Haines River Corridor Easement

Worcester, Vermont

North Branch of the Winooski

Wildlife & Watershed Protection

Conservation land, not open to the public. Please respect private landowners.

A riverfront easement that lets the North Branch of the Winooski River meander through the Worcester bottomlands.

Dogs not allowed No cell service

Public access: No

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Haines River Corridor Easement Worcester, Vermont North Branch of the Winooski

Description
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Haines River Corridor Easement

The North Branch of the Winooski River flows off the steep slopes of the Worcester Range and Woodbury Range, then becomes more gradual just upstream of Worcester. The river begins to meander through farmland, carving sweeping, braided channels across the valley. Each bend helps slow water during floods, which filters out sediment and debris, creating healthier fish habitat and cleaner drinking water for downstream communities. Unfortunately, in many areas of Vermont these valley-bottom rivers have been straightened-out by roads, dams, and development.

Thankfully, near Worcester multiple landowners have all worked with Vermont River Conservancy to protect the North Branch, making sure the river will always run its naturally meandering course. The Haines property is the first of several river corridor easements that, together, provide important wildlife habitat and floodplain protections above and below the village of Worcester.