Nearly every stream and river in the state of Vermont is undergoing change. Sometimes these changes are natural or imperceptible. Other times, and more often, streams and rivers are adjusting to channel, flood plain, or watershed changes imposed in years past by human activity. Understanding the natural tendencies of a stream, its current condition, and what changes may be anticipated in the future is invaluable to making sound protection, management, and restoration decisions.

The River Management Program provides the technical assistance to conduct geomorphic assessments of streams and their watersheds. Contact River Management Program geomorphic assessment technical assistance staff for data forms, assessment protocols, and geomorphic reference tools used by the State to assess stream condition and responses.

Assessment Reference Tools and Links

• Geomorphic Assessment Viewer (MapServe)
• Vermont Regional Hydraulic Geometry Curves; 2001 provisional (pdf, 461 KB)
• Stream Geomorphic Assessment Data Management System (DMS)
• Stream Geomorphic Assessment Tool (SGAT) User Guide (pdf, 4825 KB)

Why do Geomorphic Assessments?

• Fluvial Geomorphology: A Foundation for Watershed Protection, Management and Restoration (pdf, 331 KB)
• Vermont River Corridor Management Program Definition and Application of Fluvial Geomorphology (pdf, 20 KB)

Updated  Vermont Geomorphic Assessment Protocols

• Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Stream Geomorphic Assessment; Program Introduction (pdf, 221 KB)
• Vermont Stream Geomorphic Assessment Protocols
• Vermont Stream Geomorphic Assessment Protocols - Handbook Transmittal Letter (pdf, 298 KB)




Model RFPs and Sample Quality Assurance Plans

• Model Phase I RFP (doc, 51 KB)
• Model Phase2 RFP (doc, 53 KB)
• Sample Quality Assurance Plan - Browns River Watershed (doc, 3.5 MB)

 

Assessment Results

• River Management Projects and Report Listings (pdf, 92 KB)
• Data shows floodplains are key to stream stability and Lake Champlain (pdf, 48 KB)
• Stream Geomorphic Assessment Data Management System-    Login to view all of our Stream Geomorphic Assessment Projects.
• Lewis Creek Geomorphic Assessment Pilot Project Report (pdf, 3.7 MB)
• Batenkill Report (pdf, 2.6 MB)





Educational Materials and Links

• ANR Riparian Buffer Guidance
• Defining River Corridors Fact Sheet (pdf, 176 KB)
• River Corridor Protection and Management Fact Sheet (pdf, 205 KB)
• The Streamside Sentinel (pdf, 6.1 MB)
• Values of Riparian Buffers (pdf, 18 KB)
• Videos (contact Mike Kine):

- Unstable Rivers, Using a Geomorphic Watershed Based Approach to River Restoration. (21:36 minutes)
- When Rivers Become Unstable, How Streamside Woodlands Can Help Protect Land. (23:00 minutes)

Training Opportunities

• Nothing available at this time.

Updated: July 2007