Water Resources
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Water Resources Town of Newmarket Master Plan Adopted unanimously by the Newmarket Planning Board following a Public Hearing on November 10, 2020. Master Plan: Water Resources Chapter Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire 10.01.2020 Page 2 Master Plan: Water Resources Chapter Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... 5 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6 Vision Statement ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Water Resource Chapter Update ......................................................................................................... 7 Surface & Groundwater Resources ............................................................................. 8 Rivers & Perennial Brooks, Creeks, Streams, and Tributaries ............................................................... 8 Buffer Functions and Benefits ............................................................................................................... 10 Water Quality Impairments .................................................................................................................. 12 Lakes, Ponds, and Great Bay ............................................................................................................... 12 Stratified Drift Aquifers ........................................................................................................................... 14 Bedrock Aquifers ................................................................................................................................... 14 Federal/State Protection Measures .................................................................................................... 15 Existing Local Protection Measures ..................................................................................................... 16 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 16 Wetlands ....................................................................................................................... 17 Overview of Wetlands .......................................................................................................................... 17 Wetlands in Newmarket ....................................................................................................................... 18 Unique and Important Wetland Habitats ........................................................................................... 19 Federal/State Protection Measures .................................................................................................... 21 Existing Local Protection Measures ..................................................................................................... 21 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 22 Floodplains ................................................................................................................... 23 Overview of Floodplains ....................................................................................................................... 23 Special Flood Hazard Areas ................................................................................................................. 24 Riverine and Coastal Flooding and Flood Prone Areas in Newmarket .......................................... 24 Past Flooding Events ............................................................................................................................. 25 Compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program ............................................................... 26 Additional Studies, Plans, and Initiatives ............................................................................................ 28 Federal/State Protection Measures .................................................................................................... 29 Existing Local Protection Measures ..................................................................................................... 29 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 29 Potential Threats to Water Resources ........................................................................ 31 Overview ................................................................................................................................................ 31 10.01.2020 Page 3 Master Plan: Water Resources Chapter Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire Local Upgrades and Efforts .................................................................................................................. 31 Groundwater Threats ............................................................................................................................ 32 Surface Water Threats........................................................................................................................... 35 Regulatory and Conservation Challenges ........................................................................................ 38 Federal/State Protection Measures .................................................................................................... 40 Existing Local Protection Measures ..................................................................................................... 40 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 40 Implementation Key .................................................................................................... 42 Implementation Matrix ................................................................................................ 43 10.01.2020 Page 4 Master Plan: Water Resources Chapter Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire Acknowledgements The Town of Newmarket is greatly indebted to all who participated either directly or indirectly in the process of developing the 2020 Water Resources chapter. From service on municipal boards to professional technical assistance the input and guidance from so many individuals helped to shape the recommendations and vision presented herein. The town extends a thank you in advance to all who will work to implement this plan and its recommendations in the future. A special acknowledgement should be offered to chapter’s primary funder, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Drinking Water Source Protection Program. This program has been essential in providing technical and financial assistance, and to enforce state regulations that serve to protect the state’s sources of drinking water. The contributions of those identified below are particularly noteworthy. Master Plan Steering Committee Bill Arcieri, Member At-Large Gretchen Kast, Town Council Michal Zahorik, Planning Board Alternate Patrick Reynolds, Conservation Commission Val Shelton, Planning Board Town of Newmarket Planning Board Town of Newmarket Staff Eric Botterman, Chair Diane Hardy, AICP, Town Planner Valerie Shelton, Vice Chair Sean Greig, Environmental Services Director Christian Matthews, Town Council ex officio Steve Fournier, Town Manager Jamie Bruton, Member Jane Ford, Member Strafford Regional Planning Commission Jon Kiper, Town Council ex officio Jen Czysz, AICP, Executive Director Michal Zahorik, Alternate Alaina Rogers, Data Collection & Analysis Assistant Sarah Finch, Member Kyle Pimental, Principal Regional Planner Ted Seely, Alternate Jackson Rand, GIS Planner Bill Doucet, Member Front Cover: Photograph by Bill Doucet A special thanks to Bill Doucet and Mike Hickey for all the local photos. 10.01.2020 Page 5 Master Plan: Water Resources Chapter Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire Introduction The protection and use of water resources are critical concerns to the Town of Newmarket. With virtually all residents dependent upon wells for domestic use, the quantity and quality of available groundwater must be protected from depletion and contamination. Other Town water resources, such as swamps, ponds, streams, and wetlands are important because they are hydrologically related to groundwater, and provide ecological, scenic, and recreational value to residents. In general, there is a direct relationship between land use and water quality. It is the responsibility of the Town to take reasonable and prudent precautions to protect all water resources from incompatible uses, thus protecting the health and general welfare of the community. Appropriate steps should be taken by the Town to ensure that enough water supply exists for use by Newmarket residents, as well as native wildlife and plant communities. The Town needs to examine and address water supply issues, watershed management, pollution, and potential aquifers/gravel areas. Vision Statement Protect all water resources in Newmarket from threats that include but are not limited to contamination, depletion, alteration, and degradation