- Division of Ecological Restoration
MassWildlife is nearing construction on a long-planned tidal restoration project located in the William Forward Wildlife Management Area associated with Kent’s Island Creek in Newbury. First formally identified as a tidal restriction in the North Shore Atlas of Tidal Restrictions (1996), the project site encompasses approximately 47 acres of salt marsh located adjacent to an existing bridge that conveys a tidal creek beneath a single lane wildlife management road. The road and bridge-like structure, like many historic road and cart-path crossings across New England, restricts tidal flow across the marsh. Built just slightly above the elevation of spring tides, the surface of the access road interferes with the natural flow of higher tides across the surface of the marsh, somewhat like a long miniature dam. The crossing, which is narrower and losing some of its stones and fill material directly into the creek, also impedes primary tidal flow. Perched water conditions impounded upstream of the road and unnatural tidal flow can lead to excess scour, erosion and loss of wetland habitat.
By restoring natural tidal flow both at the creek crossing and creating lowered swales across the access road, tidal waters may flow more naturally upstream, reducing velocities, scour, and erosion. In addition to addressing an ecological impairment, reconstruction of the access road and bridge will serve to provide continued access to Kent’s Island providing passive recreation access along with access for equipment to manage up to 70 acres of upland grassland and shrubland habitat to provide nesting habitat for American Black Ducks. DER is pleased to have partnered with MassWildlife on this project, having provided technical services and support and assisted with the acquisition of matching grant funds. This project is also supported by a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Program.
Photo: The bridge at Kent’s Island Creek has deteriorated and restricts tidal flow. Photo by Foth-CLE Engineering
