Pocasset River

Designation Date: 12/5/80
Total approximate acreage: 160 acres
Watershed/subwatershed: Cape Cod/Pocasset River
Municipalities: Bourne

Designation Overview
The Pocasset River ACEC is a small
river and estuarine system on the eastern shore of Buzzards Bay. It was nominated by the Town of Bourne Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Planning Board and was designated as an ACEC in 1980 because of its extraordinary natural resources. The ACEC boundary generally runs from the Shore Road Bridge to the headwaters of the Pocasset River by following the 100-year flood line and 100-foot buffers to wetland resources. Important habitats in the area include salt marsh, floodplain, tidal flats, wetlands, streams, and freshwater ponds. These areas provide flood control, storm damage prevention, improved water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities to the surrounding community.

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What coastal resources are included (partially or entirely) in the ACEC?

• Harbors, sounds, and bays: none
• Rivers: Pocasset River
• Lakes, Ponds: Freeman Pond, Mill Pond, Shop Pond, Upper Pond
• Brooks, Creeks: Unnamed

Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs): Pocasset River, Freeman Pond, Mill Pond, Shop Pond, and Upper Pond. (ORWs are waters, such as public water supplies and vernal pools that are protected by the most stringent standards because they constitute an outstanding resource as determined by their socio-economic, recreational, ecological, and/or aesthetic values)