Sewall Study

Following the 1998 ice storm the James W. Sewall Company conducted an inventory of forests on town land in Eaton. Based on aerial photographs taken in the summer of 1999 and a systematic on the ground survey in May 2000 they prepared a report describing the forest in terms of tree species, height, and density. They also collected forest fire/fuel load data using the Community Forestry Ice Storm Damage Assessment form. They determined that nearly 80% of the property had medium fire potential. 

Their report provided several recommendations for helping the forest recover from the damage caused by the ice storm.. It also emphasized the importance of establishing and maintaining a system of all weather roads for harvesting mature trees, non-income producing operations such as pre-commercial thinning, and for emergency access for fire protection. Specific recommendations were included for each forest management unit.

The report noted areas of special interest including the blueberry fields below Foss Mountain and active beaver-created wetlands. Aquatic species such as beaver, muskrat, otter, along with mink utilize beaver flowages. White tail deer, moose, black bear, ruffed grouse, raccoon, snowshoe hare, and many amphibians are associated with active flowages. Other noted areas include vernal pools, deer wintering yards, and stands of old growth forest.

The map below shows many of these features. clicking on any feature will display more information about it.

An ice damage assessment was conducted as part of the Sewall study.  It determined that roughly 10% of the forest sustained high levels of damage, 40% moderate damage, and 50% low damage. The map below shows the level of ice damage in town forests. Darker shades of yellow correspond to greater levels of ice damage.