HomeMy Public PortalAboutMiller_#1_rt 6a culvertRt. 6A at Paines Creek
Salt marsh restoration project
The Stony Brook project is an example of a watershed-
based approach to restoration. From the beginning, the
Town and its partners looked at the restoration and
protection needs of the entire watershed and undertook
actions to address these needs
Flow restrictions that affected herring run and the
ability of the salt marsh to thrive with limited extent of
salt water reaching the upper marsh
Old culvert under Rt 6A
Rt 6A at Stony Brook today
Im
Additional actions taken in the Stony Brook watershed included
assessing stormwater runoff, addressing discharges, acquiring open
space for habitat and buffers, and restoring beach and dune habitat
following managed retreat of a beach parking lot.
Results of three years of post-installation monitoring:
• Salt marsh plant coverage has increased from 71% before restoration to 91% following
restoration;
• Rare salt marsh plant cover has increased (Spartina cynosuroides, Lilaeopsis chinensis);
• Stands of Phragmites australis have decreased in area, height and density near the new
culvert;
• Herring are able to migrate in large schools through the new larger culvert, compared to
small groups before restoration;
• Tidal flow and tidal elevation have increased and tidal flooding now occurs nearly
simultaneously on both sides of the highway;
• Restored tidal flow appears to have fostered sediment input to the marsh, a process
which helps to build and maintain the salt marsh plain
Freemans Pond Culvert
Drainage Improvements
Freemans
Pond culvert
today