Grassland Habitat Managing the ecosystem of Wachusett’s North Dike Ken MacKenzie, DCR Wildlife Biologist

A kestrel nest box stands sentry in the middle of Wachusett Reservoir’s North Dike. DCR has started managing a portion of the dike’s expanse as habitat for several breeding birds.

uring the construction of the Wachusett Dam (completed in 1906), some areas of new shoreline required fortifi- Dcation with earth and stone dikes to ensure a safe and stable container for the 65 billion gallons of water soon to be stored in the reservoir. The North and South Dikes, located on either side of the dam, comprise 2.5 miles of shoreline, averaging just over 380 feet in width and covering 116 acres. The history of these earthen berms’ management is very interesting, as is their modern function as wildlife habitat for uncommon migra- tory birds. The dikes have gone through many the dikes have become grasslands, transformations over the years. From kept open by mowing on an irregular 1916 until about 1936 the land was schedule. leased as hay fields. In 1940, the Due to damage inflicted in 2005 by North Dike was planted with red Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans, pine and arborvitae. A December the Federal Emergency Management 1973 storm destroyed most of the red Agency (FEMA) devised new guide- pine, and by February of 1974 it was lines for dikes and dams. The revised all removed. Once again, the land FEMA guidelines consider trees and was leased to local farmers for corn, other woody plants growing on earthen wheat, soybeans and hay. Agriculture dams and dikes a safety issue. Not only NUMBER 32 ceased in 1997 because the crops were do they interfere with safety inspec- Fall 2014 attracting geese, which degrade water tions, but decaying roots could create quality. The following year, 3,000 seepage paths or internal erosion. Department seedlings of red oak, white oak and Trees and woody brush can also attract of Conservation and Recreation sugar maple were planted. Unfortu- burrowing animals, which can cause Division of Water Supply Protection nately, most of the seedlings did not structural or hydraulic problems. As a www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply survive that dry summer. Since then, Continued on Page 4 2 Downstream • Fall 2014 Maintenance at Quabbin’s Winsor Dam How do they mow that steep slope? By Scott Campbell, DCR Regional Engineer, insor Dam and the Good- nough Dike, constructed Wbetween 1935 and 1939, are two earthen dam structures that together impound about 412 billion gallons of water from the Swift River Valley and . Winsor Dam, the larger of the two structures, spans 2,640 feet in length and rises 170 feet above the original bed of the Swift River. is only slightly smaller, span- ning 2,140 feet and rising 135 feet above the original bed of Beaver Brook. Combined, the two structures contain more than 55 acres of grassed landscape areas, roughly eight acres of In This Issue:

Working With Nature 1 A slippery slope? This view of the back of Quabbin Reservoir’s Winsor Dam shows the Grassland habitat on the Wachusett dikes daunting task facing the mower (in the center of the picture). It takes two days to mow the whole face of the dam. Winsor Dam 2 Maintaining Quabbin Reservoir’s dam rip rap stone embankment, and more cover that is easily inspected and resis- than two miles of drainage ditches and tant to erosion. As many homeowners Dam Inspections 3 DWSP efforts to keep their dams safe subsurface piping. The varied land- could personally attest to, challenges scapes and positions present unique to maintaining a healthy turf cover are Kids Corner 7 challenges with maintaining stable and many, including competing weeds, The dam and dike crossword vegetated conditions that support the soil drought, and nutrient deficiencies Then and Now 8 function and performance of the dams. to name a few. These conditions are Metropolitan Water Works meets the Labor crews stationed at the only made worse on steeply sloping Digital Commonwealth Quabbin Administration Building in grounds such as those that occupy the Photo/Image Credits Belchertown are charged with caring downstream embankments of the two Page 1 Ken MacKenzie for the grounds and landscapes associ- structures whose grades approach 50% Page 2 Top - Quabbin Visitors Center Bottom - Jim Taylor ated with the dam and dike. Regular (i.e., 1 on 2 - rise to run). It is a daunt- Page 3 Jim Taylor Page 4 Ken MacKenzie and Jim Taylor maintenance duties include brush ing task to operate equipment that can Page 5 Ken MacKenzie (all) Page 6 Top - Quabbin Visitors Center cutting, ditch and catch basin cleaning, traverse these steep slopes. Bottom - Ed Connor Page 7 Top - Kris Keevan leaf collection and removal, clearing of To overcome these inherent chal- Bottom - Joy Trahan-Liptak snow from driveways and general lawn lenges and dangers, DCR and its Page 8 Massachusetts State Archives maintenance. One of the more daunt- predecessors have employed numer- ing tasks is the regular mowing of the ous tools and equipment, including the predominately grassed landscape that use of manual scythes, conventional covers much of the embankment slopes farm tractors, and specialized slope and toe areas of the dam. tilting mowers. Annual Reports made A healthy, dense cover of low between 1939 and 1945 also make growing grass is the preferred vegeta- reference to an experimental goat tive cover for earthen dams because it grazing program that was employed Taking a walk on the North Dike. offers a maintainable, stable vegetative Continued on Page 6 Downstream • Fall 2014 3 Dam Inspections and Maintenance DCR’s efforts to keep them safe and secure By Joel Zimmerman, DCR Regional Planner, Bill Moulton, DCR Regional Engineer, Wachusett Reservoir, and Ed Connor, DCR Civil Engineer

hen you say dams and What’s the difference between a dam and a dike? watershed management, Dams and dikes have similar functions: to hold back water. The difference? A dam has one thinks immediately of active features, such as a spillway to send excess water on its way downstream, as W well as control structures, like intakes, valves and gates. A dike merely functions as Winsor or Wachusett dams – magnifi- cent feats of engineering holding back an impounding ‘shoreline’, keeping water in place. There are a variety of dam and dike designs. These cross-section diagrams of the Wachusett Dam, Wachusett Dikes, and billions of gallons of water. Did you Quabbin Reservoir’s Winsor Dam are common designs used in the New England area. know, however, that DCR’s Division of Crest Water Supply Protection also has care WACHUSETT DAM Water Line and control of 28 other dams, most of The Wachusett Dam utilizes a rubble and concrete core, with a Stone Facing them very small, throughout the water- ‘key’ reaching down to bedrock. Upstream Side Downstream shed system? Engineers based at the The dam is encased on both sides Rubble Core Side Quabbin and Wachusett field offices with concrete and cut stone con- Reservoir Floor Heel Toe inspect and maintain these structures, struction. Key keeping them in compliance with all Bedrock Wachusett’s North and South Dikes federal and state regulations. are constructed of layers of fill and WACHUSETT DIKES Dam maintenance is an expensive silt excavated during construction Crest venture. MWRA utilizes its Capital of the reservoir, bermed up to a flat Water Line Improvement Program (CIP) to budget top and faced with stone rip-rap on Rip-Rap Face the reservoir side. “Fill” the significant funds - more than $20 Reservoir Floor million since 2005 - required for nec- The Winsor Dam at the Quab- essary infrastructure rehabilitation and bin Reservoir is more elaborately constructed, with a concrete improvements to the four largest dams WINSOR DAM caisson wall set on bedrock, rising and two dikes in the watershed system Upstream Side Downstream up through the center of the dam. – Winsor (Quabbin), Wachusett, Side This wall is further encased on both Fill ‘Shoulder’ Sudbury, and Foss Dams, as well as sides by a clay core and fill is used Crest Soil the North and South Dikes at Wachu- as a ‘shoulder’ to give the dam its Water Line Dressing sett Reservoir. All other expenses are shape. The reservoir side of the Rip-Rap & dam is faced with rip-rap near the Stone Facing covered by DCR’s Watershed Manage- top, graduating to finer crushed Clay Core Reservoir Floor ment annual budget. stone beneath the water’s surface. Heel Toe State Dam Safety regulations, 302 The back of the dam is dressed Concrete Caisson Wall Key CMR 10.00, are administered by with topsoil and maintained turf. Bedrock the Office of Dam Safety, which is a separate section within DCR. These regulations classify dams into four - Reservoir Watch - sizes: large, intermediate, small, and Reservoir levels and 6-month precipitation System-wide 6-month Water Usage non-jurisdictional. Dams are also clas- Reservoir Quabbin Wachusett sified by hazard type: (in million gallons per day) Minimum 524.95′ 388.1′ March to August 2014 % Full 90.7% 86.4% Hazard Inspection 250 228.99 227.33 Classification Description Frequency Date(s) 3/3/14 3/10/14 218.93 192.44 192.9 High Failure will likely Two years 3/12/14 200 181.48 (Class I) cause loss of life and serious 150 damage. Maximum 529.26′ 391.06′ Significant Failure may cause Five years 100 (Class (II) loss of life and % Full 98.6% 92.1% damage. Date(s) 5/28/14 5/3/14 50 Low Failure may cause Ten years (Class III) minimal property damage and loss of 0 life is not expected. Precipitation 26.23″ 24.12″ Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Seasonal Avg 25.22″ 23.36″ Continued on Page 6 4 Downstream • Fall 2014 Grasslands From Page 1 result, trees are no longer allowed to seeps, sink holes and other damage. Resources Section, resulted in a draft grow on the dikes or near the toes and In order to best perform these tasks, mowing plan in 2014, accommodat- abutments; all existing trees, stumps, vegetation on sloped areas needs to ing FEMA recommendations while and roots must be removed. be kept short, which requires frequent also promoting large open grasslands, The Massachusetts Water Resources mowing. which are a declining habitat in the Authority (MWRA) and the DCR Soon after the grass was estab- northeast. Division of Water Supply Protection lished, DWSP’s Natural Resources The challenge was to find a place (DWSP) finalized plans in 2012 to Section recognized the habitat poten- on the dikes where grass could be remove all trees, mostly white pine, tial of the dikes. The three new allowed to grow tall enough to provide spruce and arbor vitae, from the North expanses of tree-free, open land could nesting habitat for grassland birds, but and South Dikes. After cutting and be managed for wildlife species of was still short enough to allow DCR stumping, the earthen dikes were concern that do not impact water qual- engineers the ability to conduct routine graded and stabilized with grass cover. ity or dam infrastructure. inspections. A 30 acre site on the FEMA recommendations require A cooperative effort between North Dike (see below) was identified routine inspection of the dikes for DWSP Engineers and the Natural that could be managed for breeding

Wachusett Dikes Grassland Habitat Wachusett Dike Characteristics Length: The figure below shows the northeast portion of the Wachusett North Dike West...... 6,500’ Reservoir, with the two dikes denoted in patterned color. Tan col- North Dike East...... 4,200’ ored tones show areas that must be kept mowed for regular dike South Dike...... 2,500’ inspections, while green areas (dark for existing, light for proposed) Total Length of All Dikes ...... 13,200’ are left undisturbed from May to July, providing increasingly uncom- Area: mon tall grassland habitat. While these “Habitat Areas” provide Mowed Area ...... 74 acres nesting and cover, mowed areas also contribute to the open charac- Habitat Area (existing and proposed) ...... 42 acres ter required by grassland dwelling wildlife. Total Area ...... 116 acres

Town of Clinton

Wachusett Dam North Dike East Total Area...... 29 Acres Habitat Area...... 8.5 Acres (Proposed - Shown in pale green)

Cemetery Island North Dike West Total Area...... 63.7 Acres Habitat Area..... 28.8 Acres South Dike (Shown in dark green) Total Area..... 23.2 Acres Habitat Area.... 4.2 Acres (Proposed - Wachusett Reservoir Shown in pale green) Downstream • Fall 2014 5

pairs of meadowlarks on North Dike box was erected on the eastern portion West during the early breeding season of North Dike West. The results were in 2014. Of those three pair, two better than expected: the pair occupied fledged young. If this habitat manage- the box in its first year. MassWildlife ment continues to promote meadow- banded the adult female and five nest- lark breeding, their numbers could lings in early July 2014. They fledged grow and may expand into the other less than two weeks later and were managed sections of the Dikes. Populations of American Kestrels, a small falcon also known as a sparrow hawk, have also declined significantly due to farmland being reclaimed as forest and suburban development. The A meadowlark rests in the North Dike preferred habitats for the Kestrel ― grasslands. pastures, hay meadows, and old fields grassland bird species habitat. ― are becoming increasingly rare This long, rectangular-shaped area in Massachusetts. The North Dike will serve as a pilot project to deter- presents an ideal place for this target mine the feasibility of this type of species to breed and forage. Many different species, including these Kestrels, like meadowlarks, primar- wild turkeys, are taking advantage of the habitat management. If successful, dike’s new grassland habitat. additional areas can be similarly man- ily eat insects such as grasshoppers, aged on another 30 acre portion of the crickets, cicadas, and beetles. They seen hunting the grassy plains. Many North Dike as well as 25 acres on the can also eat moles, voles and other other wildlife species also benefit from South Dike. While the most critical small mammals as well as snakes and grasslands on the dikes. areas of the dikes, particularly slopes, frogs. Large open grassy areas like the Other bird species, including red- are to be mowed regularly for safety Wachusett dikes provide good dietary wing blackbirds and turkeys, benefit inspections, habitat areas will be diversity which helps to encourage from the increased amount and type of allowed to grow taller from early May successful breeding. food available with taller grass. The to the middle/end of July to accom- After seeing kestrels hunting on managed fields also provide habitat to modate the nesting season of grassland North Dike West in the spring of small mammals such as meadow voles birds. The primary target species of 2013, MassWildlife Ornithologist Dr. and jumping mice, which are impor- this habitat plan are two migratory Andrew Vitz proposed installing a tant food sources for many birds of birds, the Eastern Meadowlark and the kestrel nest box on the Dike. Gener- prey. Coyotes and red foxes regularly American Kestrel. ally an open area of 50 acres is needed visit the area, helping to control bur- Meadowlarks are a colorful relative to support a breeding pair of kestrels, rowing animals such as woodchucks. of the blackbird family that eat mostly but smaller patches like the North Tiger swallowtails, monarchs and frit- insects, but may eat seeds and fruits as Dike will suffice if there is a consider- illaries are some of the butterflies that well. The females usually migrate to able amount of open habitat around can be seen feeding on an abundance Massachusetts in early May and often the nest box. In early 2014 the nest of wildflowers. start laying eggs immediately. Their Following the first year’s success nest, a well-concealed cup made of of the pilot cutting plan, the two other woven grasses and other plant mate- proposed locations will also be man- rial, is usually located in tall grass. A aged to provide breeding areas for major threat to this birds population is meadowlarks and other grassland nest- repeated mowing of hay fields during ing bird species. DCR and MassWild- the nesting season. According to the life will also explore the possibility of most recent Massachusetts Breed- installing two more kestrel boxes. The ing Bird Atlas, published by Mass efforts on the Wachusett dikes dem- Audubon, Eastern Meadowlarks have onstrates how DCR constantly strives suffered one of the sharpest declines of to balance the impacts of wildlife on any species in the state. The expanse of wildflowers at the North drinking water quality while being a DCR biologists documented three Dike attracts many butterflies. steward for a vast range of species. 6 Downstream • Fall 2014 Winsor Dam Maintenance - from Page 2 components of the dam. Mowing and at the Dike. Today, DCR utilizes a and ground conditions. Vegetation other vegetation management efforts specialized, dual-tired slope mower may also provide habitat and shelter- are critical components of the dam that offers a low center of gravity and ing for burrowing animals. If left maintenance and inspection programs built-in weight transfer system specifi- unchecked and uncontrolled, deep that DCR implements to ensure the cally designed to improve stability and penetrations from roots of woody safety and long-term dependability of traction on steep slopes. vegetation or burrowing animals could the infrastructure holding back billions Vegetation management efforts on penetrate and structurally compromise of gallons of drinking water. the dams are an important compliment to the regular inspection program that is carried out by DCR Engineers, Natu- ral Resources, and Maintenance staff. Periodic inspections provide surveil- lance for developing or potentially threatening conditions. They also offer an assessment of the structural integrity of the dam and document that dam behavior and conditions are as expected. Uncontrolled vegetation in these areas is unwanted because it Mowing at Quabbin Reservoir, past and present. While the equipment has been upgraded obscures visual inspections of slope over the years, maintenance staff still have to lean into their work to keep the dam and dike neat and safe.

Dam Inspections - from Page 3 and frequency of vibration. Changes DCR Watershed Management staff depressions, sinkholes, deterioration in an electromagnetic field, along with perform monthly assessments on the of mortar that joins the stones, loosen- temperature, are automatically sent to High Hazard dams and semi-annual ing or movement of the blocks, and a remote monitoring station at the base assessments of the smaller dams. leakage along the joints or between the of the dams. This information informs MWRA funds and manages Profes- blocks. the engineers if there is a problem sional Engineers that specialize in dam DCR engineers do not rely solely developing with the dam long before safety to complete full inspections on on visual assessments. Water pressure there is any evidence from the surface all the dams in the watershed system and temperature data at the Wachusett assessment. based, at a minimum, on the regula- and Sudbury Dams is collected using Investments in dam inspections and tion’s potential hazard classification. a vibrating wire piezometer. This maintenance by DCR and MWRA will State and federal guidelines require bullet shaped tool encases a sensitive keep these critical structures func- that dam inspectors should be aware of stainless steel diaphragm that reacts tioning for years to come. The two a wide range of issues while survey- to changing water pressure, which in agencies have developed federally ing a dam, including: faulty drainage, turn affects an attached wire’s tension mandated Emergency Action Plans undesirable vegetation, debris, poor for each High and Significant Hazard joint condition, failure of previous Dam. These documents contain repairs, and poor environmental condi- procedures that will be followed in the tions that can potentially pose a safety unlikely event of a dam failure, includ- hazard to personnel or hinder the ing contact information for local, state, inspection. While walking along the and federal responders and media. dike or dam, DCR engineers have to The Office of Watershed Manage- keep their eyes peeled for a wide vari- ment is committed to keeping all of the ety of potential problems, such as mis- dams under its control inspected and alignments, cracks, settlement, animal maintained so these Emergency Action burrows, seepage, slides, scarps, The Wachusett Dam is designed to Plans will never have to be imple- bulges, bald spots, erosion gullies, impound up to 65 billion gallons of water. mented. Downstream • Fall 2014 7 Kids Corner The Dams and Dikes Crossword Most of this puzzle’s answers are relate to dams, dikes, the Reservoir System and its surrounding environment. There may be clues in the other articles. Good luck! (answers at bottom of page)

Across 3. Water transportation 6. Baby trees 9. Eagle found at Quabbin and Wachusett 10. Down_____, famous publication 13. Predator’s lunch 14. Animals leave this behind 15. The visible side of a mountain or dam 16. Swift _____ Valley 17. Winsor _____

Down 1. Bundles of dry grass 2. Fills reservoirs 4. “ ______area” created on Wachusett Dikes 5. ___ pine, destroyed by 1973 storm 6. Steep ______can make mowing difficult 7. Honkers that can degrade water quality 8. Federal rule maker for dams and dikes 11. Take a little off 12. Area measure 16. Sun god

And another thing... by J. Taylor For more information about... Northeast Grassland Habitat: New Hampshire Cooperative Extension http://extension.unh.edu/Grassland-Habitats Cornell Cooperative Extension www.rauscherfarm.org/Fields-Grassland_Birds.pdf Dam Inspections and Maintenance: DCR Office of Dam Safety www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/conservation/dam-safety Association of State Dam Safety Officials www.damsafety.org DCR Archives: DCR Office of Cultural Resources, Archives Management puzzle answers The “Wach-ness” Monster? www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/ Weighing in a 24.2 pounds and just over 40” long, this Lake Trout was recently net-caught (and released!) by DCR’s Jaimie conservation/cultural-resources/ Carr as part of Mass Wildlife’s annual fish survey at the Wachu- archives-management.html sett Reservoir. Believe it or not, this whopper was topped in weight by a 29.2 pounder captured at the Quabbin Reservoir. Sorry anglers, we can’t tell you exactly where to find the big fish. 8 Downstream • Fall 2014 Then and Now The Digital Commonwealth By Sean Fisher, DCR Archivist CR, MWRA, and the Mas- ings, schools, churches, sachusetts State Archives cemeteries, and rail- Drecently announced the avail- road stations. About ability of 8,800 photographic images 50 different cities and that document the Metropolitan Water towns, as well as several Works (MWW) System between 1895 neighborhood and 1926 through the Digital Com- districts, can be seen in monwealth website – www.digitalcom- this collection. These monwealth.org. This treasure trove of pictures, mostly derived photographs documents the construc- from 7,839 glass plate tion and early operation of the water negatives, represent the supply distribution system throughout Boston area’s drinking metropolitan Boston at the start of the water system prior to the 20th Century. 1926-1940 expansion The collection covers the Wachusett that culminated in the An example of one of the 8,800 detailed images of the Reservoir, Wachusett Dam, Wachusett construction of the Quab- Boston drinking water system’s early construction now Aqueduct, Sudbury Reservoir, Sud- bin Reservoir. available through Digital Commonwealth. bury Dam, Weston Aqueduct, Weston The Boston Public Reservoir, and the associated pipe Library Digital Services, through its no cost to the inter-agency collabora- lines, pumping stations, reservoirs, partnership with Digital Common- tors. More details about this project and standpipes. The images include wealth, utilized federal and state grants will be published in the next issue of homes, businesses, mills, town build- to digitally transform the collection at Downstream. downstream Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection Office of Watershed Management 180 Beaman Street West Boylston, MA 01583 (508) 792-7806 ex. 363

Downstream is produced twice a year by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection. It includes articles of interest to the Watershed System communities. Our goal is to inform the public about watershed protection issues and activities, provide a conduit for public input and promote environmentally responsible land man- agement practices.

Governor: Deval L. Patrick EOEEA Secretary: Maeve Vallely Bartlett DCR Commissioner: John P. Murray DWSP Director: Jonathan L. Yeo Downstream Editor: James E. Taylor