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WMA water withdrawal Summary (APPENDIX E, TABLE E5)
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WMA water withdrawal Summary (APPENDIX E, TABLE E5)
*System-wide withdrawal, all sources are not necessarily within this segment. There are also approximately 45 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 0.40 MGD. Use AssessmentAquatic LifeHabitat and FlowThe habitat in the upper reach of First Herring Brook, downstream from First Parish Road in Scituate, was limited most by the low flow conditions that were encountered with a habitat assessment score of 134 out of 200 (MassDEP 2001b). Stage height and streamflow data for First Herring Brook near both Old Forge Road and Eisenhower Lane are available as part of the Massachusetts Riverways Programs pilot River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS) project (MA DFG 2005). Both gages were found to have very low flows during the summer months. While these conditions may be natural given the very small size of the drainage area, the influence of groundwater withdrawals on streamflow and other manipulation(s) associated with the Scituate DPW Water Division is unknown at this time but is of concern (Kearns 2006). BiologyMDFW and DWM conducted backpack electrofishing in First Herring Brook in September 2001 (near the headwaters of this segment) approximately 100 meters downstream from the small impoundment south of First Parish Road in Scituate (Station #473) (Richards 2003). Sampling at this station yielded two species of fish, 13 American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and three redfin pickerel (Esox americanus americanus). Both of these species are classified as tolerant of environmental stressors. American eel is a catadromous species, which spawns in the ocean but spends the majority of its life in freshwater systems. Given the small drainage area at this sampling station and the low gradient of this system, it is not unexpected to find low species diversity. The lack of any fluvial species, however, should be noted. Chemistry – waterDWM conducted water quality monitoring (DO and % saturation, temperature, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, chlorides, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and/or total phosphorus) in First Herring Brook at the outlet of Tack Factory Pond near Route 3A, Scituate (Station FH101) between June and October 2001 (Appendix A, Tables A6 and A7). These data are summarized below. Dissolved oxygen and percent saturation The DO ranged from 4.3 to 8.4 mg/L with saturations between 47 and 82%. These data represent both daytime and pre-dawn measurements. Temperature The maximum temperature in First Herring Brook was 28.0C. pH, hardness, and alkalinity The pH of First Herring Brook was low ranging from 5.6 to 6.1 SU (n=7). Hardness was also low ranging from 24 to 32 mg/L as was alkalinity 5 to 7 mg/L (n=4). Conductivity Specific conductance ranged from 183 to 218 S/cm (n=7). Ammonia-nitrogen No detectable concentrations of ammonia-nitrogen (exclusive of qualified data) were found in First Herring Brook. Total phosphorus The total phosphorus concentrations measured in samples collected from First Herring Brook ranged from 0.046 to 0.069 mg/L (n=5 with an average concentration = 0.06 mg/L). The Aquatic Life Use for First Herring Brook is assessed as support based primarily on the in-situ water quality data. Although low dissolved oxygen and/or saturation, low pH, and moderate concentrations of total phosphorus were documented, these conditions are considered to be naturally occurring as a result of wetland influence. The influence of groundwater withdrawals on streamflow and the Scituate DPW Water Division’s practices related to flow manipulation at the reservoir just downstream from Tack Factory Pond to Old Oaken Bucket Pond are of concern so the Aquatic Life Use is identified with an Alert Status. Primary and Secondary Contact RECREATION and AestheticsDWM conducted bacteria sampling (fecal coliform, E coli. and Enterococci) in First Herring Brook at the outlet of Tack Factory Pond near Route 3A, Scituate (Station FH101), 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 25 to 410 cfu/100 ml (geometric mean = 104 cfu/100 ml) and only one of the three samples exceeded 200 cfu/100 ml. The geometric mean of all four fecal coliform bacteria counts was 53 cfu/100 ml. With the exception of a small amount of algal and foam near the outlet structure on two occasions, no other objectionable odors, deposits or any other conditions were observed by DWM personnel at the outlet of Tack Factory Pond near Route 3A, Scituate (Station FH101), between July and October 2001 (MassDEP 2001a). In December 2000 a shoreline survey of First Herring Brook was conducted as part of the First Herring Brook Watershed Initiative (FHBWI undated). No objectionable deposits, odors, scum or obvious signs of pollution were observed during the survey. The stream was described as flowing well with good clarity and aquatic habitat and well-vegetated banks.
First Herring Brook (MA94-25) 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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