Flood Resilience
Were trails you manage damaged in 2024 floods? Help us help you by filling out this assessment form. Your responses will help us target resource development, funding, and legislative activities. In 2023, a similar effort led to the development of the Flood Recovery track in the VOREC Community Grant Program.
Trail Management in the Face of High Precipitation Events
Hurricane Irene in August 2011 was sobering. An ANR report in early 2012 documented damage to transportation infrastructure, buildings, water supply, public health and safety, and more. In the damage to ‘Forests” section, a few bullet points indicated damage to trails in the Green Mountain National Forest, State Parks and Forests, and on the Long Trail System.
When July and August ‘23 storms pummeled the state, some parts of Vermont received up to 8 inches of rain in a single 24 hour period. Trail managers focused first on helping the communities they live and work in respond to the disaster, using their social media and platforms to send volunteers out to muck out homes and businesses. Once the immediate emergency had diminished, VTGC collaborated with FPR to gather information on damage to trails statewide, resulting in a comprehensive report that eventually led to the Fall ‘23 VOREC Community Grant Program (CGP establishing a Flood Recovery track.
This summer, exactly one year after the July 11, 2023 floods, historic flooding happened again, causing significant damage to extensive, professionally built trail networks in Vermont, including the Green Mountain Club’s Long Trail, Catamount Trail, and Kingdom Trails, among others.
VTGC is working closely with our membership and stakeholders, FPR, and partners to develop a process for how best to develop assessment protocols and resources so that trail managers have the information they need to make difficult decisions: which trails are critical to keep open, those that need to be closed, and how to prioritize when and how to build them back so that they are more resilient to flooding events. Stay tuned.
Planning and Assessing for resilience workshop
VTGC and FPR are working closely to identify key resources to support trail managers as they assess damage and prioritize what trails to build back better, which to close, and how to plan for trail resilience. Want to learn more? Come to the Trail Symposium on September 25 & 26. FPR’s Outdoor Recreation Program Manager is leading a workshop on Planning and Assessing for Resilience.
Lessons Learned
Discover how the Green Mountain Club’s lessons from Tropical Storm Irene helped their trails withstand recent flooding in Vermont. Learn more about their strategies for building resilient trails that can endure extreme weather events.
Flood Resilience News
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Vermont completes first full trail restoration
After years of working with the Green Mountain Club, Vermont has completed its first top-to-bottom restoration of Burrows Trail. Burrows Trail stretches just over two miles up the side of Camel’s Hump Mountain; it’s remained one of Vermont’s most popular trails over its 100-year lifespan, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. But Kathryn Wrigley, who…
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Hikers and cyclists can now cross Vermont on New England’s longest rail trail, a year after floods
A year after epic summer flooding delayed the official opening of New England’s longest rail trail, the 93-mile route across northern Vermont is finally delivering on the promise made years ago of a cross-state recreation trail.
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Vermont Snowmobile trail damages are up to $1 million in repairs and climbing
Check out this short news clip on the extensive damage to VAST trail network.
Trails as Resilient Infrastructure
Learn how trails serve as resilient infrastructure, enhancing communities by providing essential recreational spaces, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting local economies. American Trails provides a guidebook that examines the ways that trails can be resilient.
