KEENE VALLEY — Streambed restoration a few feet up from the John's Brook Bridge fit scientific solutions to a ravaged waterway.

Last fall, Tropical Storm Irene forced the river here to levels never before recorded, and floodwater inundated Keene Valley.

The bridge is one of several on Route 73 connecting Keene Valley to points east and west.

It is critical infrastructure in this hamlet.

In Irene's aftermath, engineers from the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Wildlife Service took an extensive look at how river remediation might protect that bridge and surrounding property in the next flood.

It is the first completed on what is an extensive list of civil-engineering works in progress.

The cross-weir they built with a step-pool looks rather ordinary, much like two rocky outcroppings set on opposite sides of a tiny waterfall. The rocks are rectangular and long and reach toward the center channel of the river.

In a couple of years, once mossy with river growth, they could be the perfect place for a kid to fish.

They are manmade repairs, according to Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Fisheries Manager Bill Schock, who explained that creating fish habitat is part of what the repair is designed to do.

A LOT OF RESOURCES

At a press conference Thursday, Schock said the structure protects both the environment and the bridge, along with homes nearby.

"It builds fish habitat and aims the stream's energy toward the center (underneath) the bridge," he said.

The riverbank has also been piled with stone to mitigate erosion, allowing high water to clear debris in any eventual flood.

Schock said they are working on three other locations nearby, building similar structures, each tuned to the unique twists and channels of John's Brook and the Ausable River.

Keene Supervisor Bill Ferebee said the Beede Road Bridge is still a concern.

But Schock said that project is on the table.

"I think we've got a breakthrough to get that done this year."

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens introduced leaders of the joint DEC, State Department of Transportation, Adirondack Park Agency and Fish and Wildlife team that has spent months evaluating, measuring and triaging river remediation projects.

DEC has been sending teams into the field since flooding in late August.

"A lot of resources have been made available to address (river remediation)," Martens said.

COMMON GROUND

Combining efforts with Empire State Development, DEC established two grant programs to help both businesses and communities rebuild.

The first pool of money makes $9 million available in a Flood Mitigation Program, which would build structures similar to the cross-weir at John's Brook.

The second $21 million comes from the Business Flood Recovery Grant Program.

The funding opportunities direct both state and federal monies to local government.

On Thursday, Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Randy Douglas commended Martens for providing both personnel and environmentally sound solutions to river repair.

He said they have worked closely with DEC engineers to understand what needs to be accomplished.

"Joe is reaching out to every community," Douglas said. "Joe has been a leader, trying to find common ground" between environmental and public-safety concern.

WORKING TOGETHER

State lawmakers were also on hand to review the completed project.

Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) and Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward both said the long-term response to flood damage here is promising.

"The EPA has been wonderful and will be back in the spring," Little said.

"I visited with three business on this road (Thursday), and they're very pleased. The most impressive thing was the number of people working together."

Keene Valley resident Henrietta Jordan asked Martens if DEC would be looking at emergency work done on John's Brook farther upstream.

She said riverbank stabilization and waterway clearing after Irene created "channelization," pointing the water's force toward town.

"Any chance of restoring the river upstream?" she asked. "I would hate to see your great investment here wiped out."

'DIGGING IN'

Keene Valley resident Vinny McClelland, who owns the Mountaineer, an outfitter on Route 73, said initial work done on the rivers was out of concern for public safety.

"I'm delighted, Joe," he told Martens, "that you guys are digging in here."

"All of the agencies are to be commended," Sayward said. "But the emphasis this time is on what can we do for prevention."

Douglas said Essex County lawmakers will hold a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Board of Supervisors' conference room at Essex County Government Center in Elizabethtown to prioritize remediation projects and develop a grant request list.

DEC remediation grants are funneled through the county.

Email Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com