Priority Projects

Project Name: Swift River Rock Structure Removal
In June 2006, a flow constriction was removed to improve connectivity in this coldwater habitat. Rock piles in the stream from a former bridge were removed and used to create riffle habitat and expose additional riffles upstream by lowering the impounded water level.

Site Location and Description:
The Swift River runs south of the Quabbin Reservoir; rainbow and brook trout are found in significant numbers in this stretch. Habitat improvements will increase the abundance and variety of macroinvertebrates, maintain and enhance riffle habitat, reduce deposition of silt and sand and decrease the present embeddedness.

Community Involvement:
Members of the Belchertown conservation commission have been involved in project decisionmaking and Trout Unlimited provided project coordination. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Conservation and Recreation have provided assistance in the past. Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited volunteers have collected macroinvertebrate samples and are coordinating riparian plantings at the project site.

Status:
The project was completed in July 2006.

Project Needs:

• Continued monitoring

Page last updated November 2006