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River Conservation Opportunities in Northeastern Vermont: A Scoping Study of Wild & Scenic Designation for the Clyde River
Applegate, Ben
Applegate, Ben
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Abstract
The Clyde River flows from Island Pond to Lake Memphremagog through the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and is recognized for its scenic character, fisheries, wetlands, and recreational opportunities. This scoping study evaluated the potential for pursuing designation of the Clyde River under the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers (PWSR) program by assessing the river’s outstandingly remarkable values and community interest in a locally led conservation framework.
The study identified an interconnected suite of geomorphic, ecological, fisheries, and recreational values. The Clyde River is distinguished by its glacially derived landscape, extensive wetlands, strong floodplain connectivity, and lake-influenced hydrology. The upper corridor supports significant floodplain and wetland complexes including cedar swamps, marshes, and peatlands that provide important biodiversity and climate resilience functions. Fisheries assessments highlighted the river’s intact thermal continuum, supporting cold-water brook trout habitat upstream and productive cool-water / warm-water fisheries downstream. Temperature monitoring between 2012 and 2025 detected no system-wide warming trend. Recreation along the river includes paddling, fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, and outdoor education and remains closely tied to local culture and stewardship traditions.
Survey and interview results indicated strong baseline support for exploring Partnership Wild and Scenic designation, although concerns regarding regulation and property rights remain important considerations. Overall, the findings suggest that the Clyde River possesses a compelling combination of outstandingly remarkable values and community interest that warrant further consideration under the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers program.
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2026-05-08
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Field Naturalist Program