The history of humans on the Winooski River is vast, from indigenous culture to large constructions of dams and salmon elevators. Below is a picture of the gorge in 1847 that was later replaced by another that is much more modern. The area was much different and now you could not walk through the center of the river as it’s very deep in that area now. The use of this portion of the river was largely for milling and not as much recreation. As time went on the area built up more and more adding dams, a quarry, modern bridges, and much more for human use. Now the area is used for transportation of goods via the bridge and maintaining the bridge and dams as there are buildings and heavy machinery. The construction of the dam changed the water levels and changed the structure of the river greatly. Recreational use of this area has improved as well with the Winooski riverwalk being created and the trails mapping all the way to the train tracks where there is no trespassing.
Photograph citation:
Easterly, Thomas M. (Thomas Martin), 1809-1882, “High Bridge Across Winooski River,” Digital Vermont: A Project of the Vermont Historical Society, accessed December 6, 2020, https://digitalvermont.org/index.php/items/show/1103.