The goal of the Clean Water Act (cwa) is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters
WMA water withdrawal and NPDES wastewater discharge summary
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- Use Assessment
- Biology
- Shellfish Harvesting
- Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and Aesthetics
WMA water withdrawal and NPDES wastewater discharge summaryThere are no Water Management Act withdrawals or NPDES permitted discharges in this segment. However, there are 48 acres of cranberry bog open space in this subwatershed, inclusive but not limited to WMA registered growers (UMass Amherst 1999). For the purpose of this report, a conservative estimate of water use for this bog area is approximately 0.43 MGD. This cranberry acreage is entirely within the subwatershed for Segment MA94-26, which is the upper portion of this subwatershed. Use AssessmentAquatic LifeHabitat and FlowSmelt spawning habitat in Second Herring Brook includes the area downstream from the dam (locally known as the Gordon Pond dam) to the tidal zone near a wooden walk-bridge (approximately 205 m). The spawning area was well shaded and the riparian buffer was very good. However, rapidly decreasing flows during the spawning season resulted in exposure of substrate. Substrate degradation from increased growth of periphyton also corresponded to lower flow conditions. There are three widely spaced outlets at the dam that cause the flows over the spawning habitat to spread widely over a poorly-defined braided channel which provides good spawning habitat until flows decline. Low water depth in April 1995 also resulted in mortality to adult smelt because of stranding (Chase in preparation). BiologyBoth smelt and blueback herring eggs were observed in Second Herring Brook in 1994 and 1995 (Chase in preparation). Water chemistryAlthough no in-situ measurements or water quality samples were collected directly from this segment of Second Herring Brook, measurements taken from the river near Route 123 (Main Street) crossing, Norwell (just upstream from this segment of Second Herring Brook), indicated good water quality conditions (i.e., DO/ saturation), and while pH and alkalinity were low, these conditions are considered to be naturally occurring. In-situ measurements taken in the North River at Bridge/Union Street (near the confluence with Second Herring Brook) were also indicative of good water quality conditions (Appendix A, Table A6). The Aquatic Life Use for this segment of Second Herring Brook is assessed as support based on the in-situ data collected both upstream and downstream from this segment and best professional judgment. This use is identified with an Alert Status, however, because the three widely-spaced outlets at the dam at Gordon Pond cause flows over the spawning habitat to spread widely over a poorly-defined channel and when flows decrease, otherwise good spawning habitat is lost. Shellfish HarvestingThe DMF Shellfish Status Report of July 2000 indicates that Area MB5.2 (which includes this segment) is prohibited and no recent changes to this classification status have been made (MA DFG 2000; Appendix G, Table G3; and Churchill 2005b). Based on the DMF shellfish growing area status, the Shellfish Harvesting Use is assessed as impaired for this segment. It is presumed that this closure is because of elevated bacteria counts. Although the source(s) of bacteria are currently unknown, discharges from municipal separate storm sewers are suspected. Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and AestheticsAlthough no bacteria samples were collected from this segment of Second Herring Brook, none of the four bacteria samples collected from the river near Route 123 (Main Street) crossing, Norwell (just upstream from this segment of Second Herring Brook), exceeded 70 cfu/100 ml. Additionally, none of the samples collected from the North River at Bridge/Union Street (near the confluence with Second Herring Brook) exceeded 100 cfu/100mls (Appendix A, Table A7). No objectionable odors, deposits or any other conditions were noted at either of these sampling locations either (MassDEP 2001a). The Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetics uses for this segment of Second Herring Brook are assessed as support based on the limited fecal coliform bacteria data collected both upstream and downstream from this segment and the lack of aesthetically objectionable conditions. Second Herring Brook (MA94-31) Use Summary Table
* Alert Status issues identified, see details in use assessment Directory: eea -> docs -> dep -> water -> resources -> 71wqar09 dep -> Charles D. Baker Governor dep -> Charles D. Baker Governor dep -> Charles D. Baker Governor dep -> Index of Photographs dep -> Department of environmental protection one winter street, boston, ma 02108 617-292-5500 water -> Water Resource Management Planning 71wqar09 -> 2004 water quality assessment report Download 3.32 Mb. Share with your friends:
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