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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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. Use AssessmentAquatic LifeHabitat and FlowThe habitat in the brook upstream from the Route 123 Bridge station was considered excellent with a habitat assessment score of 154 out of 200 (MassDEP 2001b). Habitat was limited most by the low flow conditions that were encountered and the limited channel sinuosity. BiologyMDFW and DWM sampled the fish population assemblage in Second Herring Brook, upstream from the Route 123 Bridge station (#472) in September 2001 (Richards 2003). Sampling at this station yielded seven species of fish. In order of abundance, these species were 48 American eel (Anguilla rostrata), 16 redfin pickerel (Esox americanus americanus), 3 pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), 2 brown trout (Salmo trutta), 1 brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), 1 chain pickerel (Esox niger), and 1 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). With the exception of the two brown trout, which were stocked fish, the community was comprised primarily of macrohabitat generalists. Redfin pickerel are moderately tolerant to water quality degradation but are considered by DWM biologists to be tolerant to habitat degradation. The individual largemouth bass, bullhead, chain pickerel and the pumpkinseeds most likely originated from the pond upstream. The absence of fluvial or other native intolerant species should be noted. The abundance of American eel is associated with the stream’s close proximity to the ocean. Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling was also conducted in Second Herring Brook downstream from the old mill dam in the Norris Reservation, Norwell (Station SHB-C), in May 2000 (SaintOurs 2005). Although no RBP III analysis was conducted, the benthic community was described as being diverse and comprised of numerous EPT taxa (SaintOurs 2000). These observations are typically indicative of good water quality. Chemistry – waterIn 2001 DWM conducted water quality sampling at one station (SH101) on Second Herring Brook at the Route 123 (Main Street) crossing, Norwell (Appendix A, Tables A6 and A7). In-situ measurements of DO, % DO saturation, temperature, pH, conductivity, and TDS, as well as water quality sampling (total phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen, chloride, alkalinity, and hardness) were recorded/collected on up to seven occasions from June to October. The results are summarized below. Dissolved oxygen and percent saturation DO ranged from 7.0 to 8.6 mg/L with saturations ranging from 82 to 91%. Temperature The maximum temperature recorded was 25.6ºC. pH, hardness, and alkalinity The pH of Second Herring Brook was slightly low ranging from 6.3 to 6.5 SU (n=7). Hardness ranged from 25 to 29 mg/L while alkalinity ranged from 7 to 9 mg/L (n=4). Conductivity Specific conductance ranged from 197 to 245 µS/cm (n=7). Ammonia-nitrogen No detectable concentrations of ammonia-nitrogen (exclusive of qualified data) were found in this segment of Second Herring Brook. Total phosphorus The total phosphorus concentrations measured in samples collected from Second Herring Brook ranged from 0.028 to 0.072 mg/L (n=5 with an average concentration = 0.05 mg/L). The Aquatic Life Use for Second Herring Brook is assessed as support based primarily on the in-situ water quality data and best professional judgment. Although pH and alkalinity were low, these conditions are considered to be naturally occurring. Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and AestheticsDWM conducted bacteria sampling (fecal coliform, E coli. and Enterococci) in Second Herring Brook at Route 123 (Main Street) crossing, Norwell (Station SH101), between July and October 2001 (Appendix A, Table A7). The three fecal coliform bacteria samples collected during the primary contact recreational season (1 April to 15 October) ranged from 37 to 70 cfu/100 ml. The geometric mean of all four fecal coliform bacteria counts was 53 cfu/100 ml. (It should be noted that Enterococcus counts were elevated.) No objectionable odors, deposits or any other conditions were observed by DWM personnel near the Route 123 (Main Street) crossing, Norwell (Station SH101), during the surveys conducted in Second Herring Brook between June and October 2001 (MassDEP 2001a). The Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetics uses for Second Herring Brook are assessed as support based on the limited fecal coliform bacteria data and the lack of aesthetically objectionable conditions. Second Herring Brook (MA94-26) Use Summary Table
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