STREAM OF A NEW BEGINNING

Windmill Branch Stream Restoration project makes progress

Beginning in the spring of 2021, the Town of Easton Engineering team took on the project of restoring the Windmill Branch stream that runs behind Easton High School and the adjacent community along Bridge Street.

Due to increased storm intensity the stream experienced an increased water flow and began eroding which caused it to change shape and further exacerbate the issue. The stream has been steadily widening into the properties of nearby home owners and if allowed to continue this issue would only grow and get worse. Additionally, this erosion and waterflow has caused higher than usual amounts of sediment and nutrients to be carried into local waterways.

Town Engineer Rick VanEmburgh and Project Manager Kody Cario stepped in and have worked towards turning this problem around. They first bid out the project to design firms who could scope out the project and design a suitable path to take that would bring the stream back to its natural state.

They also bid out the large-scale digging work to construction companies who could accomplish the execution of the design. They settled on Ecotone, a Maryland based company that specializes in stream restoration construction. With Ecotone onboard, Rick and Kody kept in close contact with them to ensure that the project had been going smoothly and that everything was on track.

Once the digging is complete, they will begin revegetation of the area which will bring plants, trees, and grasses back to the stream banks to help it to remain stable and natural.

It is estimated that the project is 60% complete and should see stream construction completed by the end of May, and planting completed this fall.