295Site ID:NewburyTown:2.9Acres:NoRapid Technical Site Assessment:RestrictionFillAgricultureOtherCompleted ProjectMediumPriority:Site consists of ~3 acres of tidally-restricted marsh south of Boston Road and north of an old dike. Most of the site appears to be privately owned, while the eastern portion may be part of the Trustees of Reservations Old Town Hill property. GIS analysis and site observations indicate that a dike / stone wall was built across the marsh many years ago and likely restricts spring tides and sheet flow from the upstream marsh between the dike and Boston Road. The dike consists of earthen fill raised slightly above wetland grade with a field stone wall on top. Mature cedar and hardwood trees are growing out of the dike fill. An old tidal ditch does cross the dike, but the ditch is clogged with peat and Phragmites. The wetland upstream of the dike is dominated by Typha and Phragmites, while the downstream marsh is mostly high marsh plants. Restoration actions could restore the tidal hydrology to the marsh by unblocking the ditch system and also removing or breaching the dike in several locations. Restoration potential is considered medium based on the relatively straightforward tasks that are needed to alleviate the restriction, and the potential partial ownership by TTOR. A tidal survey is needed during a spring tide to assess the level of restriction caused by the dike.Site Summary:Under DevelopmentImpact Type(s)StatusPotential Project
