Rich Chmiel, Vice-President, CWA (left) and Dave Lersch (right), Chairman of the CT Chapter of Delta Waterfowl hold and install sign at a recently completed wetland restoration project at the Nehantic State Forest in Lyme. The project was a cooperative effort among the CT DEEP Wildlife Division, CWA and Delta and will restore water to a six-acre area.
The project entailed installing a water control structure that will flood the area and allow water levels to be managed to optimize the growth of aquatic vegetation to benefit waterfowl and other water-dependent wildlife. CWA and Delta purchased and split the cost of the water control structure and sign. The DEEP Wildlife Division's Wetlands Habitat Management installed the structure. Such cooperative efforts facilitate the improvement of  Connecticut's wetlands.
Concise Description of Work
Installation/ attachment of an Agri Drain inlet water control structure (24" P pipe size, 31" width, 18" depth, 36" height) to an existing schedule 80 PVC culvert (24" inside diameter/25" outside diameter) through the use of a 56-2424 coupler. Installation and anchoring of the structure will be done by the CT DEEP WHAMM Program. (Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management) An excavator with a hydraulic hammer will be used to break off pieces of existing rocks (see picture) so that the structure can be installed square to the culvert.
The area around the structure will be backfilled and tamped with material located onsite. The excavator will conduct all work from an existing access road. All vehicles and equipment will be parked on the access road or in the parking area. The materials for the project are being purchased by the Connecticut Delta Waterfowl Chapter and the Connecticut Waterfowl Association and donated to the Wildlife Division.
Manipulation of water levels will be accomplished through the use of weir boards. Water levels will be gradually raised in late summer/early fall, maintained throughout the winter, and gradually lowered in late winter/early spring (all weir boards removed). The approximate area to be inundated is < 6 acres. All maintenance of the structure will be the responsibility of the Migratory Game Bird Program. The project will benefit various waterfowl species.
Scenes of the Existing Site
Aerial View of the Site

Agri Drain Inline Water Level Control Structures™ effectively manage the water table in field, wetland, pond, and a variety of other applications by setting stop logs within the structure to your desired water level height. Management allows for controlled release of outlet flow, retention of valuable nutrients, and effective flood mitigation.
CWA thanks Kelly Kubik and Rich Chmiel for their gracious contributions to this page.
Project Construction
Completed Project