Our Restoration and Stewardship Projects
PRWC protects and restores instream habitats and streambanks along multiple stretches of river prioritized based on scientific data. Interested in getting involved in our restoration and stewardship projects? Let us know!
Stay informed about upcoming volunteer opportunities with PRWC by visiting our events page, following us on social media, and subscribing to our e-newsletter!
Aquatic Invasive Species Management
PRWC is working to restore the health and recreational functioning of Lake Stibbs in Southbury by eradicating an infestation of European water chestnut, an invasive aquatic plant that is spreading throughout New England’s watershed (including the Pomperaug Watershed) outcompeting native aquatic plants, diminishing water quality, and inhibiting recreation.
In 2022, PRWC supported a project to treat the infestation with an approved aquatic herbicide to reduce the plant population enough that it that would be able to be managed solely by hand-pulling in subsequent years. In summer 2024, PRWC volunteers and staff were successful in manually removing over 155 bushels (approx. 3,800 lbs) of European water chestnut plants and seeds from Lake Stibbs and the downstream systems of Transylvania Brook, Pomperaug River, and Lake Zoar through 4 water chestnut pulling days, 3 paddling programs, and a stream walk.
PRWC will continue to remove and document the spread of European water chestnut in Lake Stibbs and downstream in working to reach its goal of complete eradication of this species in the Pomperaug Watershed.
Riparian Buffer Installation at Lake Stibbs
With generous grant funding from the Southbury Community Trust Fund, PRWC and community volunteers installed a vegetative riparian buffer and educational signage at Lake Stibbs in Southbury in 2022.
This project aimed to curb elevated levels of bacteria in the lake (as a result of waterfowl droppings) by deterring geese from the shoreline and absorbing and filtering polluted stormwater runoff. Over two days in early July 2022, PRWC staff and volunteers helped plant 400 native plants and shrubs along approximately 350 ft. of shoreline at Lake Stibbs.
PRWC continues to maintain and add to this riparian buffer each season to improve the water quality of Lake Stibbs and downstream.
Demonstration Rain Garden to Reduce Runoff
Over the course of four extremely hot and humid days, our 2018 Youth Conservation Corps dug and shaped the 1000 square foot bed of the garden and planted it with 350 native plants. Placed in a highly visible location along a busy state road, the Community House Park garden and interpretive signage serves as a demonstration site for all to visit and to learn about the functions and benefits of rain gardens.
This particular rain garden has the ability to capture approximately 7500 gallons of stormwater in a 1-inch rainstorm (390,000 gallons/year). By giving this water a place to infiltrate into the soil, the rain garden also reduces the load of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the stream respectively by 2.2 lbs/year and 0.4 lbs/year.
Funding for the project was made possible through a Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program grant administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. Generous in-kind support was provided by the Town of Southbury and Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery and Landscaping.
Cedarland Park Riparian Buffer Restoration
In 2013, Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition’s Stream Committee identified Cedarland Park as an ideal location for creating a model riparian buffer. Riparian buffers help absorb and slow the flow of rising water during flood conditions, reduce stream bank erosion, provide shade for the river, and provide food and habitat for wildlife. After much hard work and dedication on the parts of PRWC, community partners and volunteers, the main project, which included invasive plant removal and replanting the river and stream banks with native vegetation, was completed in Summer 2016.
In-Stream Habitat Restoration at BOTR
A half mile stretch of the Pomperaug River that flows through the Audubon Center at the Bent of the River (BOTR) in Southbury was the site of a highly successful project to restore in-stream habitat. Decades ago, this stretch of the river was channelized, or straightened. This caused significant changes to the natural flow of the river which greatly reduced habitat diversity. PRWC and BOTR Audubon Center worked together to restore this stretch of the river by introducing pieces of large woody debris into the stream environment to provide habitat for aquatic life and recreate the dynamic system of pools, riffles, and runs that once characterized the area.