Stream Smart is a training program and resource developed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Maine Audubon in 2011 for anyone interested in planning, designing, or constructing road-stream crossings. The program is structured for participants to learn more about why and how to design and install ecologically-beneficial and climate-resilient crossings. Stream Smart road crossings are designed to let the stream flow naturally beneath them.

 

Mass Rivers hosted the in-person Stream Smart Training at the MassWildlife Headquarters in Westborough, MA on October 15th, 2026. This workshop included a site visit to the DER culvert training site in Hopkinton, MA. Resources and recordings from this training will be up on our website soon.

 

We are hosting an accompanying set of webinars to the training that cover other aspects of culvert replacement. The webinars will be on Thursdays this fall, and the topic schedule is as follows:

1. October 22- Culvert asset management systems and prioritization for repair or replacement

2. October 29- Overview of permitting and approval processes for culvert replacement in MA

3. November 5- Closer look at the permitting processes required through MassDEP

4. November 12- USGS's new Stream Crossing Tool for culvert assessment and replacement

5. November 19- Funding options for culvert replacement: Part 1

6. December 3- Funding options for culvert replacement: Part 2- DOT grants + a Q&A with someone from the Ch. 85 program

7. December 10- Technical assistance, tools, and grants available through Division of Ecological Restoration

 

You can register for the culvert webinars at the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ib75AXuoSE2zBZfuc6MwVg