Skip to main content

River Corridor Planning

Aerial view of a rive and surrounding farm fields

A goal of the Vermont Rivers Program is to manage toward, protect, and restore the fluvial geomorphic equilibrium condition of Vermont rivers by resolving conflicts between human investments and river dynamics in the most economically and ecologically sustainable manner.  River corridor planning is conducted in Vermont to remediate the river instability that is largely responsible for erosion conflicts, increased sediment and nutrient loading, and a reduction in river habitat. 

 The Rivers Program has developed a technical corridor planning guide that provides the:

  • river science and societal benefits of managing streams toward equilibrium conditions;
  • methods for assessing and mapping stream geomorphic conditions;
  • methods for identifying and prioritizing river corridor protection and restoration projects;
  • methods for examining project feasibility and negotiating management alternatives; and
  • information on current programs available to Vermont landowners, towns, and other interested parties to implement river corridor protection and restoration projects.    

Through funding and technically supporting the project identification and development process described in the Corridor Planning Guide, the Rivers Program hopes to engage, support, and cost share project implementation with its partners with a more common understanding of current stream and watershed conditions and a more unified commitment to the benefits derived from a fluvial process-based program.   

Corridor Planning Resources

Additional Resources (Fact Sheets)