Letting Rivers Flow Again | Montpelier News

A massive 220-foot landslide along Vermont’s Green River wasn’t just nature’s wrath—it was the unintended consequence of human intervention. Years ago, a farmer built a berm to protect his field from floods, but during Tropical Storm Irene, it funneled the river into a narrow channel, turning it into a force that tore through the slope. Now, instead of rebuilding the wall, locals are deliberately cutting holes in the berm to let the river reclaim its floodplain—slowing water, depositing sediment naturally, and stabilizing the slope. They’re even planting wet-loving trees to reinforce the land long-term. This isn’t just local repair—it’s part of a national shift toward working with rivers, not against them. Scientists are embracing natural elements like fallen logs as water-slowing allies, recognizing that letting rivers flow freely creates resilience against future storms. It’s messy, it’s slow, but it’s smarter than ever before. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/6f357827425d8221