THE PREVALENCE AND CONTINUING IMPACT OF HISTORIC CHANNEL MODIFICATION IN NEW ENGLAND WATERSHEDS

The streams that flow across the New England landscape today are highly altered and bear little resemblance to their pre-settlement condition. Historic channel modification was performed from the time of settlement through the early-to-mid 20th century for agriculture, navigation, log drives, and to provide the water power that built the colonial economy. Channel manipulation, in the form of artificial channel straightening, clearing, damming and channelization, has changed the character of the entire stream system, from the headwaters down to the large valley bottom streams. The legacy of these historic modifications continues to impact fluvial processes, influencing sediment transport, while increasing flood inundation and erosion hazards. Field investigations and archival research throughout many New England watersheds reveal a high density of mill dams, canals, and artificially straightened channel networks with implications for watershed management and river restoration.