Reducing Flooding Risk and Maintaining Ecosystem Services in a Wetter New England
| Authors: | Jenna Zukswert, Keith Nislow |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Type: | Miscellaneous |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| Source: | FS |
Abstract
Developed river corridors, resistant bedrock, steep channels, and confined valleys predispose New England to flooding. The region has experienced substantial flooding in recent years, which may continue due to rising temperatures and increased precipitation. To reduce future flooding, intervention is necessary.
In a recent publication, research biologist Keith Nislow, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station, and colleagues introduced “Slow the Flow for Climate Resilience” (SFCR), a strategy that municipalities and practitioners can adopt to manage floods and reduce risk to human communities while maintaining and restoring key ecosystem services, such as fish and wildlife habitat. Broadly, the SFCR concept connects the ability of landscapes to store water naturally to predicted changes in hydrology due to climate change. More specifically, an SFCR strategy involves reconsidering infrastructure placement and restoring floodplain forest environments.
The research team integrated two simulation models to demonstrate the potential impact of an SFCR strategy for Otter Creek, a watershed in Vermont. Using the combined model, the team compared the impact of restoring floodplain forests along the river to eliminating those forests under current and forecasted future climate conditions.