FY 2008 Restoration Site Reconnaissance

In Fiscal Year 2008, the Riverways Program provided technical services for seven Site Reconnaissance studies that provide a brief analysis of the possible alternatives for restoration. These small studies provide information for either Riverways or its partners prioritize future projects by identifying opportunities and constraints to restoration at the site.

Thunder Brook – Cheshire
The Riverways Program and the dam owner are interested in examining the potential for dam removal and river restoration on Thunder Brook. Thunder Brook is a coldwater fishery and with a traditional step pool morphology. Anecdotal evidence and MA DFW fish sampling data in the 1980s indicate that Thunder Brook is an extremely productive brook trout stream. The 12-foot-tall dam was originally constructed in the early 20th century to provide drinking water to Cheshire but no longer serves this purpose.

In addition to the dam, a 6-foot-diameter corrugated metal culvert downstream of the dam and before the confluence with Kitchen Brook was assessed as a potential barrier to fish movement and streamflow.

Housatonic River – Lee
Riverways and the dam owner are interested in determining the restoration possibilities at the Columbia Mill Dam. The Columbia Mill Dam is in the Housatonic River Watershed and is located between the Woods Pond (Lenox/Lee) and Hurlbut Dams (Lee). The Columbia Mill Dam is a run-of-the-river dam approximately 25 feet tall, with a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a crest length of 170 feet. According to local sources the dam has a timber-crib foundation that is capped with concrete.

Hamant Brook – Sturbridge
The Riverways Program and the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) are interested in the potential for river restoration on Hamant Brook. Restoration of Hamant Brook would benefit the native riverine fish community in Hamant Brook and the Quinebaug River by improving access to spawning and nursery habitat and increase habitat availability for state-listed species of special concern (e.g. wood turtle, triangle floater, creeper).

Joslin Brook – Hubbardston
Riverways and DCR’s Division of Water Supply Protection are interested in determining the possibilities at the Cunningham Pond Dam. The Cunningham Pond Dam is in the Chicopee River Watershed, it impairs the headwaters and a tributary of Joslin Brook. Joslin Brook feeds into the Ware River. Cunningham Pond inundates the confluence of two small perennial streams; the streams above the impoundment are considered “high quality” most likely due to cold water conditions. Significant portions of Joslin Brook below the dam are designated as Priority Habitat of Rare Species and also Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife.

The dam is approximately 5 feet tall and 160 feet long. Left of the dam is a 5-foot-high high dike. Westminster Road crosses the top of the impoundment. Cunningham Pond and the surrounding land are owned by The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Quinnepoxit River – West Boylston
Riverways and DCR’s Division of Water Supply Protection are interested in determining the possibilities at the Oakdale Dam. The Oakdale Dam is located on the Quinnepoxit River in West Boylston at the river’s confluence with the Wachusett Reservoir. The reservoir is in the Nashua River Watershed and the dam and surrounding land is owned by DCR. The entire project area is within Priority Habitat of Rare Species and also Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife. The dam is 250 feet long formed by an 18 foot high earthen embankment. The spillway is 135 feet in length and has a 9-foot-high arched-shaped weir – apparently founded on bedrock. A recent DCR inspection report refers to dam design plan with a construction date of 1902. The dam masonry and concrete dam has a fish ladder on the left spillway abutment.

Sippican River – Rochester
The dam owner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, and American Rivers are interested in enhancing riverine habitat in the Sippican River and reducing nutrient inputs to Buzzard’s Bay. The privately-owned dam has a structural height of nine feet with a crest length of 550 feet. The Sippican River supports a wide range of fish species including river herring and alewife.

Childes River – Falmouth
Interested partners at this site include the dam owner, MA DFW, and the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Reserve. The Dam is in the Cape Cod Watershed on the Childes River in Falmouth. The earthen dam is approximately 5 feet tall and 250 feet long with an antiquated concrete pool and weir fish ladder. Restoration at this site will improve temperature conditions for salter brook trout and native resident aquatic species as well as improving adjacent riparian conditions. The target restoration species is sea-run, “salter” brook trout. The Childes River also once supported an alewife run, but that run has dwindled. There is no plan to restore the alewife run at this time as restoration efforts are focused on the nearby Quashnet River due to better access to spawning habitat.