Projects

Project Description

CEI used green, nature based solutions to assist the Town of Hatfield through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HGMP) with stabilization of approximately 300 linear feet of riverbank area along the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, originating from the Connecticut Lakes in New Hampshire before flowing south along the border between New Hampshire and Vermont and into Massachusetts. The project was funded by a HMGP grant administered by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). 

This section of riverbank loss was situated directly adjacent to a 100-year flood protection levee which protects a significant portion of the downtown area of the Town of Hatfield. The primary project goal was to stabilize the riverbank using bioengineering practices to prevent further bank loss and loss of the flood levee, enhancing the Town’s resilience. Green solutions were designed to restore wildlife habitat similar to natural conditions while stabilizing the area to protect against further bank loss. Stabilizing these areas will prevent sediment transfer to the river, thus helping to improve water quality by reducing Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the water.

Work included regrading and limited filling of the existing bank, and the installation of bioengineered controls to protect against natural erosion primarily caused by river flow. Project components included stabilizing existing dead and live trees, brush layering with erosion control fabric, geotextile fabric held in place by live plantings, and installation of trees, live stakes, and other native vegetation designed to mimic natural conditions.