Sugar River, NRCS NH

Newport, New Hampshire

D&K engineers, through an assignment for on-call Soil Conservation services with NRCS, performed site investigation, design, permitting support, and construction observation for river bank stabilization and installation of a shallow wildlife pond on and adjacent to the Sugar River. Riverbank stabilization included the use of natural sub-angular boulders to armor the toe of slope, while providing pockets of shelter for aquatic organisms. Riparian vegetation was restored on the upper bank. Project was completed under the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).

The pond was designed and built with zones of varied depth and vegetation. A rounded L-shape was designed to blend naturally into the landscape and avoid an adjacent wetland. Wetland delineation was performed for avoidance, minimization, permitting, and mitigation purposes. A landscape plan was developed to help stabilize and restore the riverbank and to provide native vegetation that provided wildlife value at the pond. The scope of services included field survey, wetland delineation, soil test pits, hydraulic modeling, plans, specifications, cost estimate, permitting support, construction quality assurance guidance, and an operation and maintenance plan.