Breakheart Tributary Obstruction Removal
A group of us gathered on the morning of June 17, 2024 at Breakheart Pond to undertake a project that was described by our RIDEM partner and project leader, Corey Pelletier, as the beginning of the restoration of connectivity of the Breakheart watershed. He also confirmed that a healthy population of brook trout will benefit from our efforts. The tributary to Breakheart Pond (it does not have an official name) flows approximately two miles before it reaches the pond. Breakheart Pond flows into Breakkeart Brook which flows through the Flat, Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers. Wow! It was already a beautiful June morning in Arcadia and Corey pushed the right buttons to energize the nice turnout of volunteers to get on with the task of the day.
Before we set out from the parking lot, Corey emphasized the importance of staying safe in the water, particularly while using the grip hoist to pry large rocks out of the blockage. He urged everyone to work “slow and steady” while using the various tools we would employ – the grip hoist (purchased with a grant from Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council in 2022), pry bars and shovels. Glenn Place also added a summary of the funding options for the projects RITU is pursuing to restore connectivity within Breakheart, and he explained how RITU will work closely with RIDEM to define a fun and informative recreation area that will be developed around the site after completion of stream restoration projects.
The project site was not far from the Breakheart Pond walkway/dam and we had plenty of volunteers to handle the workload. We not only had RITU and RIDEM represented, but volunteers were there from AE Engineering and Save the Bay. What a great example of “like-minded” organizations working together toward a common goal.
When we saw the task at hand it was clear that the star of the show would be the grip hoist. Various helpers rotated in and out of the water to assist, all under Corey’s instruction, about what had to be moved and where it should go. Lawson’s expertise with the grip hoist was invaluable and Greg’s considerable experience with a heavy pry bar was evident. His ability to dislodge some very large rocks was impressive, to say the least.
By the time the obstruction was cleared (a couple of hours) everyone pitched in to get the job done. The sights and sounds of flowing water and a clear path for the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontenalis) to spawn was our reward for a job well done!
Breakheart Tributary flowing freely for brook trout passage.
Breakheart tributary three days after removing the obstruction.
