This project was identified in the Cold River Corridor Plan (2013) as a priority project for active restoration by berm removal and culvert replacement and passive restoration by corridor protection and buffer restoration. All of these actions are being supported within this project. The Cold River was historically straightened and armored along Cold River Road, resulting in incisions in the river’s banks. Sargent Brook was bermed above the confluence to prevent overbank flooding onto farm fields. Wilmouth Hill bridge and road run perpendicular to the flow, putting them at risk of washout. Within this project area is the intersection of Cold River Rd and Wilmouth Hill Road, which experienced severe damage during Tropical Storm Irene and again during the flooding of 2023. During Irene, overbank flows from Sargent Brook caused erosion and fine sediment deposition in fields to the north. Bank failures occurred along north and south banks upstream of the bridge and the road embankment failed on the south bank downstream of the bridge. Due to lack of floodplain access, the waterways have increased erosive power and during both 2011 and 2023 flooding events, the stream has found a weak spot in the berm and flooded through the farmland and over Wilmouth Rd. 

We are excited to move forward to a final design of the area, which has expanded to more than twice the original project area, including berm removal, floodplain restoration, culvert upsizing, and buffer plantings.