The Batten Kill is a 59.4-mile-long river that flows from East Dorset, through Manchester, Sunderland, and Arlington before entering New York and eventually into the Hudson River. It is adored by trout fisher-people across the region and beyond and is named by Vermont Fish & Wildlife as “one of New England’s most iconic trout fishing rivers and is considered by many to be the home of fly fishing.” Folks from all over New England and the world come to the Batten Kill for recreation, and especially fishing (see below: the Batten Kill Fly Fishing Festival in May). The river is very well known for the brown trout and brook trout. These species of fish are quite sensitive to habitat degradation and their populations have been greatly affected as human development grows alongside rivers (“State of Trout”, Trout Unlimited). Past efforts to preserve the Batten Kill watershed is what makes the river so special and unique, but there is more to be done.
Invasive plants are common in riparian zones due to human-caused disturbances, which encourages an ongoing cycle of disturbances. Established invasive communities in riparian zones result in degraded forest structure, stream habitat, and soil composition. For example, invasive plants in the Batten Kill watershed such as Japanese Knotweed typically produce less leaf litter resulting in higher rates of overland water flow due to the correlation between soil organic matter and infiltration rates. Another invasive, Asiatic Bittersweet, thrives in riparian zones where it attacks and kills native forest structures and therefore degrades centuries-old riparian barriers. Factors associated with higher rates of invasive plants, such as low soil organic matter and weak stream structure, have negative implications for native fish and wildlife habitat.
Batten Kill CISMA members do what they can to prevent the establishment of invasive species in the watershed through a multi-tiered approach. Prevention through education and monitoring are crucial, where we ask landowners to participate in our iNaturalist project and management efforts. Management of already established species takes time and repeated, consistent efforts through yearly invasive removals and native plantings. We care and love the Batten Kill, just like you, and hope you can continue to join us in further efforts. Read more below on how you can be active within the CISMA!