communities to step in and help with recovery,” said Noah Pollock, the NFCT’s trail director. “The NFCT is proud to work with local partners to restore the Lamoille River to a more pristine state, and to provide infrastructure that helps people from all backgrounds continue to enjoy this beautiful natural resource.”
A second river cleanup is slated for Saturday, Sept. 28. More details will be announced early next month.
Meanwhile, the NFCT partnered with Hermit Woods Trailbuilders to install new infrastructure at the nearby Crossing Falls portage trail, which was also heavily damaged by last summer’s storms.
“Floodwaters had destroyed an old road bed that served as the carry trail,” said Sam Brakeley, owner of Hermit Woods Trailbuilders and former NFCT stewardship intern. “Using a design best suited for combatting future floods, we were able to install a series of wide, interlocking stones to provide users with sturdy, level footing.”
As the only dedicated water trail crew in the Northeast, the NFCT’s stewardship crew specializes in projects at the interface of land and water, including campsites, portage trails and access points. To learn more about the NFCT’s stewardship work, contact Noah Pollock at noah@northernforestcanoetrail.
