Just as we were putting the finishing touches on an episode about Vermont rivers and streams, historic flooding ravaged the state. Our rivers weren’t always this fast, deep or powerful — we made them this way. And efforts to bring them closer to a more natural state are vital to build future resiliency.

Visit vermontpublic.org/flood for ongoing reporting about the flooding and recovery efforts. And check out the web version of this episode here.

Thanks to Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier for the great and timely question.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Bill Keeton, Mary and Greg Russ, Ellen Wohl, Will Elridge, Skip Lisle, and Elizabeth Trail.

This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp. Josh Crane edited and produced it, with help from Mae Nagusky. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.