Annand Brook

Annand Brook is a cool, forested stream with strong potential for fish habitat, but its natural structure was altered by historic land use. Through in-stream restoration and ongoing habitat enhancement, SWEPS is working to bring balance back to this important waterway.

About Annand Brook:

Annand Brook is a tributary of Grand Lake within the Shubenacadie Watershed. The brook has a catchment area of 8.4 km², with 14.6 km of linear habitat, and is fed by a named tributary, Slaty Brook. It flows through a mostly forested and undeveloped landscape near Monte Vista Road in Enfield, with cool, high-quality water and strong vegetation buffers.
Though relatively healthy, Annand Brook has been impacted by historical logging and agriculture, which likely straightened and widened its channel. The stream lacks natural meanders and in-stream cover, and many of its pools are shallow. A ruined hydropower dam in the upper portion reflects its industrial past.

Site Information

  • Watercourse: Annand Brook
  • Watershed: Shubenacadie
  • Location: Monte Vista Road, after the gate, at the bridge
  • Nearest Community: Monte Vista / Enfield
  • Road Crossing (Access Point): End of Monte Vista and Rafter Road, past the gates
  • Map Reference (NS Topo 1:50 000): 11D13, Upper Right
  • Coordinates (UTM Zone 20T):
    • Downstream Limit: 453471.95 E, 4978031.29 N
    • Upstream Limit: 452269.21 E, 4978039.15 N

Project Design and Results

  • Total stream length restored: 560 meters
  • Total area improved: 3,300 m²
  • Number of structures installed: 12
    • Each structure includes a headwater rock sill, dug pool, and tailwater rock sill
  • Average spacing between structures: 34.71 meters
  • Design channel width: 5.78 meters

Most Recent Annand Brook News

  • Adopt a Stream 2024 Report

    Over summer 2024, SWEPS completed in-stream restoration on Bennery and Black Brooks, including five new digger logs, bank stabilization, and debris removal. Following major 2023 flooding, restoration crews also assessed fish passage impacts at Laurie and Annand Brooks. The season improved over 800m of stream habitat and 750m² of riparian zone, with support from volunteers,…

  • 2018 Adopt a Stream Report

    SWEPS has released its 2018 Adopt-A-Stream report, highlighting restoration work in the Shubenacadie Watershed. The report outlines project sites, funding sources, and progress on improving aquatic habitats.

See more Annand Brook posts

Future Work and Next Steps

  • Complete remaining Structures 11 and 12
  • Rehabilitate poorly built early headwater sills (Structures 1–4)
  • Tree planting along an open field edge to increase cover (pending resident consultation and fencing)
  • Remove silt fence near the downstream mouth
  • Conduct further HSI assessments beyond the current 1.5 km stretch to assess broader watershed health
  • Enhance thalweg depth, pool quality, and in-stream cover for juvenile fish

Annand Brook Photos

[sweps_recent_photos category=annand-brook]

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