Whitney Pond Dam Removal & River Restoration Project: Ashburnham

Under a grant from the MA Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), the NRWA is helping to lead outreach and information efforts in Ashburnham in regards to the town's decision to remove the Whitney Pond Dam. The NRWA views dam removal on a case-by-case basis. Each dam, community, and waterway has its own unique set of circumstances that need to be fully understood in the decision-making process. In the end, the decision to repair or remove must be made by the dam owner, in this instance the Town of Ashburnham. Learn more about this project including information about the Whitney Pond Dam, videos of community meetings, plans and permitting documents, and benefits of removal and restoration.

Dam Removals Across New England

Across New England, aging and unsafe dam infrastructure has led to an increase in dam removals. These dam removals can provide significant public safety and ecological benefits, from a reduced risk of flooding to restored river connectivity. Supported by the MA Division of Ecological Restoration, the Nashua River Watershed Association offered educational talks about dam removals in Massachusetts, covering a general overview of why and how unsafe dams are removed, and what changes you might expect to see in your community as a result. Presentations were made possible in part by a grant from the MA Division of Ecological Restoration. View NRWA 2024 Dam Removal Presentation slideshow PDF.

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Using Nature to Adapt to Climate Change in the Nashua River Watershed

The NRWA is working with the communities of Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Groton, Leominster, and Pepperell to understand local climate change issues and ways that we can use Nature-based Solutions to address those issues. Citizen input is key to the process as NRWA, town leadership, and consultants work to identify specific sites and solutions to help each  community become more climate resilient. The concepts developed in these five communities will then be applied to create a Nashua River Watershed Nature-based Solutions Plan with tools accessible to all of our watershed communities. This project is funded by a Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant. Learn more about this project and Nature-based Solutions.

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NRWA 2022 Water Report

The Nashua River Watershed Association is pleased to share our 2022 Water Report.  This new report analyzes the results of our 2022 water monitoring season covering topics such as: what do we study and why? what do the results tell us about the health of our waterways? what sections of rivers or streams are facing water quality challenges? The report is detailed and provides supporting images, graphs, and charts. 

Thank you as always to our team of volunteer water monitors.  In 2022, they collected 877 individual surface water samples.  Their dedication makes our work to protect our waterways possible. This Report is dedicated to all of you.

Read the NRWA’s 2022 Water Report.

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NRWA 2023-2028 Strategic Plan

The NRWA is pleased to share its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, a guide to our priorities for our next five years. The Plan is the result of months of conversations, partner listening sessions, and a survey of supporters. We asked for your input, we listened, and your feedback is reflected in this directional piece. We look forward to working with you to achieve these goals. View online.  Download single page for print.  

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Nashua River Watershed Association Statement on MassWildlife’s Proposed Oak Woodlands Restoration at Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area

The MA Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has proposed an Oak Woodlands Restoration project on 215 acres at the Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area (SRWMA), which will result in altering the current forested landscape to an open woodland. The project would require significant clearing of the existing forest, periodic fire management, and herbicide applications.  For a more detailed description of the goals of the proposed project and restoration activities, please see: mass.gov/info-details/oak-woodland-restoration-at-squannacook-river-wma. 

The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) has been closely keeping track of this proposed project and wishes to share the following significant attributes of the SRWMA project site, which MassWildlife has indicated would be Phase 1* of a multi-phase undertaking:

  • Abuts ~2 miles of the federally-designated Squannacook Wild & Scenic River, which is also a state-designated Coldwater Fisheries Resource; 
  • Is within the state-designated Squannassit Area of Critical Environmental Concern; and 
  • Is a Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Priority Habitat Area.

  • Meets MA DEP state-designated Outstanding Resource Water Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards [314  CMR 4.04(3)

  • Is included in the Squannacook-Nissitissit Rivers Sanctuary Act (MGL, Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 123A, Section 17)

  • Is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries “Essential Fish Habitat”

  • Is a MA DFW Wildlife Management Area Reference Stream

  • US Geological Survey (USGS) gage on the Squannacook River was used as a least impacted site to set flow policy for the state’s Water Management Act. The river is also used as a “clean water” least impacted site by MA DEP’s SMART monitoring program. Water quality information from this site was used in the development of statewide Water Quality Standards including nutrients and pollutant loading analysis.

  • ~50 acres of Shirley Zone 1 Municipal Wellhead Protection Area (a 1,000 foot zone extending from wellhead)  

  • Subject property partially overlays a medium yield aquifer ½ mile upstream from the W. Groton Water Supply District public wellheads.

This site has long been recognized as an area worthy of the highest-level protection and preservation for its existing outstandingly remarkable environmental resource values. Therefore, proposed alteration of the site should be subject to particularly rigorous analysis.

In February of 2022 the NRWA requested that MassWildlife consider at least a three-year moratorium on advancing the proposed project while MassWildlife, NRWA, and other partners: 

  • Identify alternate sites that meet MassWildlife’s state-wide goals for Oak Woodland Habitat;
  • Undertake additional studies on SRWMA; and 
  • Assess the impact of the scale of the proposed project. 

Through dialogue with MassWildlife, the NRWA understands that MassWildlife cannot agree to a moratorium.  MassWildlife has communicated a commitment to transparency and to proceeding on a timeline with opportunities for site walks and public engagement. 

In addition, public comment periods which are required as part of local and state permitting would precede any actual site work by MassWildlife.  Opportunities for comments would occur at both Shirley and Townsend Conservation Commission meetings, and potentially be associated with an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review.  After reviewing forthcoming documents, the NRWA will offer detailed comments during the public comment periods as they arise.

* The NRWA notes that potential future Phases of the proposed project have not yet been described, but that the entire Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area encompasses a total of more than 1,300 acres.

 

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Chapter 4 Providing Education video link

NRWA 50th Anniversary Video Series

In 2019, the NRWA celebrated its 50th Anniversary.  As part of our celebration, we created a series of six short videos looking at where we began, where we are and where we are going in the future. We hope you enjoy this look at NRWA and what we accomplish together! Thank you!

Chapter 1:  The Beginning (2:38 min.)
Chapter 2:  Protecting Water (2:28 min.)
Chapter 3:  Protecting Land (2:20 min.)
Chapter 4:  Providing Education (1:55 min.)
Chapter 5:  Supporting Recreation (1:49 min.)
Chapter 6:  Looking Forward (2:31 min.)

Thank you to our 50th Anniversary Sponsors for making this series possible: Presenting Sponsor, Rollstone Bank & Trust, and Anniversary Sponsors, CanAm Machinery and Enterprise Bank.

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  Pulling invasive water chestnut by hand from a canoe

Controlling Invasive Water Chestnut

The NRWA has been working with the state and local entities, as well as volunteers to control the infestation and spread of invasive water chestnut in the Nashua River.  Learn more.

View new video "NRWA Water Chestnut Pull: Volunteers in Action. (3:14 min) produced by Max McCormick of NorthPoint Productions.

Wetlands near Horse Meadow in Lunenburg, MA - photo by Allyssa Kvenvold

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy: Protect and Enhance Floodplains, Wetlands, and Small Streams

Floodplains are nature's system for reducing the severity of floods. Floodplains are also critical open space and wildlife habitat since they are typically part of greenways along river and stream systems. Altered seasonal water flows may threaten flood plain functionality, which can adversely impact biological and nutrient cycles, and also seed dispersal. In addition, it may favor non-native over native species. Where the connections between floodplains and rivers have been severed, as by development, efforts should be made to reconnect them.

Wetlands and small streams provide flood storage capacity. They are also vital parts of our ecosystem, especially for many locally endangered species. They purify water and slow runoff from storm events. Moreover, they are also effectively sequestering and storing carbon. When wetlands are lost or degraded, significant quantities of carbon can be released into the atmosphere.

As stated by A. M. Nahlik and M. S. Fennessy (2016): "Soil carbon is vital in regulating climate, water supplies and biodiversity—all essential contributions to the provision of ecosystem services. Wetlands contain a disproportionate amount of the earth’s total soil carbon; holding between 20 and 30% of the estimated global soil carbon despite occupying 5-8% of its land surface. The anoxic conditions characteristic of wetland soils slow decomposition and lead to the accumulation of organic matter. As a result, wetlands can accumulate large carbon stores, making them an important sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide."

Ponds capture significant amounts of leaves and other organic debris. Similar to wetlands, anoxic conditions on the pond bottom slow decay and retain carbon. Ponds also temporarily store excess stormwater, reducing flows in streams and therefore down-gradient flooding.

Greenway along the North Nashua River at the Cook Conservation Area in Lancaster, MA - photo by Cindy Knox Photography

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy: Restore, Create, and Protect Greenways and Aquatic Buffers

Aquatic buffers can clean runoff and provide a corridor for movement and migration by wildlife. Buffers can be enhanced with plantings that provide food and cover for movement. Buffers also help take up excess nutrients and salts that may otherwise degrade receiving waters. Aquatic buffers are typically the part of greenways that border the rivers or streams.

Greenways are critical corridors for the movement and migration of wildlife and vegetation and, where appropriate, can provide recreational opportunities.

Value of healthy streamside greenway - graphic by Bluegrass GreensourceBenefits of Healthy Stream Buffers. (Graphic by Bluegrass Greensource. https://bggreensource.org/)

 Rain garden in fair weather (left) and after rainstorm (right) - photos from Massachusetts Watershed Coalition

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy: Infiltrate and Attenuate Stormwater Runoff

Addressing stormwater runoff can help to reduce flooding, buffer water temperature changes, increase seepage to cool river and stream temperatures, and protect habitat in wetlands, small streams, and floodplains. Strategies include:

  • Create rain gardens, vegetated buffer strips, retention basins, and infiltration catch basins to facilitate stormwater infiltration that reduces runoff and increases groundwater reservoirs that feed wetlands and small streams in periods of drought. Such groundwater reserves also provide cool water to help sustain cold water species. Rain gardens and vegetated buffers infiltrate water and provide plantings that increase ecological value and sequester carbon.
  • Maintain forested areas and other permeable surfaces to slow the rate at which stormwater can reach a stream, especially in headwater portions of watersheds, which can be an effective strategy in reducing downstream flooding. In addition, forested areas are effective in infiltrating stormwater.
  • Reduce runoff from developed areas by increasing infiltration.
  • Maintain shade to cool streams and water bodies, especially in warm summer months.
  • Develop strategies for reducing water temperature by identifying and protecting locations where relatively large quantities of groundwater seep into streams. In addition, create strategies for reducing flash drought impacts in sub-watersheds that contribute to those seepage zones. 
  • Collect hydrologic data and refine models of watershed hydrology; evaluate and upgrade stormwater infrastructure to understand and predict storm water effects and risks and create a safer environment.
  • Continue the NRWA water quality monitoring program. This activity has accumulated a large database of measurements of flows and water quality of the main river systems taken by NRWA volunteers. View the current NRWA River Report Card, or historic data. Combining these data with data from USGS and the National Weather Service, as well as future measurements, will be invaluable in understanding changes to date and modeling future conditions.
  • Evaluate the ability of existing infrastructure to accommodate predicted future flows. View story on NRWA's project to assess culverts for wildlife passage and climate resiliency,

An Example: What is a Rain Garden? 

A rain garden has a bowl shape to collect the rain that runs off from a roof, driveway, parking area or yard. This 6 to 9 inch deep basin fills with runoff and allows it to seep into the ground in a few hours. The rain garden plants and soils filter the stormwater and cleanse pollutants that could harm water quality.

rain garden graphicLetting the runoff soak in, rather than go into the street, replaces the groundwater that keeps streams flowing during dry times. On hot summer days, rain gardens also cool runoff from dark pavement by putting it into the ground. A constant supply of cool, clean groundwater is essential to the health of stream and pond life. 

Rain gardens are planted with flowers, shrubs, trees and grasses that are easy-to-maintain and thrive without fertilizers and pesticides. There is an array of colorful plants that can be obtained at garden centers and home improvement stores, which will provide food and habitat for wildlife.

Courtesy of the MA Watershed Coalition’s Rain Garden Guide: http://www.commonwaters.org/images/stories/pdfs/raingardn_gde.pdf

Photo at top of page: Rain garden in fair weather (left) and after a rainstorm (right), photos from Massachusetts Watershed Coalition, www.commonwaters.org. View the Coalition's Rain Garden Guide.

Meadow view with Liatris and Bee Balm - photo by Deb Fountain

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy: Protect, Create, and Enhance Meadows, Gardens, and Farms

Recent studies have documented significant declines in insect and bird population. Meadows provide food and habitat for many insects and birds, as well as other small animals. Meadow wildflowers and native grasses sequester significant amounts of carbon and provide infiltration of stormwater. Moreover, native grasses and wildflowers develop deep, extensive root systems. As these roots decay, organic matter in the soil builds up relatively quickly.

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) a North American prairie grass - photo Image left:  Big bluestem.  Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is one of many deep-rooted prairie grasses in North America that can contribute to soil carbon sequestration. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/acryptozoo/21321111812  Licensed thru Creative Commons 2.0)

 

Properly managed gardens can sequester and store large quantities of carbon, especially if compost and organic waste are used as soil amendments. As pollinators decline in the environment, the need for natural pollinator plants increases. Leaving areas unmown and discouraging application of herbicides and pesticides along the margins of fields can provide more refuges for pollinators as well as other wildlife.

According to landscape ecologist Professor Robert Zomer (2017), more than a billion tons of atmospheric carbon could be sequestered and stored in the soil per year by improved agricultural practices alone. The strategies involve both preventing the loss of carbon and sequestering new carbon. Some of the management practices that reduce atmospheric carbon include the following:

  • Adding organic amendments such as compost, manure, and crop residues to increase soil carbon and improve soil biology.
  • Reducing or eliminating tillage to reduce carbon loss.
  • Reducing erosion by contour plowing or terracing to reduce carbon loss.
  • Using cover crops to reduce carbon loss and increase carbon input.
  • Planting pollinator plants for insects and seed-bearing flowers and native grasses for birds.