Pittsburg Woods Roads Mostly Open
By Gary Moore
The access roads and stream crossings that provide public access to the Connecticut Lakes Natural Area, the largest N.H. Fish and Game Wildlife Management Area, are now open following extensive storm-damage repairs including the entirety of East Inlet Road in Pittsburg, which provides motorized access to Boundary Pond and Rhubarb Pond.
East Inlet Road, however, will temporarily close north of the 6-mile marker during the week of August 25 or the first week of September to replace one final bridge.
Like so many others, Linda and I have traversed most of the roads now back open as we fished, hiked and canoed the area over the last 55 years of our marriage. To say Pittsburg, it lakes, ponds, streams and forests are special is an understatement
You may remember the severe rain events in July of last year caused extensive damage throughout the 25,000 acre CLNA. Three bridges, along with approximately 41 other stream crossings, needed to be replaced on the CLNA after this storm. NH Fish and Game staff worked with FEMA, contractors, and other state agencies over the past year to secure funding, purchase materials, and begin making the necessary repairs.
Fish and Game said restorations are expected to be completed on Beaman North Road, East Inlet Road, B. Covil Spur Road, Third Lake Extension, and Perry Stream Road this summer. Next summer, repairs are expected to be completed on Ingersoll Brook Road and Scott Bog Spur Road.
Nearly all stream crossing replacements involve upsizing culverts or installing larger bridges with more clearance underneath to allow for the passage of a greater volume of water, which will reduce the chances of these crossings washing out again in the future.
Those hundred year floods now come every couple of years and rebuilding better is the only answer.
I hope that Linda and I will be able to head to Pittsburg soon to check out some of the repairs and cast a line in Boundary Pond.