Massachusetts Floodplains in the Aftermath of Hurricane Irene

Tim Purinton

Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

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Staff from the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration have been out in the field over the past several weeks documenting the effects of Tropical Storm Irene on floodplain corridors in Western Massachusetts. Breached dams, blown-out culverts, and eroded roads remind us of the power of rivers in full flood. Yet, floods are natural part of the river’s ecosystem, building and shifting habitat for aquatic species. Documenting geomorphic changes from floods helps us plan for storms and eliminate unsafe infrastructure. It also helps us build more ecologically beneficial infrastructure that allow rivers and streams to flex their muscles during extreme weather conditions without harming our safety and ecosystem health.Take a look…