HOLISTIC STREAM ASSESSMENT/RESTORATION: APPLEBEE BROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
The headwaters of Applebee Brook in Carroll, New Hampshire
“Places like Applebee brook are more about fish than fishing...”
Applebee Brook in Carroll, New Hampshire, isn’t what you would call a great fishery. It is not stocked and the resident brook trout rarely reach 5-inches in length with most falling well below that. In the summer the stream runs low, and sometimes dangerously so, and blowdowns and dense streamside vegetation make fishing difficult.
“Applebee Brook matters because it is an unstocked headwater stream...”
So why should anyone care about Applebee Brook? When we contacted the US Forest Service about it, they said it was a low priority. Admittedly, there are far more important steams in the region any many superior fisheries in the area as well. It is within striking distance of the popular Israel, Ammonoosuc, Zealand, Moose, Saco and Gale Rivers.
Applebee Brook matters because it is a relatively undeveloped and unstocked headwater stream surrounded by National Forest land that provides thermal refuge to fish during warmwater periods, and provides spawning and rearing habitat for juvenile wild native brook trout.
AN ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY WHILE SEARCHING FOR manmade ROCK DAMS
NFC National Chair Emily Bastian breaching a manmade fish-blocking rock dam on upper Applebee Brook
“Applebee Brook first came to our attention a couple of falls ago while driving the NH backcountry looking for fish-blocking rock dams...”
Applebee Brook first came to our attention a couple of falls ago while driving the NH backcountry looking for fish-blocking rock dams left by recreationists as part of a NFC-wide project. We stumbled on a small dam just downstream of a road crossing that was clearly blocking fish passage.
After breaching the dam the water above dropped a foot or more. As the water receded we noticed several brook trout darting around just upstream of the dam. Within a couple of minutes we noticed that the lower end of the culvert was going dry and that the fish had been trapped.
“Upon inspection, we noticed that while the lower end of culvert was watered before we removed the dam, the water was actually backed partway up the culvert by the dam but not flowing through...”
Upon inspection, we noticed that while the lower end of culvert was watered before we removed the dam, the water was actually backed partway up the culvert by the dam but not flowing through. Water entered the upstream end normally but went through the bottom of the culvert a third of the way in due to excessive rust holes and ran underneath for the rest of the length.
We revisited the culvert several times in the next month or so. Depending on the water level which fluctuates wildly and drops as fast as it goes up, sometimes the lower end of the culvert was dry, sometimes it was flowing but perched at the end, and sometimes it looked as though nothing was wrong.
What was clear was that as an unstocked stream, the culvert was preventing wild native brook trout from going upstream or downstream during low water periods.
NFC would like to see the culvert replaced. Due to heavy rusting, the accumulation of large rocks in the upper third end, and voids between the culvert and the road, the culvert needs to be replaced. Our goal is to influence the design to be as fish-friendly as possible.
A second ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY WHILE Surveying the stream.
Cutting resulting in canopy loss and potential siltation.
While surveying Applebee Brook downstream of the culvert, NFC found a section of stream where trees had been removed from the riparian area as part of a recent real estate sale/resale transaction. In addition to canopy loss which allows more light penetration and can warm the water, we were concerned that the siltation could result from spring run-off and heavy rain events.
NFC is looking to work with the current landowner to plant fast-growing indigenous ground cover and trees to help stabilize the bank and riparian area, and improve/increase canopy.
learning more about the stream.
NFC National Chair Emily Bastian and MA NFC board member Jeff Moore installing temp loggers on Applebee Brook.
To better understand the impact of restricted fish-passage and loss of canopy, NFC installed temperature loggers at two locations upstream and downstream of the culvert. We will monitored the temperatures throughout the summer and fall to ascertain if there is any notable difference above and below the culvert, and whether the water upstream serves as thermal refuge during warm water periods.
Special thanks to MA NFC board member Jeff Moore, ME NFC Chair Larry Bastian, and National Chair Emily Bastian for their hands-on field work. And landowner Andrew Klein for allowing us to place a logger on his property.
A juvenile wild native brook trout from the headwaters of Applebee Brook.