Category: Watershed News

In a letter dated March 14, 2020 the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) took a strong position urging the Bridgewater Planning Board to deny a request from Claremont Corporation to amend zoning laws and waive resource area protections on a parcel of land located on the shoreline of Lake Nippenicket in order to allow construction of a restaurant.

TRWA after hearing from many residents of Bridgewater carefully reviewed the proposal and concluded the proposal affects not only our members who are residents of Bridgewater, but the mission of TRWA, which is to protect and restore the watershed’s natural resources for current and future generations, to build and support responsible stewardship of our fragile ecosystems, water quality, forests, farmland, and wetlands; provide opportunities for people to enjoy the river and the watershed’s open space; and be a voice for threatened land and water resources.

TRWA opposes this request because the proposed construction  would harm the water quality in Lake Nippenicket[1] and the ecological communities that inhabit the site and surrounding area. These impacts would occur as a result of earth removal and other work during construction, the rendering of a large portion of the property to impermeable surface, and the discharge of polluted stormwater runoff after the project is completed. Not to mention, this project sets a dangerous precedent for other future potential developments that may be planned within sensitive areas within the Town.

TRWA would like to thank the Bridgewater residents who called this matter to our attention and the many residents who attended the Bridgewater Planning Board Meeting to express their concern about the proposed zoning change.

For more information see our comment letter.

[1] Eutrophication has been recognized as a serious concern in Lake Nippenicket due to its shallow depths.

A riverfront resident called yesterday (June 22, 2019). He had six female terrapins crawling around his yard looking to nest. He grabbed them for us. Melissa and I collected and processed them right away. (George was away for a family hike in New Hampshire this weekend. He’s going to be very jealous when he finds out.) Two were already PIT tagged (i.e., recaptures).

Upon entering their data we found the following;

1. We now have 73 marked individual terrapins in the Lower Taunton River.
2. We now have three recaptures. Still a small number, but we tripled our total this weekend – thanks to this resident.
3. The “first” recaptured animal, 7041, was caught last year in the same yard after she nested on June 19, 2018. Her shell measurements are very similar to last year’s. (Differences are likely due to individual observer differences in reading the calipers – 0.5%-2% differences. Her mass was 13% (200g) greater this year. This is at least partially due to her still being gravid.
4. The second recapture is 7053. We counted her with eight annuli last year and (thankfully) counted 9 on her yesterday. She processed very similarly to 7041 – shell metrics within 2% and was 9% (100g) heavier this year. HOWEVER, there was something VERY exciting! In 2018 we caught her in a trap in Broad Cove.

We have been wondering about the movements of terrapins between Broad Cove and Assonet Bay turtles and their movements up and down the river. At some point since last year, 7053 moved from Broad Cove to Assonet Bay. When did she get to Assonet Bay? Did she do so just to reach this particular nesting area? If so, why? There is a nice nesting area, use by several terrapin, in Broad Cove? How long will she stay?

All six turtles were released back at the same yard by the end of the day.

If you happen to see any terrapins (turtles) trying to nest in your yard please notify TRWA at director@savethetaunton.org or 508-828-1101. We would love to add more to our study. They are endangered and can use a little help with safe nesting areas.

PS: Update – we are now up to 88 marked turtles!

Please join us this Saturday, May 11 at Sweets Knoll State Park at 1387 Somerset Avenue (Rt. 138) in Dighton to explore the property and identify the species of plants and animals who call this lovely riverside area home. Several biologists and botanists will be on hand to help us out. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will continue through mid-afternoon.

As you may be aware, the state park extends from Somerset Avenue (Route 138) down to the Taunton River. It includes grassland, woodland and shoreline habitats.

All are welcome — no special expertise required. We look forward to seeing you.

Saturday, February 23, 2019, 9:45 a.m. to 12 Noon
At the TRWA River Education Center
Sweets Knoll State Park
1387 Somerset Avenue, Dighton, MA 

Become a “Guardian of the Taunton River Watershed!” 
Join our Water Quality Monitoring Testing Team.

No prior technical experience is necessary!
Qualifications: A sense of adventure, a vehicle, and a desire to make a difference!

We are looking for volunteers willing to be available on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from March to November between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. to collect water samples and record basic observations at various stream sites on the Taunton River and its major tributaries. The water samples are then driven to the Taunton Waste Water Treatment Plant to be dropped off at the Veolia Lab for processing by 8:30 a.m. Most of our current 20 testing sites already have a volunteer(s) assigned to perform the monthly tests. Our greatest need right now is for additional team members and back up testers for each site who would be willing to cover for the regular testers when there are vacations, appointments or last minute vehicle emergencies. We try to match up volunteers with sites in their geographic area. Currently, we are testing in Berkley, Bridgewater, Dighton, Middleboro, Raynham, and Taunton. Check out our website for a complete list of the sites. Regular team members sample once a month as a back up tester, depending on how many sites you volunteer to back up, you may be called upon once or twice a season to perform sampling. Its a great way to “try out” some environmental activism!

The TRWA has been collecting data on the health of the Taunton River and its tributaries for 30 years.  Keeping this data set running is important.  It is an incredible tool for scientists, legislators, and environmental regulators–a snapshot of the river’s health and a record of environmental changes over time–and you can play a part in ensuring the continued study of this waterbody and track some changes as upgraded wastewater treatment plants come on line in 2019, 2021 and 2022.  Plug in!  Make a difference! 

This Training is Free of Charge

If possible, please register ahead of time by contacting us by email: trwa_staff@verizon.net

In case of inclement weather, the snow date will be 

Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Can you Picture Yourself Making a Difference?

The Taunton River Watershed Alliance and the Friends of Boyden Refuge, Inc. are teaming up again this year to host “Music & Poetry in the Grove,” an afternoon of entertainment at the Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge, 1298 Cohannet Street, Taunton.  This Sunday, May 6, from 2:00-5:00, bring your lawn chairs and picnic snacks and set up in the pine grove next to the Refuge parking lot.  The afternoon line up features Matt Borello, Sandy Borges, Louis Leeman, Nancy Brady Cunningham, “Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe, Ethel Fraga and a few surprise guest artists.  For more info, call our offices at 508-828-1101 or email director@savethetaunton.org

Please stop by to say hello at our display at the 2018 Bristol Aggie Spring Expo on Sunday May 6th from 10 to 3.  Learn more about some exciting upcoming events including a grand opening of new TRWA offices and a Taunton River Watershed Education Center at Sweets Knoll DCR Park in Dighton, a Wild and Scenic River Run, and return of the Taunton River Waterfront Festival.

TRWA had it’s annual Sampling Team Volunteer Training the last Saturday in February (2/24/18).  Once again we have a very enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteers for the 2018 sampling season!

The work of these Guardians of the Watershed is crucial to our ability to understand what is happening with pollutant levels and water quality in the Taunton River and its tributaries.  Most of the wastewater treatment plants in the watershed are undergoing upgrades to better remove nutrients (particularly nitrogen).  Tracking the current river condition and future conditions as these upgrade go online is important for a River like the Taunton which is a high percentage of treated wastewater effluent at critical summer low flow.

We owe a debt of gratitude to our Sampling Team Volunteers!

Saturday, February 24, 2018, 9:45 a.m. to 12 Noon
2nd floor library, Bristol County Agricultural High School 
135 Center Street, Dighton, MA 

Become a “Guardian of the Taunton River Watershed!” 
Join our Water Quality Monitoring Testing Team.

No prior technical experience is necessary!
Qualifications: A sense of adventure, a vehicle, and a desire to make a difference!

We are looking for volunteers willing to be available on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from March to November between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. to collect water samples and record basic observations at various stream sites on the Taunton River and its major tributaries. The water samples are then driven to the Taunton Waste Water Treatment Plant to be dropped off at the Veolia Lab for processing by 8:30 a.m. Most of our current 20 testing sites already have a volunteer assigned to perform the monthly tests. Our greatest need right now is for a complete set of back up testers for each site who would be willing to cover for the regular testers when there are vacations, appointments or last minute vehicle emergencies. We try to match up volunteers with sites in their geographic area. Currently, we are testing in Berkley, Bridgewater, Dighton, Middleboro, Raynham, and Taunton. Check out our website for a complete list of the sites. As a back up tester, depending on how many sites you volunteer to back up, you may be called upon once or twice a season to perform sampling. Its a great way to “try out” some environmental activism!

The TRWA has been collecting data on the health of the Taunton River and its tributaries for 30 years.  Keeping this data set running is important.  It is an incredible tool for scientists, legislators, and environmental regulators–a snapshot of the river’s health and a record of environmental changes over time–and you can play a part in ensuring the continued study of this waterbody.  Plug in!  Make a difference! 

This Training is Free of Charge

If possible, please register ahead of time by contacting us by email: trwa_staff@verizon.net

In case of inclement weather, the snow date will be 

Saturday, March 3, 2017, 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Can you Picture Yourself Making a Difference?