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.
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Meets MA DEP state-designated Outstanding Resource Water Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards [314 CMR 4.04(3)
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Is included in the Squannacook-Nissitissit Rivers Sanctuary Act (MGL, Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 123A, Section 17)
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Is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries “Essential Fish Habitat”
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Is a MA DFW Wildlife Management Area Reference Stream
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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.
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~50 acres of Shirley Zone 1 Municipal Wellhead Protection Area (a 1,000 foot zone extending from wellhead)
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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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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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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.
Managing Streamflow: Low Flow and Flooding
Too much water leads to flooding, and too little water leads to low flow in our streams. Both extremes have a negative impact on our water quality and the wildlife that lives in our waterways. Heavy precipitation and periods of drought cannot be controlled, but NRWA does work to minimize human impacts on streamflow.
Low Flow
When precipitation is low and evapotranspiration reduces the amount of water in a stream, cool groundwater replenishes the stream and helps to sustain fish and other aquatic life through periods of drought-like conditions. However, other demands on groundwater can reduce the amount of water available to maintain healthy streamflow to rivers and streams. Water withdrawals from municipal drinking water wells, lawn watering, agriculture and other types of irrigation, and commercial and industrial uses reduce the water available. If the quantity of water withdrawn exceeds the amount of water replenished through precipitation and groundwater recharge, the result is a dry or low flow stream with decreased oxygen and raised water temperatures that stresses or kills fish and other aquatic life.
NRWA works to protect against the issues of low flow through projects that are in keeping with our Sustainable Water Use Policy, such as our Water Monitoring Program where volunteers track streamside conditions; through working with communities, state agencies and other environmental groups to encourage sustainable water policies; and through our education programs for adults on subjects such as Low Water Use Landscaping.
Flooding
In contrast to water withdrawals, impervious surfaces, such as asphalt roadways and parking lots, expanses of cement, and roof tops cause a rapid increase in flow to streams during heavy rainstorms or rapid snowmelts. This fast flow makes the streams rise quickly or be “flashy” and does not allow rainwater to infiltrate slowly back into the ground to replenish groundwater. Streams that receive water runoff quickly from impervious surfaces are prone to flooding, especially in urban areas. Rapid runoff not only causes flooding but also carries pollutants and sediment into our waterways, such as road oils, salt, sand, and yard chemicals.
NRWA works to protect against rapid runoff by helping developers and municipalities address the issue through good stormwater management and low impact development and other Smart Growth planning. The NRWA works with municipal Public Works personnel to discuss local stream quality and the impact of their road management practices. And we collaborate with Conservation Commissions, government agencies, and other organizations to protect wetland areas that serve as sponges absorbing large volumes of water during periods of excess precipitation. Our Purple Loosestrife Management Project is focused on helping to control this invasive species that threatens to take over natural wetlands ecosystems.
For more information on streamflow and NRWA water projects, please contact Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Protecting Water Quantity: Streamflow and Sustainability
Throughout the world, water quantity issues are becoming more urgent, with some regions lacking sufficient water supplies and others dealing with an overabundance leading to flooding. Here in our watershed, streams and rivers are prone to both low flow and flooding.
The total amount of water in the rivers and streams of the Nashua River watershed is a function of the amount of precipitation, the amount of evapotranspiration (evaporation by trees and other vegetation), the amount of water that infiltrates to the groundwater, and the amount of water that is pumped for human consumption. Groundwater is interconnected with surface water in New England, and is an important component of streamflow, especially during the hottest, driest times of the year. Daily real-time streamflow data are available from five U.S. Geological Survey gages in the Nashua River watershed. Instantaneous flow values can be obtained from the gages, as well as historical data, back to 1935 at some locations. The National Weather Service also maintains an Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service to predict precipitation and river cresting, especially during times of flooding.
The elements of nature impacting water quantity are beyond our control, but there are many human actions that also impact water quantity that can be dealt with through a good water management plan. The NRWA seeks an approach to water management that is sustainable for both human consumption and aquatic life, and has a Sustainable Water Use Policy in place to govern its decisions regarding sustainable water use. In accordance with that policy, our work seeks to address low flow and flooding, as well as river continuity, the impacts of dams and culverts on natural stream flow. We also collaborate with state officials, environmental organizations and advocacy groups to promote sustainable water policies for our watershed, and Massachusetts and New Hampshire at large.
For more information about water quantity issues and projects, please contact Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Working in Many Ways to Protect Water Quality
In addition to NRWA’s Water Monitoring Program and bacterial source tracking projects, we work on ecological river restoration, vernal pool certifications, and outreach and education about water-related issues. NRWA collaborates with Conservation Commissions and other local and state governing agencies regarding issues affecting rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, and ponds. For instance, NRWA comments on surface water discharges, water withdrawals, dam removals, wetland filings, and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) projects.
The following are examples of our other water protection projects:
- NRWA is a participant in the Wekepeke Watershed Restoration Initiative – a restoration effort in the “Clinton Water Works” region of the Wekepeke Brook sub-watershed in Sterling and Leominster. The Initiative stems from a study conducted by Rushing Rivers Institute. Restoration efforts will aim to improve native brook trout habitat in this important cold water fishery. More on the background of the Wekepeke study.
- NRWA met with Department of Public Works, Lions and Rotary Clubs, and Agricultural Commissions to increase awareness of good practices for road, lawn, field, and animal manure maintenance that help to keep our water clean.
- NRWA collected water samples on the Nashua River in Nashua, New Hampshire for a project undertaken by Essex Hydropower Associates to gather data on river conditions near the Jackson Falls dam.
- NRWA participates in regional projects like the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition’s Billion Gallons a Year (BGY) Initiative, the goal of which it to cleanse a billion gallons of stormwater in one year before it reaches local rivers and streams.
For more information about these or other water quality projects, please contact Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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