Barkhamsted River Stabilization for Farmington River

As Phase I of this project, Princeton Hydro was contracted by the Farmington River Coordinating Committee (FRCC) to assess the river banks in the Wild & Scenic Section of the West Branch Farmington River that are adjacent to roadways, identify and prioritize failing or eroding banks, and develop conceptual designs and construction cost estimates for addressing the high priority sites. The points where “river meets road” were prioritized because normal river processes can threaten public road infrastructure.

This effort represented a proactive approach by the FRCC to identify potential problem sites and to find solutions that enhance, rather than degrade, the river while protecting public road infrastructure. Conventional attempts to protect road infrastructure are often undertaken without an understanding of river processes and thus result in degradation of natural resource functions and values.

In Phase I, Princeton Hydro identified approximately 500 linear feet of river bank along the West Branch Farmington River in the Town of Barkhamsted that was eroded. If unaddressed, the erosion could jeopardize an adjacent road.

In 2019, Princeton Hydro was subsequently contracted for Phase II of the project by the Town of Barkhamsted to complete an engineering design for the 500 linear foot bank stabilization. Because the stabilization occurred on a Wild & Scenic section of the West Branch Farmington River, the Farmington River Coordinating Committee, National Parks Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were involved as additional partners. This phase began with an initial site assessment completed in conjunction with the land survey. The survey was used to inform a hydrologic and hydraulic assessment, which in turn informed the design of the bank stabilization as well as ensuring the proposed design did not adversely impact flooding in the area. The final engineering design included stabilization of the undercut bank toe with a mechanically compacted naturalized mixture of boulders, cobbles, and gravels.

Princeton Hydro is currently contracted to assist the Town of Barkhamsted in obtaining permits required for construction. Once the permits are obtained, Princeton Hydro is expected to be involved in the bid support and construction oversight of the designed project.