Project Details
Project Title
Increasing Watershed-Scale Resiliency through Culvert Upgrades in the Howlett Brook Sub-Watershed
Municipality
Boxford
MVP Region
Northeast
Award Year
FY2023
Grant Award
$265,900
Project Length
One Year
Community Overview
- The Town of Boxford is a small rural community located in Northeast Massachusetts.
- Howlett Brook and Pye Brook are part of an extensive stream system network that makes up the 10.2 square mile Howlett Brook watershed-- a major sub-basin of the Ipswich River watershed.
- Despite being relatively undeveloped, Howlett Brook and Pye Brook are significantly affected by man-made barriers. The Georgetown Road and Herrick Road barriers are designated as Minor Barriers by the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC), whereas the Pye Brook Lane barrier as classified as Insignificant.
- The Howlett Brook sub-watershed contains Four Mile Pond and Hood Pond, two historic spawning sites for Alewife herring. Currently, herring migration is impeded by undersized barriers preventing passage.
Project Description and Goals
- Where was the project located?
- The project was located at three culverts in Boxford: Georgetown Road, Herrick Road, and Pye Brook.
- What climate change impacts did the project address?
- Inland Flooding.
- What were the specific goals and tasks of the project?
- Shovel ready designs for three culverts
- Wetland surveying at Pye Brook Lane, Georgetown Road, and Herrick Road (pictured above)
- Geotechnical Reports for upgrading Pye Brook Lane, Georgetown Road, and Herrick Road
- H&H Analysis for upgrading Pye Brook Lane, Georgetown Road, and Herrick Road
- Culvert upgrade design plan sets for each of the three crossings
- Notices of Intent to the Boxford Conservation Commission for the three crossings
- Did your project meet the goals:
- Yes, Plan set packets were prepared and delivered to Boxford and MassDOT.
Results and Deliverables
- Describe, and quantify (where possible) project results (e.g. square footage of habitat restored or created, increase in tree canopy coverage, etc.). Report out on the metrics outlined in your application.
- Final designs and permits were developed for 3 road-stream crossings:
- Georgetown Road
- Herrick Road
- Pye Brook Lane
- Final designs and permits were developed for 3 road-stream crossings:
- Provide a brief summary of project deliverables with web links, if available.
- See the project website for more information.
Lessons Learned
- What lessons were learned as a result of the project?
- Local areas of wetlands needed to be carefully delineated and described in order to adequately determine ecological impacts.
- It’s critical to continue to work with MassDOT in order to ensure that the ecological and climate resilience benefits of upgraded culvert structures will not be compromised due to the changing construction codes for crossing structures.
- Bundling 3 culvert upgrade projects on the same system resulted in multiple efficiencies that we can use as a model in the future. Bundling these projects will allow us to greatly increase the pace and scale at which these critical projects can be completed.
- What is the best way for other communities to learn from your project/process?
- See the project website or contact irwainfo@ipswichriver.org.
Partners and Other Support
- Town of Boxford - project proponent/applicant, assistance with monthly progress meetings and conservation commission meetings
- TEC - project engineer in producing plan sets and cost development
- Rimmer Environmental Consulting - project engineer in assisting with the permitting process
- Ipswich River Watershed Association - project outreach and management