Researchers from the University of Vermont are raising concerns about Burlington's Riverside Avenue and potential future landslides.The new study was published earlier this week and scientists are saying that it's even more important for Burlingtonians to see after this week's historic rain in the North East Kingdom."It's actually really urgent to start this conversation now because otherwise we have a dozen buildings on this slope, any one of which over the next decade or two decades could land in the river," said Paul Bierman, professor of natural resources at UVM.For example, one part of Riverside Ave has nearly doubled in erosion since doctoral candidate, Bella Bennett, and Bierman were there last winter."We basically have the slope slumped by a foot and a half here, and when we were here last winter, it was maybe eight inches," said Bennett.Both researchers are involved with the Gund Institute for the Environment through the University of Vermont's Rubenstein School of Natural Resources.They began a study in 2020 to learn more about the history of landslides on Riverside Ave. Bennett said she was surprised by what she's uncovered."I found record of at least 20 in the last 70 years, since 1952," said Bennett.The team shared photos with NBC5 of the 1955 landslide, which had reached across Riverside to where Hillside Terrace currently begins. "The records show that that was filled with 700 junked cars and then sand was put on top and then they rebuilt the road," said Bennett.Repairing that damage included expanding the land between Riverside and the Winooski River. However, it wasn't a permanent fix as erosion and small landslides continue to happen.One of the most recent landslides was in 2019 after an October rain event hit the Queen City.Over the years, plans for a 65-bed housing complex seemingly came to a halt, Bennet said partially due to the landslide risk.As more fill has been brought into the area, a lot of it has continued to fall down the bank towards the river. Fill includes numerous materials including old cars, gravel, various organic materials, and dirt. The erosion is causing concerns in the community, especially for nearby homes and businesses."A lot of these are like small local businesses and family-owned," said Bennett. "Now they're in this position where they might own this property without having known what they were getting themselves into."For example, according Scott Gustin, Burlington's Principal Planner & Zoning Division Manager, 389 Riverside Ave is currently going through a FEMA buyout process because of the landslides.Bierman shared a photo he took in 2019 of that same property on the edge of the slope's damage.He said that now, there's a lot of options to consider on how to prevent more landslides in the future."You can amend slopes as an engineer, done right," said Bierman. "It's expensive and it requires calculations and it requires compaction, equipment and drainage and all those things. We can stabilize slopes."Another idea is to bring the area back to a more natural habitat by removing some of the properties near the edge of the slope."If you think about looking at this space we're staring out here, which is now gravel and concrete and buildings and asphalt, think about that as forest floor," said Bierman. "And, think about it with trees like the ones behind us that have roots, that extend ten or 20 feet out and three or four feet down."Ultimately, Bierman and Bennett said that any move forward will require more conversations and public outreach with the community to find what will fit best.
BURLINGTON, Vt. —
Researchers from the University of Vermont are raising concerns about Burlington's Riverside Avenue and potential future landslides.
The new study was published earlier this week and scientists are saying that it's even more important for Burlingtonians to see after this week's historic rain in the North East Kingdom.
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"It's actually really urgent to start this conversation now because otherwise we have a dozen buildings on this slope, any one of which over the next decade or two decades could land in the river," said Paul Bierman, professor of natural resources at UVM.
For example, one part of Riverside Ave has nearly doubled in erosion since doctoral candidate, Bella Bennett, and Bierman were there last winter.
"We basically have the slope slumped by a foot and a half here, and when we were here last winter, it was maybe eight inches," said Bennett.
Both researchers are involved with the Gund Institute for the Environment through the University of Vermont's Rubenstein School of Natural Resources.
They began a study in 2020 to learn more about the history of landslides on Riverside Ave. Bennett said she was surprised by what she's uncovered.
"I found record of at least 20 in the last 70 years, since 1952," said Bennett.
The team shared photos with NBC5 of the 1955 landslide, which had reached across Riverside to where Hillside Terrace currently begins.
"The records show that that was filled with 700 junked cars and then sand was put on top and then they rebuilt the road," said Bennett.
Repairing that damage included expanding the land between Riverside and the Winooski River. However, it wasn't a permanent fix as erosion and small landslides continue to happen.
One of the most recent landslides was in 2019 after an October rain event hit the Queen City.
Over the years, plans for a 65-bed housing complex seemingly came to a halt, Bennet said partially due to the landslide risk.
As more fill has been brought into the area, a lot of it has continued to fall down the bank towards the river. Fill includes numerous materials including old cars, gravel, various organic materials, and dirt. The erosion is causing concerns in the community, especially for nearby homes and businesses.
"A lot of these are like small local businesses and family-owned," said Bennett. "Now they're in this position where they might own this property without having known what they were getting themselves into."
For example, according Scott Gustin, Burlington's Principal Planner & Zoning Division Manager, 389 Riverside Ave is currently going through a FEMA buyout process because of the landslides.
Bierman shared a photo he took in 2019 of that same property on the edge of the slope's damage.
He said that now, there's a lot of options to consider on how to prevent more landslides in the future.
"You can amend slopes as an engineer, done right," said Bierman. "It's expensive and it requires calculations and it requires compaction, equipment and drainage and all those things. We can stabilize slopes."
Another idea is to bring the area back to a more natural habitat by removing some of the properties near the edge of the slope.
"If you think about looking at this space we're staring out here, which is now gravel and concrete and buildings and asphalt, think about that as forest floor," said Bierman. "And, think about it with trees like the ones behind us that have roots, that extend ten or 20 feet out and three or four feet down."
Ultimately, Bierman and Bennett said that any move forward will require more conversations and public outreach with the community to find what will fit best.
