East Branch Assessment Report & Recommended Action Plan Housatonic River East Branch Stream Team 2014 Housatonic Valley Association The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), founded in 1941, works to conserve the natural character and environmental health of our communities by protecting and restoring the lands and waters of the Housatonic Watershed for this and future generations. This Stream Team Project was made possible by a grant from The Massachusetts Environmental Trust and from membership contributions. If you value water resources in Massachusetts show your support by ordering a Specialty “Preserve the Trust” License Plate. These license plates exclusively fund environmental programs. https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/SpecialPlates/intro.aspx The shoreline survey form and the concept of the Stream Teams is a statewide program coordinated by the Division of Ecological Restoration HVA office locations: Berkshire Office Connecticut Office New York Office 1383 Route 102, P.O. Box 251 150 Kent Road, P.O. Box 28 P.O. Box 315 South Lee, MA 01260 Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754 Wassaic, NY 12592 Phone: 413-394-9796 Phone: 860-672-6678 Phone: 845-879-1381 Fax: 413-394-9818 Fax: 860-672-0162 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.hvatoday.orgHVA East Branch Assessment Report | 1 Table of Contents I. Introduction: The East Branch Stream Team 3 II. Map of Housatonic River East Branch Segment 4 III. Section Descriptions and Proposed Action Items 5 IV. East Branch Section Maps 18 V. East Branch Feature Data Table 29 VI. East Branch Action Plan 35 VII. Progress Updates Since the 2000 Stream Team Report 36 VIII. Appendix A: Data Collection Survey Form 39 Stream Team Members Jeanne Rothman, Bob Paradysz, Donald Munger, Susan Purser, Cheryl Rose, Henry Rose, Jenny Hersch, Mike Darroch, Chris Regan, Alison Dixon, Dennis Regan Coordinating Organization The Housatonic Valley Association, P.O. Box 251, South Lee, MA 01260 Dennis Regan, Berkshire Director; Alison Dixon, Outreach Manager HVA East Branch Assessment Report | 2 I. Introduction: The East Branch Stream Team After 40 years of federal, state & local action under the Clean Water Act of 1972, most of the direct sewage and wastewaters that were legally discharged directly into our waterways have been eliminated. Unfortunately, a 2013 report issued by EPA still classifies more than half of the rivers still not safe for swimming, and their fish are not safe to eat1. Today’s pollution problem is primarily due to stormwater runoff (contaminated runoff from roadways, parking lots, lawns and farm fields). Failed septic systems, soil erosion and seepage from abandoned dumps and former landfills are also contributing factors. It is clear that more needs to be done to improve our water quality. These are difficult problems which require creative solutions, constant oversight and community support. Government agencies and regional environmental groups are striving to help communities find practical solutions to this current pollution problem through education, new technology and partnerships with community leaders, industry, and concerned citizens. Critical to these efforts is accurate local information on the quantity and quality of water flowing through our neighborhoods. Up-to-date knowledge about the condition of our rivers and the watershed is essential to determine which actions are recommended to improve our rivers’ health. Success requires involvement of our local communities. To this end, Stream Teams comprised of local volunteers are an effective and efficient way to collect this data. The East Branch Stream Team is one such team that has been organized by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) to collect data in the Massachusetts’ section of the Housatonic Watershed. Stream Teams are comprised of local volunteers that act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of their community. The volunteers identify and record the present condition and character of the river in their towns. Back in 2000, the initial East Branch Stream Team surveyed the river and completed a report of their findings and recommendations. Since then, many of their recommendations have been implemented. However, almost fifteen years have passed, and a new survey was warranted. In 2013 and 2014, the East Branch Stream Team inventoried the river from the headwaters at Muddy Pond downstream to Hubbard Avenue in Pittsfield. Several areas have been identified as public attributes, others as areas of concern that need remedial action. Team members have identified and prioritized the importance of these projects. HVA will now work with the community to implement these recommendations. This report is intended as a management resource not as a guide to paddling the river. A Paddling Guide to the Housatonic River in Berkshire County, published by HVA, is available on line or by contacting an HVA office (http://www.hvatoday.org/library/publications/.) 1Source: http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/riverssurvey/index.cfm HVA East Branch Assessment Report | 3 II. Map of Housatonic River East Branch Segment HVA East Branch Assessment Report | 4 III. Section Descriptions and Proposed Action Items The Section Maps (pages 18-28) locates the specific findings which are detailed in the Feature Data Table (pages 29-34). Section A: Muddy Pond to Bullards Crossing Road Surveyors: Jeanne Rothman and friends Distance: 1.4 miles Elevation: 1,445 feet to 1,430 feet Significant Tributaries: Bilodoe Brook Access Points: Muddy Pond, Bullards Crossing Rd. both unofficial Ecologically Sensitive Areas: Hinsdale Flats Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), 14,500 acres, 1992, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, and Washington Section Overview The East Branch begins at the outflow of Muddy Pond located on the border of Washington and Hinsdale. The pond is a small shallow water body of post-glacial origin. The outflow is narrow with clear water with abundant vegetation which makes passage difficult in low water. This stream feeds the large upland wetland known as the Hinsdale Flats. This section of river is located in a seemingly clean, pristine, wetland in an undeveloped natural setting. There is minimal human disturbance from houses or roads with the exception of the railroad tracks which are parallel to the river in this section. Wetland forests are located on the edges of this wide wetland area which is approximately 100 yards wide in this section. Section Condition Fish, turtles, fresh water mussels, birds, beavers, and other mammals are in abundance; as are moose droppings. The gentle twists and turns of the river makes for a very nice section to paddle, however numerous beaver dams have to be crossed and occasionally portaged. The water depth varies from a few inches in places to a few feet in others due to the dams. The predominant vegetation is low, thick wetland shrubs that provide shade to the water but not to the paddler. Purple loosestrife and Phragmites are abundant. A film of sediment or algae was observed along this stretch of river. HVA East Branch Assessment Report | 5 Section A: Muddy Pond to Bullards Crossing Road…continued Natural Resources Problems Priority Actions and Assets Undisturbed wetland area No official public access Explore possibilities of with abundant plants and developing public access at Evidence of algae or sediment animals. Excellent wildlife beginning and end of this covering river bottom in habitat. segment. areas. Check with MA Fish &Wildlife regarding the algae/sediment Section B: Bullards Crossing Rd. to Route 8 (Hinsdale) Surveyors: HVA Paddle Trip; Dennis Regan & Alison Dixon leaders Distance: 2.9 miles Elevation: 1,430 feet to 1,429 feet Significant Tributaries: Bennet Brook, Access Point Rt. 8 only for emergency only due to busy road, minimal roadway shoulders, and no parking. Ecologically Sensitive Areas: Hinsdale Flats Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Section Overview This section of river meanders through an extensive, healthy, and shrub dominated wetland until it reaches the raised railroad bed which cuts through the Hinsdale Flats. The river then abuts the tracks in a straight line for 0.8 miles. The resident beavers take full advantage of the raised bed and anchor one end of their dams to the raised bed. This section ends when the river then passes underneath Route 8. Section Condition Abundant wildlife such as water fowl, mammals, birds, and turtles are found in this area. The railroad tracks are the only human impact to this area. The water is clear water although colored by tannins. Beaver dams are abundant, especially along the railroad tracks. There is also a large stand of dead and dying maple trees in the wetland along railroad tracks. HVA East Branch Assessment Report | 6 Section B: Bullards Crossing Rd. to Route 8 (Hinsdale)…continued Natural Resources Problems Priority Actions and Assets Wild and scenic area. No official public Explore potential for developing public access access at the beginning and end of this section Section C: Route 8 Bridge to the Town Bridge in the Center of Hinsdale Surveyors: HVA Paddle Trip; Dennis Regan & Alison Dixon leaders Distance: 1.9 miles Elevation: 1,429 feet to 1,428 feet Significant Tributaries: Frisell Brook, Russo Brook Access Point: Ozzie’s Restaurant property (private property, permission required.) Ecologically Sensitive Areas: Hinsdale Flats Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Section Overview This section of river continues to meander through an extensive, healthy looking, and shrub dominated wetland. About a mile from downtown Hinsdale the river enters a forested landscape and continues towards town, passing houses on river right just upstream of downtown. Section Condition Abundant wildlife such as water fowl, mammals, birds, and turtles continue to be prevalent in this area. The water is clear water although a bit tannin. Beaver dams and very large beaver huts are abundant. Just upstream of downtown Hinsdale along the RR tracks, river left is an area where gravel has been dumped along the tracks and in the edge of the river.