Shop sustained critical damage and is still being assessed
Black Rock Forest continues to deal with the damage left behind by the July 9 torrential rain event which dumped between four and eight inches of precipitation and flooded streets, homes, and bodies of water which just couldn’t handle the volume in such a short period of time. On July 10, forest staff watched as the recently renovated Lumber Barn was demolished. The Shop also sustained critical damage, the extent of which is still being assessed.
“The buildings served as a base of operations for our Forest Conservation programs,” Executive Director Isabel Ashton said. The Lumber Barn held hand tools and equipment for planting and cutting trees, building fences, producing signs, and maintaining trails and roads. We stored lumber in the barn, historic tools and equipment, and freezers with scientific specimens. The Shop served as a garage, woodshop, and equipment storage facility.”
The Shop was constructed in 1928 and the Lumber Barn was built in 1954 and has been remodeled over the last two years.
As the rain poured down, the waters of the Canterbury Creek raged as they passed the Black Rock Forest structures. Unfortunately, the water was moving so rapidly it couldn’t make the turn and instead smashed into the wall of the Shop and took out the Lumber Barn.
From that point, the flow of the stream shifted, but has since been corrected. Forest manager Matt Brady received permission from the Department of Environmental Conservation to place rocks along the banks to divert the water away from the property and restore the stream to its natural state.
Damage to the Lumber Barn was so severe there was concern it would collapse into the Canterbury Creek and cause additional damage to infrastructure. The demolition was supervised by the Cornwall Highway Department and Quality Auto Body and Highland Engine Company provided manpower and equipment.
Financial loss from the Shop and Lumber Barn is estimated to be greater than half a million dollars. Additional recovery costs are expected as losses include the buildings, bridges, tools, and irreplaceable scientific samples, historic artifacts from the beginning of the research forest, and milled lumber from special and historic trees in Black Rock Forest.
Heavily used trails and foot bridges sustained severe damage, impacting students, researchers and the public. Many stream crossings have been washed away.
“Black Rock Forest is continuing to assess the storm damage to our buildings, hiking trails and forest roads,” Ashton said. “Our main entrance road is open to the Science Center and Forest Lodge. Hikers should exercise caution as trails have been impacted by erosion and downed trees.”
Those who visit the forest can expect to encounter fallen trees, downed tree limbs and erosion which may make trails more difficult to navigate or impassable. Trail bridges may be severely damaged or missing. Visitors are asked to exercise extreme caution over the next few weeks as work is conducted to clear the roads and trails.
Priority is being given to emergency repairs of critical infrastructure. Forest Manager Matt Brady and Black Rock Forest staff are working to clear debris, repair roadways, and stabilize the damaged structures.
The main parking lot at Black Rock Forest is temporarily closed. Caution is advised.
