WOODSTOCK — A river management engineer with Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources will lead two in-person workshops on flood resiliency in Woodstock on Sept. 18.
The town is focusing on how to better prepare itself for flooding in the wake of the 10th anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, which devastated area homes and businesses.
Vermont River Management Engineer Todd Menees will lead a workshop at the Forest Center at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park from 9 to 11 a.m. He will discuss riparian vegetation and water quality in the Ottauquechee River watershed, as well as how flood resiliency benefits the economy, society and the environment.
Menees will demonstrate the flow of a river on a “flume table” and show how management decisions — such as adding a culvert — impact the river. Each minute simulates two years of change along a channel, he said. Menees will also lead a walk along Barnard Brook to analyze the river banks for signs of erosion or stormwater runoff. Attendance is limited to 20 people. To RSVP, email Joey Sullivan at joseph[underscore]sullivan@partner.nps.gov. Masks are required indoors.
In addition, Woodstock will hold a 10-year commemoration of Tropical Storm Irene on the Woodstock Green from noon to 3 p.m. Woodstock Emergency Services will discuss disaster preparedness and distribute preparedness information. Menees will give another presentation and flume demonstration from 1 to 3. No registration is required.
Claire Potter is a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at cpotter@vnews.com or 603-727- 3242.