After several decades of absence, restoration of the Mianus River in the Mianus River Park in Stamford and Greenwich was rekindled by the Mianus Chapter in 2008.
Working with the city of Stamford, the state DEP and other partners, the Mianus Chapter orchestrated what became known as the "Mianus River Pilot Project." While the main goal of the project was to restore a section of river heavily damaged and eroded by the floods in April 2007, another goal was to use the project as an educational tool, showing how the river can be repaired for the enjoyment of all park users.
To repair the eroded bank, the chapter installed a series of stone vanes jutting upstream into the current. The vanes work to push the main current away from the river bank. A secondary result is that the vanes cause the river to scour out deep pools in the river, creating vital habitat for trout.
The chapter returned the following year to complete the work, planting native vegetation in a newly added fence enclosure which provides a chance for the new growth to take root. A hardened access trail down to the river has also been added, allowing fishermen and other park visitors access to the river itself without damaging the fragile stream bank.
The chapter has also identified several areas where other bank stabilization projects are needed, and plans to tackle these locations one at a time in the coming years.
To join the restoration effort, contact Jeff Yates to be added to the volunteer list.
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