The Watershed Approach

An explanation of the five-year cycle under which Massachusetts watersheds are studied and evaluated. October 2005.
Web page
Five-year basin cycle map:
Web page

Water Quality Monitoring Strategy for Massachusetts

The purpose of this document is to establish criteria for assessing the degree of impairment in Massachusetts waterbodies, including streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, estuaries, coastal areas, and groundwater, based on requirements established by federal law and EPA guidance. September 2005.
MS Word 1 MB | PDF 255 KB

Environmental Monitoring

A brief survey of the monitoring methodologies MassDEP employes in rivers and lakes to identify pollutants, sources, and aquatic life, including invasive species. October 2005.
Web page

Biomonitoring

Habitat assessments and biological sampling help determine the health of a waterbody to support aquatic life, which is a key indicator of overall environmental health. October 2005.
Web page

Quality Management Program

How MassDEP ensures and maintains the accuracy and reliability of data and other information used to support water quality management activities. October 2005.
Web page

Data Management

The systems that work together to validate and verify the monitoring data used to meet MassDEP's obligations under state and federal clean water legislation. October 2005.
Web page

Volunteer Monitoring Program

How citizens can help MassDEP gather water quality monitoring data. October 2005.
Web page

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2004 Bacteria Source Tracking Pilot Study

A new cost effective protocol for tracking down sources of bacteria in rivers and streams. A pilot study was conducted in five selected subwatersheds of the Blackstone and Sudbury Watersheds from April to October 2004. November 2005.

MS Word 5 MB | PDF 1.5 MB

Enhancing the Bacterial Source-Tracking Toolkit: A Collaborative Approach

Recognizing the need to find and eliminate sources of bacterial contamination to surface waters in Massachusetts, MassDEP, WES, CZM, USGS, and EPA are developing a set of tools to identify those sources. The following poster explains the objectives of the bacteria tracking study, as well as the current results. To download the poster, right-mouse click on the PDF and choose "Save target as". September 2007.

PDF 5 MB | RTF 16 KB (The text version does not include the charts or images.)

Annual Monitoring Summaries 2004-2008

Overviews of environmental monitoring in selected watersheds. These summaries focus primarily on the watersheds targeted for the given year. Updated December 2008.
2004 (Merrimac, French & Quinebaug):
MS Word 557 KB | PDF 53 KB
2005 (Deerfield, Millers, Ipswich, Shawsheen, Buzzards Bay):
MS Word 619 KB | PDF 83 KB
2006 (Concord, Farmington, Taunton, Westfield, South Coastal):
MS Word 611 KB | PDF 86 KB
2007 (Charles, Housatonic, Hudson, Ten Mile, North Coastal):
MS Word 626 KB | PDF 96 KB
2008 (Blackstone, Chicopee, Connecticut, Nashua):
MS Word 705 KB | PDF 160 KB

Massachusetts Watershed Initiative Program - Indicative Project Summaries 1999-2003

A compilation of summaries of projects administered by MassDEP from 1999 to 2003, including water quality monitoring, habitat assessment, hydrologic modeling, open space planning, technical assistance, and more. October 2005.
MS Word 498 KB | PDF 336 KB

Publications of the Division of Watershed Management 1963-2008

A catalog of technical reports and technical memoranda, published by MassDEP's Watershed Planning Program over the years 1963 to 2008, on water quality surveying, data analysis, standard operating procedures, and more, listed chronologically by content and river basin. December 2008.
MS Word 717 KB | PDF 417 KB

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