HARDWICK— For decades, the Inn by the River stood as a fixture of Hardwick. The former site, at 223 Mill Street, now sits vacant at the eastern entrance to downtown Hardwick. The empty landscape is a reminder of flood dynamics and the history of severe flooding. In the 1973 flood, the Lamoille River collapsed the motel on the property. The site was later filled and stabilized, and the existing motel salvaged, continuing to serve the community for nearly 50 more years.
photo courtesy Hardwick Historical Society
In July 2023, history repeated itself. The Lamoille River flooded again, severely eroding the land behind and beneath the Inn by the River. No casualties resulted because the occupants evacuated to the town’s emergency shelter. The structure, however, was partially swept into the flood waters. When the water subsided, the building’s red roof was strewn upon the banks of the Lamoille River. Pieces were found downstream in Wolcott, over five miles from the original location.
photo courtesy Town of Hardwick
The Town of Hardwick collaborated with the property owners to secure funding through the State of Vermont’s Flood Resilient Communities Fund (FRCF) for the acquisition and demolition of the remaining structure. In early July 2024, the remaining debris was removed and transferred to the Coventry landfill. The day after the last section was hauled away, the Lamoille River rose again. The demolition contractor, who had left fencing and equipment on-site, returned at midnight to relocate his excavator. By the next day, more than 100 feet of riverbank had eroded, further altering the site.
The 2024 flooding also impacted nearby properties, including the Jiffy Mart and Hay’s Service Station. Three vehicles were swept away, and in-ground fuel tanks were left dangerously close to the river’s edge. Due to the erosion’s proximity to Routes 15 and 16, the State of Vermont declared the situation a state-level emergency. Temporary bank stabilization was completed on July 24, 2024, at the town’s request.
Plans are currently under development to permanently stabilize the affected area, extending from Hay’s Service Station to the former Inn by the River site. FRCF funding requires the acquired parcel to remain undeveloped, prohibiting future construction on the site.
Initially, the town sought to also create a flood mitigation project at the location. Stantec, an engineering firm hired through a state-wide initiative (RIVER), concluded the property is now too close to Route 15 to allow for a land-based strategy.
photo courtesy Town of Hardwick
Proposed alternative measures include upstream work on the river channel and installing rock deflectors to slow the velocity of the water during a flooding event. Hardwick has been invited to apply for a Hazard Mitigation Grant with full funding for the project if it is selected. Other future land use possibilities include incorporating gardens and trees to enhance the gateway to Hardwick’s downtown.
Kristen Leahy is zoning and floodplain administrator for the Town of Hardwick
