Salmon Hole- The Human Impact December 8th, 2018

The human impact through history is clear at Salmon Hole, with the highly developed area surrounding the Winooski River, trails, and fishing.  With the paved high traffic roads sitting uphill from the site, the idea that runoff would go right into the river isn’t far-fetched.  On my visits, I have noted litter on the side of the road and some throughout the trails around Salmon Hole.  The human interaction that occurs in the area is direct and notable, but not as notable as the past.  Salmon Hole used to be frequented for salmon fishing, hence the name, but now there are regulations that help to protect the fish population, especially during the salmon spawning season.  As well as this, there used to be more large industrial building surrounding the river, which no doubt greatly effected the water quality of the Winooski.  Mills and textile plants outlined the river, especially in the late 1700s and through the 1800s, this was followed by the introduction of hydroelectrics on the Winooski in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The Winooski River and the surrounding area has had a rich and interesting history of human activity that has certainly impacted the ecology of the place in different ways.  But the persistence of the area is clear, with the squirrels, beavers, chickadees, fish, and other animals, the natural space has managed to survive.  It is important to take note from the past of the site and help to perserve it for the future.

 

Source:

https://winooskiriver.org/human-history.php