French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality

41/42-AC-1

FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS

2001 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

Quinebaug River upstream of bridge off of Alexander Road, Holland

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS BOB DURAND, SECRETARY MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAUREN A. LISS, COMMISSIONER BUREAU OF RESOURCE PROTECTION CYNTHIA GILES, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER DIVISION OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT GLENN HAAS, DIRECTOR

French River upstream of Hodges Village Dam, Oxford NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

LIMITED COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST TO:

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT 627 MAIN STREET WORCESTER, MA 01608

This report is also available from MA DEP’s home page on the World Wide Web at: http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/wm/wmpubs.htm

Furthermore, at the time of first printing, eight copies of each report published by this office are submitted to the State Library at the State House in Boston; these copies are subsequently distributed as follows:

· On shelf; retained at the State Library (two copies); · Microfilmed retained at the State Library; · Delivered to the Boston Public Library at Copley Square; · Delivered to the Worcester Public Library; · Delivered to the Springfield Public Library; · Delivered to the University Library at UMass, Amherst; · Delivered to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Moreover, this wide circulation is augmented by inter-library loans from the above-listed libraries. For example a resident in Dudley can apply at their local library for loan of any MA DEP DWM report from the Worcester Public Library.

A complete list of reports published since 1963 is updated annually and printed in July. This report, entitled, “Publications of the Massachusetts Division of Watershed Management – Watershed Planning Program, 1963- (current year)”, is also available by writing to the DWM in Worcester.

DISCLAIMER

References to trade names, commercial products, manufacturers, or distributors in this report constituted neither endorsement nor recommendations by the Division of Watershed Management for use.

FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS

2001 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

Prepared by:

Laurie E. Kennedy, Stella Kiras, and Richard McVoy, Ph. D.

Department of Environmental Protection Division of Watershed Management

Report Number:

41/42-AC-1

DWM Control Number:

51.0

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Division of Watershed Management Worcester, Massachusetts

March 2002 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Coordination of local, state and federal agencies and private organizations is fundamental to the success of the Massachusetts Watershed Initiative. We would like to thank John Desmond, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and the French/Quinebaug River Watershed Team for facilitating that process. Data and information used in this report were provided in part by the following agencies and organizations:

State · Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), French/Quinebaug Watershed Team · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP): - Bureau of Resource Protection - Bureau of Strategic Policy and Technology’s Wall Experiment Station - Bureau of Waste Prevention - Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup · Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) · Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement (DFWELE) - Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) - Riverways Program · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM) · Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP)

Federal · United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) · United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) · United States Geological Survey (USGS) - Water Resources Division

Much appreciation is also extended to several MA DEP employees for their contributions: Jim Blair, Terry Beaudoin, Richard Chase, Jane Colonna-Romano, Tom Dallaire, Ken Dominick, John Fiorentino, Elaine Hartman, Bob Maietta, Juliet Mathers, Arthur Screpetis, and Mollie Weinstein.

It is impossible to thank everyone who contributed to the assessment report process: field, laboratory, data management, writing, editing, and graphics, as well as meetings, phone calls, and many e-mails. All of these contributions are very much appreciated.

Cover photo credit: French River – Staff photographer, United States Army Corps of Engineers, New England District Quinebaug River – Laurie Kennedy, MA DEP Division of Watershed Management

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents ...... i List of Tables and Figures ...... i List of Acronyms...... iii List of Units ...... iii Executive Summary ...... iv Introduction...... Assessment Methodology ...... French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Description and Classification...... Summary of Existing Conditions and Perceived Problems...... Sources of Information...... Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) ...... Objectives...... Report Format ...... French River Watershed - River Segment Assessments ...... Town Meadow Brook (Segment MA42-01) ...... Town Meadow Brook (Segment MA42-02) ...... Burncoat Brook (Segment MA42-07) ...... Bartons Brook (Segment MA42-08) ...... French River (Segment MA42-03) ...... French River (Segment MA42-04) ...... Unnamed Tributary (Segment MA42-12)...... Wellington Brook (Segment MA42-11) ...... Little River (Segment MA42-09)...... Mill Brook (Segment MA42-10)...... French River (Segment MA42-05) ...... French River (Segment MA42-06) ...... French River Watershed - Lake Assessments ...... Quinebaug River Watershed - River Segment Assessments...... Quinebaug River (Segment MA41-01) ...... Wales Brook (Segment MA41-08)...... Mill Brook (Segment MA41-07)...... Quinebaug River (Segment MA41-02) ...... Cady Brook (Segment MA41-05)...... Cady Brook (Segment MA41-06)...... Quinebaug River (Segment MA41-09) ...... Quinebaug River (Segment MA41-03) ...... Quinebaug River (Segment MA41-04) ...... Quinebaug River Watershed - Lake Assessments ...... Literature Cited......

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A - DATA VALIDATION REPORT FOR 1999 MA DEP/DWM FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER BASINS MONITORING DATA (ALSO INCLUDES 1998 AND 1994 FISH TOXICS MONITORING DATA) APPENDIX B - 1999 MA DEP DWM FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER BASINS SURVEY DATA (ALSO INCLUDES 1998 AND 1994 FISH TOXICS MONITORING DAT A) APPENDIX C - TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM #TM- 41/42- FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS 1999 BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT APPENDIX D - SUMMARY OF NPDES AND WMA PERMITTING INFORMATION, FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER BASINS APPENDIX E - MA DEP GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS APPENDIX F - SUMMARY OF INSTREAM FLOW STUDIES QUINEBAUG RIVER MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT 1999 - 2001 APPENDIX G - TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG RIVERS – PERIPHYTON SURVEY RESULTS 1999

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report i 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Table 1. Summary of Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards...... 3 Table 2. 1998 303(d) list of impaired waters in the French River Watershed ...... 16 Table 3. 1998 303(d) list of impaired waters in the Quinebaug River Watershed...... 17 Table 4. Summary of Data Collection by USGS NAWQA Program in the French/Quinebaug River Basins...... 22 Table 5. French River Watershed lake trophic status evaluation ...... 59 Table 6. French River Watershed lake assessments...... 65 Table 7. Quinebaug River Watershed lake trophic status evaluation ...... 113 Table 8. Species-level taxa list and counts for fish collected by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement (MA DWFELE), Division of Fisheries and Wildlife between July and September 1999 in lakes and ponds in the Quinebaug River Watershed ...... 115 Table 9. Quinebaug River Watershed lake assessments...... 120

Figure 1. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aquatic Life Use Assessment Summary – Rivers...... xiii Figure 2. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aquatic Life Use Assessment Summary – Lakes...... xv Figure 3. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Fish Consumption Use Assessment Summary–Lakes and Rivers ...... xvii Figure 4. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational uses Assessment Summary - Rivers...... xix Figure 5. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aesthetics Use Assessment Summary – Rivers...... xxi Figure 6. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational uses Assessment Summary - Lakes...... xxiii Figure 7. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aesthetics Use Assessment Summary – Lakes...... xxv Figure 8. Five -year cycle of the Watershed Approach ...... 1 Figure 9. Location of French and Quinebaug River Watersheds ...... 12 Figure 10. French River Watershed – river segment locations identified by WBID ...... 27 Figure 11. French River Watershed – lake segments locations identified by WBID...... 58 Figure 12. French River Watershed – presence of non-native aquatic vegetation and potential for downstream spreading ...... 61 Figure 13. Quinebaug River Watershed – river segment locations identified by WBID ...... 73 Figure 14. Quinebaug River Watershed – lake segments locations identified by WBID ...... 112 Figure 15. Quinebaug River Watershed – presence of non-native aquatic vegetation and potential for downstream spreading WBID...... 116

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report ii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACOE Army Corps of Engineers BPJ Best professional judgement CMR Code of Massachusetts Regulations CNOEC Chronic no observed effect concentration CT DEP Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection CWA Clean Water Act DMF Division of Marine Fisheries DFWELE Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement DMR Discharge Monitoring Report DO dissolved oxygen DWM Division of Watershed Management EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency EPT Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FPOM fine particulate organic matter LC50 lethal concentration to 50% of the test organisms L-EL Low effect level MA DEM Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management MA DEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection MassGIS Massachusetts Geographic Information System MDPH Massachusetts Department of Public Health NAS/NAE National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineers NAWQA National Water-Quality Assessment NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPS Nonpoint source pollution ORW Outstanding Resource Water PALIS Pond and Lake Information System PCB polychlorinated biphenyls PWS public water supply QA/QC quality assurance/ quality control RBP rapid bioassessment protocol SARIS Stream and River Inventory System S-EL Severe effect level SWPPP Stormwater pollution prevention plan SWQS Surface Water Quality Standards TMDL total maximum daily load TOC total organic carbon TOXTD MA DEP DWM Toxicity Testing Database TRC total residual chlorine USGS United States Geological Survey WBID Waterbody Identification Code WBS Waterbody System Database WMA Water Management Act WWTF wastewater treatment facility WWTP wastewater treatment plant

LIST OF UNITS cfs cubic feet per second cfu colony forming unit MGD million gallons per day mg/kg microgram per kilogram mg/L milligram per liter ng nanogram NTU nephelometric turbidity units PPB parts per billion PPM parts per million SU standard units

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report iii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS 2001 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

The Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) designate the most sensitive uses for which surface waters in the Commonwealth shall be protected. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) is responsible for the assessment of current water quality conditions, which is a key step in the successful implementation of the Massachusetts Watershed Initiative. This critical phase provides an assessment of whether or not the designated uses are being met (support, partial support, non-support) or are not assessed, as well as basic information needed to focus resource protection and remediation activities later in the watershed management planning process.

This assessment report presents a summary of current water quality data/information in the Massachusetts portion of the French & Quinebaug River Watersheds used to assess the status of the designated uses as defined in the SWQS. These watersheds (i.e., the nine Massachusetts communities) were designated as part of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor in December 1999. The designated uses, where applicable, include: Aquatic Life, Fish Consumption, Drinking Water, Primary and Secondary Contact Recreation and Aesthetics. Each use, within a given segment, is individually assessed as 1) support, 2) partial support, or 3) non-support. When too little current or reliable data/information are available the use is not assessed. However, if the limited information indicates some evidence of water quality impairment, which is not “naturally occurring”, the use is identified with an “Alert Status”. It is important to note that not all waters are assessed. Many small and/or unnamed rivers and ponds are currently unassessed; the status of their designated uses has never been reported to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Commonwealth’s Summary of Water Quality report (or 305(b) Report) nor is information on these waters maintained in the Waterbody System (WBS) database.

French River Watershed: There are a total of eight rivers, streams, brooks or creeks (the term “rivers” will hereafter be used to include all) assessed in this report in the French River Watershed. These include: the French and Little rivers; Town Meadow, Burncoat, Bartons, Wellington and Mill brooks; and an unnamed tributary of Wellington Brook. These assessments represent 46% of the 15 named streams and approximately 93% (32.3 miles) of the estimated total of 34.6 “named” river miles in the basin. The one unnamed tributary to Wellington Brook adds another 1.5 miles to the total river length assessed in this report. The remaining rivers are small and/or unnamed and currently unassessed. This report also includes information on 46 of the 68 lakes, ponds or impoundments (the term "lakes" will hereafter be used to include all) in the French River Watershed. The 46 lakes assessed in this report represent 3,393 acres of the 3,556 total lake acreage (or 95% of the lake acreage) in the French River Watershed.

Quinebaug River Watershed: There are a total of four rivers in the Quinebaug River Watershed assessed in this report: the mainstem Quinebaug River and Wales, Mill and Cady brooks. These four rivers represent approximately 14% of the 29 named streams and 46% (37.9 river miles) of the estimated total of 82.7 “named” river miles in the basin. The remaining rivers are small and/or unnamed and currently unassessed. Information on 27 of the basin’s 54 lakes is presented in this report. These 27 lakes represent 1,955.9 acres of the 2,358 total lake surface acreage (or 83% of the lake acreage) in the Quinebaug River Watershed.

The status of the designated uses for these waterbodies is summarized in a segment format, which includes 12 river segments and 46 lake segments in the French River Watershed and 9 river segments and 27 lake segments in the Quinebaug River Watershed.

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report iv 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 AQUATIC LIFE USE The Aquatic Life Use is supported when suitable FRENCH RIVER WATERSHED: Aquatic Life Use assessment for rivers habitat (including water quality) is available for (total length assessed in report - 33.8 miles) sustaining a native, naturally diverse, community of · Support - 7.9 miles (23%) aquatic flora and fauna. Impairment of the Aquatic · Partial Support - 3.0 miles (9%) Life Use (partial or non-support) may result from · Not Assessed - 22.9 miles (68%) anthropogenic stressors that include point and/or nonpoint source(s) of pollution and hydrologic modification.

French River Watershed – Aquatic Life Use Summary: Approximately 7.9 miles (23%) of the 33.8 river miles in the French River Watershed included in this report are assessed as supporting the Aquatic Life Use (Figure 1). These include Town Meadow and Mill brooks and the upper 4.7-mile reach of the French River. The Aquatic Life Use is assessed as impaired (partial support) for the lower three miles of the French River. This impairment is a result of organic enrichment and habitat quality degradation (sedimentation), although flow alteration is also suspected as a cause of impairment. Sources include hydromodification (upstream impoundments), urban runoff and municipal wastewater discharges, although runoff from sand and gravel operations and flow regulation (hydropower operations) are also suspected. The majority (68%) of the river miles in the basin included in this report are currently not assessed for this use.

Few lakes in the French River Watershed have recently been surveyed for variables used to assess the status of the Aquatic Life Use (i.e., dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients, macrophytes and plankton/chlorophyll FRENCH RIVER WATERSHED: a). None of the lakes in the French River Watershed Aquatic Life Use assessment for lakes are assessed as support for the Aquatic Life Use. The (total acreage assessed in report 3,393 acres) majority (63%) of the lake acreage assessed for the · Partial Support - 2,105 acres (62%) · Non-Support – 33 acres (1%) Aquatic Life Use (Figure 2) is impaired (partial or non- · Not Assessed – 1,255 acres (37%) support). The Aquatic Life Use is assessed as partial support for 11 lakes, representing 62% of the lake acreage, because they are infested with non-native aquatic vegetation; Myriophyllum heterophyllum (variable milfoil) and/or Cabomba caroliniana (fanwort). These two non-native aquatic plant species are particularly invasive and reproduce vegetatively. Therefore, they may spread readily downstream on currents or by mechanical transport. Variable milfoil is also present in one additional lake, where the Aquatic Life Use is assessed as non-support because of the severity of plant growth (native and non-native). The Aquatic Life Use is assessed as non-support in two other ponds because of noxious plants, organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and/or algal blooms. A portion of Rochdale Pond (10 acres) is assessed as partial support because of organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen. Thirty-one lakes and the remaining 31 acres of Rochdale Pond, representing 37% of the lake acreage in the French River Watershed, are currently not assessed for the Aquatic Life Use.

Quinebaug River Watershed – Aquatic Life Use Summary: The majority (approximately 77%) of the 37.9 river miles in the Quinebaug River Watershed included in this report is assessed as supporting the Aquatic Life Use (Figure 1). This includes the majority of QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHED: the Quinebaug River, Wales Brook, and a long Aquatic Life Use assessment for rivers reach of Cady Brook. Despite the generally good (total length assessed in report – 37.9 miles) condition of these rivers, hydromodification, · Support – 29.3 miles (77%) primarily the result of operations of the two Federal · Partial Support – 4.5 miles (12%) Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-exempt · Not Assessed – 4.1 miles (11%) licensed facilities, as well as the operations of the impoundments (lake outlet control practices) and water withdrawals, has been identified as an issue of concern. Fluctuations in streamflow and/or reduced base-flow conditions from hydromodification may result in the loss or degradation of aquatic habitat and communities. These issues are currently being studied as part of the Millennium Power Project from which preservation and/or stream restoration measures will be developed.

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report v 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 The upper 1.3-mile reach of Cady Brook and a 3.2-mile reach of the Quinebaug River are assessed as partial support for the Aquatic Life Use. Flow-related habitat constraints limit the biological potential in the upper reach of Cady Brook primarily as a result of operations of the dam at Glen Echo Lake. Organic enrichment and nutrient loadings from the Charlton WWTP, compounded by the low-base flow conditions in Cady Brook, impairs the Aquatic Life Use for an additional 0.3-miles. Between the confluence with Cady Brook and the West Dudley Impoundment, the Quinebaug River is assessed as partial support for the Aquatic Life Use due to organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen and habitat alteration in the form of organic deposition. These conditions are likely the result of highly productive upstream impoundments (hydromodification) as well as various point (municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges) and nonpoint (urban runoff) sources of nutrient loadings. Additionally, elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment and PCB in whole fish are of concern and warrant further investigation in the lower mainstem Quinebaug River (downstream from the Lensdale Pond Dam at the American Optical Company in Southbridge). Here, the PCB concentration in whole fish exceeded the National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineers (NAS/NAE) guideline for the protection of fish-eating wildlife. Source(s) of total PCB are unknown at this time and warrant further investigation. Only one tributary, Mill Brook, is not assessed for the Aquatic Life Use.

As a result of the limited current data available, a portion of only one lake (Sibley Pond) in the Quinebaug River Watershed is assessed as support for the Aquatic Life Use. Slightly over half (57%) of the lake acreage assessed for this use is impaired (partial and non-support). The Aquatic Life Use is assessed as partial support for nine lakes (a total of QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHED: 1,062 acres) because they are infested with non-native Aquatic Life Use assessment for lakes aquatic vegetation, noxious plant growth and/or organic (total acreage 1,955.9 acres) enrichment/low dissolved oxygen (Figure 2). Eight of · Support – 11 acres (1%) these lakes (a total of 1,043 acres) are infested with the · Partial Support – 1,062 acres (54%) non-native plant M. heterophyllum. The Aquatic Life Use · Non-Support – 55 acres (3%) is assessed as non-support in all or part of two ponds (55 · Not Assessed – 827.9 acres (42%) acres) because of noxious plants and organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen. Sixteen lakes representing 42% of the lake acreage in the Quinebaug River Watershed are currently not assessed for the Aquatic Life Use (Figure 2).

FISH CONSUMPTION USE The Fish Consumption Use is supported when there are no pollutants present that result in unacceptable concentrations in edible portions (as opposed to whole fish - see Aquatic Life Use) of marketable fish or for the recreational use of fish, other aquatic life or wildlife for human consumption. The assessment of the Fish Consumption Use is made using the most recent list of Fish Consumption Advisories issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health (MDPH), Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment (MDPH 2001a). The MDPH list identifies waterbodies where elevated levels of a specified contaminant in edible portions of freshwater species poses a health risk for human consumption; hence the Fish Consumption Use is assessed as non- support in these waters. In July 2001, MDPH issued new (updated from 1994) consumer advisories on fish consumption and mercury contamination (MDPH 2001b). Because of these statewide advisories, no waters can be assessed as either support or partial support for the Fish Consumption Use; these waters default to “not assessed”. The statewide advisories read as follows:

The MDPH “is advising pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under 12 years of age to refrain from eating the following marine fish; shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tuna steak and tilefish. In addition, MDPH is expanding its previously issued statewide fish consumption advisory which cautioned pregnant women to avoid eating fish from all freshwater bodies due to concerns about mercury contamination, to now include women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under 12 years of age (MDPH 2001b).” Additionally, MDPH “is recommending that pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under 12 years of age limit their consumption of fish not covered by existing advisories to no more than 12 ounces (or about 2 meals) of cooked or uncooked fish per week. This recommendation includes canned tuna, the consumption of which should be limited to 2 cans per week. Very small children, including toddlers, should eat less. Consumers may wish to choose to eat light tuna rather than white or chunk white tuna, the latter of which may have higher levels of mercury (MDPH 2001b).” MDPH’s statewide advisory does not include fish stocked by the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or farm-raised fish sold commercially.

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report vi 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 French & Quinebaug River Watersheds – Fish Consumption Use Summary: Because of elevated levels of mercury in edible portions of fish, MDPH has issued fish consumption advisories for four lakes in the French and FRENCH RIVER WATERSHED: Quinebaug River Watersheds because of Fish Consumption Use assessment for rivers health concerns related to mercury. In the (total length assessed in report –33.8 miles) French River watershed, these waterbodies · Non-Support – 2.0 miles (6%) include: Buffumville Lake and Texas Pond (a · Not Assessed – 31.8 miles (94%) total of 213 acres and 2.0 river miles). In the Quinebaug River watershed, these include: Fish Consumption Use assessment for lakes Holland Pond and the East Brimfield (total area assessed in report 3,393 acres) Reservoir (a total of 485 acres) (MDPH · Non-Support – 213 acres (6%) 2001a). The Fish Consumption Use is, · Not Assessed – 3,180 acres (94%) therefore, assessed as non-support for these lakes (a total of 698 lake acres). MDPH also issued a fish consumption advisory due to mercury contamination for the Quinebaug River in Holland and Brimfield including both Holland QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHED: Pond and the East Brimfield Reservoir (MA Fish Consumption Use assessment for rivers DPH 2001a). The Fish Consumption Use is, (total length assessed in report – 37.9 miles) therefore, assessed as non-support for a total · Non-Support – 7.1 miles (19%) of 7.1 miles (from the outlet of Hamilton · Not Assessed – 30.8 miles (81%) Reservoir, Holland to the outlet of the East Brimfield Reservoir, Sturbridge) (Figure 3). Fish Consumption Use assessment for lakes (total area assessed in report 1,955.9 acres) Because of the statewide advisory (see · Non-Support – 485 acres (25%) previous page), the majority of the rivers and · Not Assessed – 1,470.9 acres (75%) lakes in the French and Quinebaug River basins default to not assessed for the Fish Consumption Use. Sources of mercury in this area are currently unknown, although atmospheric deposition is suspected.

DRINKING WATER USE The term Drinking Water Use has been used to indicate sources of public drinking water. While this use is not assessed in this report, the state provides general guidance on drinking water source protection of both surface water and groundwater sources (available at http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws/dwshome.htm ). These waters are subject to stringent regulation in accordance with the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations. MA DEP’s Drinking Water Program (DWP) has primacy for implementing the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. DWP has also initiated work on its Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP), which requires that the Commonwealth delineate protection areas for all public ground and surface water sources, inventory land uses in these areas that may present potential threats to drinking water quality, determine the susceptibility of water supplies to contamination from these sources, and publicize the results.

Public water suppliers monitor their finished water (tap water) for major categories of both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants such as: microbiological, inorganic, organic, pesticides, herbicides and radioactive contaminants.

Specific information on community drinking water sources including SWAP activities and drinking water quality information are updated and distributed annually by the public water system to its customers in a “Consumer Confidence Report”. These reports are available from the public water system, the local boards of health, MDPH and MA DEP.

PRIMARY & SECONDARY CONTACT RE CREATIONAL AND AESTHETIC USES The Primary Contact Recreational Use is supported when conditions are suitable (fecal coliform bacteria densities, pH, temperature, turbidity and aesthetics meet the Surface Water Quality Standards) for any recreational or other water related activity during which there is prolonged and intimate contact with the water and there exists a significant risk of ingestion. Activities include, but are not limited to, wading, swimming, diving, surfing and water skiing. The Secondary Contact Recreational Use is supported when conditions are suitable for any recreational or other water use during which contact with the water

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report vii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 is either incidental or accidental. These include, but are not limited to, fishing, boating and limited contact incident to shoreline activities. For lakes, macrophyte cover and/or transparency (Secchi disk depth) data are assessed to evaluate the status of the recreational uses. The Aesthetics Use is supported when surface waters are free from pollutants in concentrations or combinations that settle to form objectionable deposits; float as debris, scum or other matter to form nuisances; produce objectionable odor, color, taste or turbidity; or produce undesirable or nuisance species of aquatic life.

French River Watershed – Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic Use Summary: Few rivers and lakes in the French River Watershed have recently been surveyed for variables used to assess the status of the recreational and aesthetic uses (i.e., bacteria data, FRENCH RIVER WATERSHED: macrophyte cover, transparency). Only the Recreational and Aesthetic Uses assessment for rivers Little River (6.8 miles) is assessed as (total length assessed in report –33.8 miles) Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational Uses support for the recreational uses (Figure · Support – 6.8 miles (20%) 4), while Town Meadow Brook, the upper · Not Assessed – 27.0 miles (80%) 4.7-mile reach of the French River, and the Aesthetics Use upper 5.0-mile reach of the Little River · Support – 12.1 miles (36%) support the Aesthetics Use. The · Partial Support – 12.7 miles (38%) Aesthetics Use is assessed as impaired · Not Assessed – 9.0 miles (27%) (partial support) for the lower 12.7-miles of the French River as a result of objectionable deposits, odor, and/or turbidity resulting from urban runoff, illegal dumping and municipal point source discharges (Figure 5). A total of nine miles, including the lower 1.8-mile reach of the Little River, are currently not assessed for the Aesthetics Use.

Of the lake acreage in the French River Watershed, the Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic uses for Buffumville Lake (the ACOE flood control project on the Little River) are all assessed as support (Figures 6 and 7). In addition to Buffumville Lake (186 acres), the Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic Uses are assessed as support in the open-water areas (205 acres) of four lakes including Gore, Pierpoint Meadow, Rochdale and Larner ponds in the French River Watershed (a total of 391 acres). Only 5% of the lake acreage in the basin is assessed as support for the Primary Contact Recreational Use and 12% supports the Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic Uses.

FRENCH RIVER WATERSHED: Recreational and Aesthetic Use Summary for lakes (total lake area assessed - 3,393 acres) PRIMARY SECONDARY AESTHETICS · Support – 186 acres (5%) · Support – 391 acres (12%) · Support – 391 acres (12%) · Partial Support – 1 acre (<1%) · Partial Support – 1 acre (<1%) · Partial Support – 1 acre (<1%) · Non-Support – 325 acres (10%) · Non-Support – 325 acres (10%) · Non-Support – 325 acres (10%) · Not Assessed – 2,881 acres (85%) · Not Assessed – 2,676 acres (79%) · Not Assessed – 2,676 acres (79%)

Approximately 10% of the lake acreage in the French River Watershed is assessed as impaired (partial and non-support) for the Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic Uses. Causes of impairment include: noxious and/or non-native plants, nutrients and algal blooms; all presumably the result of organic enrichment. Although sources are currently unknown, nutrient enrichment from storm water runoff; failing, substandard, or inappropriately sited sewage disposal systems; and/or drainage from agricultural lands is likely to contribute to increased macrophyte productivity, resulting in impairments to this use. The majority (79%) of the lake acreage in the French River Watershed is not assessed for the Recreational and Aesthetics Uses (Figures 6 and 7).

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report viii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 Quinebaug River Watershed –Recreational and Aesthetic Use Summary: Few rivers in the Quinebaug River Watershed have recently been surveyed for variables used to assess the status of the Recreational uses (e.g., bacteria data). As a result, the majority (91%) of the rivers are not assessed for these uses (Figure 4). Only the 1.2-mile reach of the Quinebaug River flowing through the East Brimfield Reservoir is assessed as support for the Primary Contact Recreational Use. Because of elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels, the lower 2.3-mile reach of the Quinebaug River is assessed as partial support for the Primary Contact Recreational Use. Both of these reaches, however, are assessed as support for the Secondary Contact Recreational Use.

QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHED: Recreational and Aesthetic Use assessment for rivers (total length assessed in report –37.9 miles) PRIMARY SECONDARY AESTHETICS · Support – 1.2 miles (3%) · Support – 3.5 miles (9%) · Support – 30.6 miles (81%) · Partial Support – 2.3 miles (6%) · Not Assessed – 34.4 miles (91%) · Partial Support – 4.5 miles (12%) · Not Assessed – 34.4 miles (91%) · Non-Support – 2.8 miles (7%)

The majority (81%) of the river miles in the Quinebaug River Watershed included in this report is assessed as support for the Aesthetics Use (Figure 5). This includes the Quinebaug River (the upper 13.5 miles and the lower 2.3 miles), most of Cady Brook, and both Mill and Wales brooks. The Aesthetics Use is impaired (partial and non-support) for 7.0 miles of the Quinebaug River and a 0.3-mile reach of Cady Brook (Figure 5). The aesthetics of the mainstem Quinebaug River is partially supported for a 2.2-mile reach downstream from the Sturbridge WWTP discharge as a result of the high percentage of instream filamentous/matted algae and slight turbidity. As the river enters the urban area of Southbridge (downstream from Westville Dam) the Aesthetics Use is degraded (non-support) for 2.8 miles due to an abundance of objectionable deposits (trash and debris) and turbidity. Downstream from the Southbridge WWTP discharge to the West Dudley Impoundment (a 2.0-mile reach) the Aesthetics Use is assessed as partial support. Causes of impairment include some objectionable deposits of trash and debris and the effluent odor from the Southbridge WWTP. The Aesthetics Use is also assessed as partial support for a 0.3-mile reach of Cady Brook downstream from the Charlton WWTP because of effluent odor and the presence of filamentous algae.

Very few lakes in the Quinebaug River Watershed have recently been surveyed for variables used to assess the status of the recreational uses (i.e., bacteria data, macrophyte cover, transparency). East Brimfield Reservoir and Walker Pond are the only two lakes (a total 523 acres) assessed as support for the Primary Contact Recreational Use (Figure 6). In addition to these two lakes, the open-water areas of Mill Road and Sherman ponds (an additional 71 acres) are assessed as support for the Secondary Contact Recreational and Aesthetic uses for a total of 594 acres (Figures 6 and 7). Because of the lack of current data, however, the majority of the lakes in the watershed are not assessed for the Recreational and Aesthetics uses. Turbidity, noxious and/or non-native plants impair (partial or non- support) these uses in approximately 8% of the lake acreage in the Quinebaug River Watershed, presumably the result of organic enrichment. Although sources are currently unknown, nutrient enrichment from storm water runoff; failing, substandard, or inappropriately sited sewage disposal systems; and/or drainage from agricultural lands are likely to have increased macrophyte productivity, which result in the impairment.

QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHED: Recreational and Aesthetic Use Summary for lakes (total lake area assessed -1,955.9 acres) PRIMARY SECONDARY AESTHETICS · Support – 523 acres (27%) · Support – 594 acres (30%) · Support – 594 acres (30%) · Partial Support – 16 acre (<1%) · Partial Support – 16 acre (<1%) · Partial Support – 16 acre (<1%) · Non-Support – 145 acres (7%) · Non-Support – 145 acres (7%) · Non-Support – 145 acres (7%) · Not Assessed – 1,271.9 acres (65%) · Not Assessed – 1,200.9 acres (61%) · Not Assessed – 1,200.9 acres (61%)

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report ix 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 RECOMMENDATIONS In addition to specific issues for the individual segments, the evaluation of current water quality conditions in the French & Quinebaug River Watersheds has revealed the need for the following:

· The effects of hydromodification resulting from the operations of the three FERC exempt-licensed facilities (North Village Pond Project #5824, Old Sturbridge Project #6077 and West Dudley Project #7254) on the French and Quinebaug rivers warrant further investigation. Determine if these facilities release their minimum flow requirements and evaluate and monitor their operations for compliance with their run-of-river requirements. These facilities should be operated to minimize fluctuations in streamflow. · Stream gaging data for the following USGS gages should be analyzed and published in the annual USGS Water Resources Data reports: the Quinebaug River at the East Brimfield Dam (USGS gage #01123360 at Fiskdale, MA) and the Westville Dam (USGS gage # 01123600 at Southbridge, MA), and the French River at Webster (USGS gage #01125000). Continuous daily measurements from these gages are available however the data have not been validated nor published. · Habitat quality evaluations should be conducted along streams/rivers to assess streamflow conditions as related to water withdrawals and/or flow management practices (e.g., outlet control operations). Collect additional data, where necessary, to determine the frequency, duration, and spatial extent of the low-flow conditions. · Habitat quality evaluations should be conducted along streams/rivers to document areas of erosion and sedimentation. Develop and implement best management practices (BMPs) to control storm water runoff. · Review and consider implementing forthcoming recommendations from the Millennium Power Project Mitigation Work Group. · Work with the French & Quinebaug River Watershed Team to conduct stream cleanups, and encourage/strengthen local stewardship. · Work with DFWELE to incorporate/designate Cold Water Fishery resources in the French & Quinebaug River Watersheds into the next revision of the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards. · Continue to conduct biological and water quality monitoring to evaluate the effect(s), if any, of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharges, water withdrawals, power plant operations, and nonpoint sources of pollution and to document any changes in water quality conditions as a result of infrastructure improvements/pollution abatement controls. · Develop and reissue NPDES permits for surface water discharges in the French & Quinebaug River Watersheds. If dischargers in these watersheds have problems meeting their whole effluent toxicity limits, the need for a toxicity identification evaluation/toxicity reduction evaluation (TIE/TRE) may be warranted. Additionally, the Phosphorus Loading and Evaluation and Reduction Programs for the municipal wastewater treatment facilities should be carefully reviewed and the effectiveness of these programs should be evaluated. · Continue to monitor survival of Pimephalas promelas (fathead minnows) exposed to the Quinebaug River as part of the NPDES permittees whole effluent toxicity testing requirements. If survival of the organisms exposed to the river water is frequently below 75% at the end of the acute and/or chronic tests an instream toxicity evaluation should be conducted. · Conduct additional monitoring (e.g., passive water column PCB samplers, whole fish tissue), to determine the extent and, if necessary, source(s) of PCB contamination along the lower mainstem Quinebaug River. Determine locations of current and historical sources of PCB in the Quinebaug River and its tributaries. · As part of the Water Management Act (WMA) 5-year review process, MA DEP should continue to evaluate compliance with registration and/or permit limits for withdrawals in the French & Quinebaug River watersheds. Work with water suppliers to optimize and implement water conservation measures to maintain and/or reduce water withdrawals as well as encourage the development and implementation of local watershed and wellhead protection plans. · Water suppliers and the French & Quinebaug River basin communities should develop and implement reservoir outlet operations to protect and/or restore downstream flows. · Coordinate with the MA Department of Environmental Management (MA DEM) and/or other groups conducting lake and watershed surveys to generate quality assured lakes data. As part of any lake

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report x 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 water quality evaluation, include identification of non-native species and mapping of macrophyte cover in order to evaluate the status of the Aquatic Life, Recreational and Aesthetic uses. · Review data from the “Beaches Bill” required water quality testing (bacteria sampling at all formal bathing beaches) to assess the status of the recreational uses. · Review recommendations for long-term restoration/preservation from lake diagnostic/feasibility studies and watershed management plans and effect their implementation. Implement recommendations from the nutrient total maximum daily load (TMDL) analysis currently being prepared by MA DEP. · Monitor and control the spread and growth of exotic aquatic and wetland vegetation. Determine the effectiveness of the herbicide treatment on the non-native, aquatic plant infestations. Prevent the further spread of these plants to unaffected areas (within this pond as well as to other ponds) by alerting pond-users to the problem and responsibility of spreading these exotic species. This should include posting of boat access points with educational warning signs.

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LEGEND

Support Cady Brook (MA41-05) Impaired PARTIAL SUPPORT (Partial Support, Non-support) Causes: Flow alteration

Sources: Hydromodification k

Not Assessed o WEST r

LEICESTER B BROOKFIELD

Other Surface Waters w

d Town Outlines a Burncoat Brook e

Segment Break Cady Brook (MA41-06) n

SUPPORT: lower 4.8 miles w PARTIAL SUPPORT: upper 0.3 miles o French River Basin T Causes: Nutrients organic enrichment/low DO, flow alteration Bartons Brook Sources: Municipal point source, hydro-modification SPENCER Quinebaug River Basin

y AUBURN EAST r MILLBURY

BROOKFIELD t

WARREN 3 t

BROOKFIELD 0

2 d 4

A M m

a 0 -

n 1 k 4 n oo A u Br M ton ing k ll o e CHARLTON

BRIMFIELD r o W r 6

e 0 - B L v M 1 i y 4 i il A t R l B STURBRIDGE d t SUTTON a M l ro e o k Q C R 4

u 0

i iv r - n e e 2

b h OXFORD k a

A MA41 u c o -01 g

M o R n r iv e B e r r MA F s 41 e -0 l 2 DOUGLAS a M A 4 W 1- MONSON 09 M WEBSTER ill M B A r French River (MA42-05) 4 oo 1 k PARTIAL SUPPORT -0 3 5 Causes: Organic enrichment/low DO, habitat alteration (sedimentation) 0 WALES - (suspected: flow alteration) SOUTHBRIDGE 2 HOLLAND 4 Sources: Hydromodification (upstream impoundments), urban runoff A

M (suspected: resource extraction, hydromodification (flow regulation)) M A Quinebaug River (MA41-09) 4 DUDLEY 1 PARTIAL SUPPORT -0

4 6

Causes: Organic enrichment/low DO, habitat alteration (organic deposition) -

2 (suspected: priority organics (PCB), metals) 4

Sources: Hydromodification (upstream impoundment), urban runoff A

(suspected: industrial point source) M

French River (MA42-06) PARTIAL SUPPORT Causes: Organic enrichment/low DO, habitat alteration (sedimentation) Sources: Hydromodification (upstream impoundments), Quinebaug River (MA41-03) urban runoff, municipal point source PARTIAL SUPPORT (suspected: resource extraction) Causes: Organic enrichment/low DO, habitat alteration (organic deposition) N (suspected: priority organics (PCB), metals) Sources: Hydromodification (upstream impoundment), urban runoff (suspected: industrial point source) 2 0 2 4 6 Miles

Figure 1. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aquatic Life Use Assessment Summary – Rivers.

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French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xiv 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS Aquatic Life Use Assessment Summary – Lakes

Details of Aquatic Life Use Impairment for lakes in the Quinebaug River Watershed Details of Aquatic Life Use Impairment for lakes in the French River Watershed WBID Lake Name Use Assessment Causes (Sources: unknown) WBID Lake Name Use Assessment Causes (Sources: unknown) MA41008 Cedar Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA42003 Bouchard Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA41014 East Brimfield Reservoir PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA42004 Buffum Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA41019 Hamilton Reservoir PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA42005 Buffumville Lake PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA41032 Mill Road Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA42009 Cedar Meadow Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA41033 Morse Pond NON-SUPPORT Organic enrichment/ low dissolved oxygen, noxious plants MA42015 Dutton Pond NON-SUPPORT Nutrients, noxious plants, algae MA41058 Railroad Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42018 Gore Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen, MA41046 Sherman Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants noxious plants, non-native plants MA41047* Sibley Pond (North Basin) SUPPORT: 11 acres MA42019 Granite Reservoir PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants NON-SUPPORT: 10 acres Organic enrichment/ low dissolved oxygen, noxious plants MA42068 Larner Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA41048 Sibley Pond (South Basin) PARTIAL SUPPORT Organic enrichment/ low dissolved oxygen, noxious plants MA42049 MA42033 Low Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA41049 Sylvestri Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42007 MA42040 Packard Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA41052 Walker Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA42043 Pierpont Meadow Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants LEICESTER MA42048* Rochdale Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT: 10 acres Organic enrichment/ low dissolved oxygen * assessment does not apply to the entire lake acerage (i.e., support 11 acres; non-support 10 acres) MA42015 NOT ASSESSED: 31 acres MA42049 Sargent Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants MA42009 MA42025 MA42062 Wallis Pond NON-SUPPORT Organic enrichment/ low dissolved oxygen, SPENCER noxious plants WEST MA42063 MA42069 MA42064 Webster Lake PARTIAL SUPPORT Non-native plants BROOK- MA42003 * assessment does not apply to the entire lake acerage (i.e., not assessed 31 acres; partial support 10 acres) FIELD MA42022 MA42055 MA42023 MA42048* BROOKFIELD EAST MA42030 BROOKFIELD MA41058 MA42065 WARREN MA42058 AUBURN MA42032 MA41017 MA42054 LEGEND MA42044 MILLBURY Support MA42059 MA41001 MA41035 MA41047* MA42072 OXFORD MA42029 Impaired MA41046 SUTTON (Partial Support, Non-support) MA41029 MA41052 MA41048 MA42008 CHARLTON MA42046 MA42035 Not Assessed BRIMFIELD MA41008 MA42053 MA41043 MA42005 Other Surface Waters MA41014 MA42034 MA41032 MA41057 MA41031 MA42004 Town Outlines MA42019 MA42047 Basin Outlines STURBRIDGE MA42014 MA42039 MA41022 MA42043 French River Basin WALES MA42018 MA42051 MONSON SOUTHBRIDGE MA42024 DOUGLAS Quinebaug River Basin MA41059 HOLLAND MA42060 WEBSTER MA42037 MA42062 MA41027 MA41049 MA42068 MA42042 MA42064 MA41038 MA41053 MA41016 MA42017 MA42033 MA41019 MA41039 MA42036 DUDLEY MA41040 MA41033 MA41056 MA42040

N 2 0 2 4 6 Miles

Figure 2. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aquatic Life Use Assessment Summary – Lakes.

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French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xvi 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS

Fish Consumption Use Assessment Summary – Lakes and Rivers

NOTE: MDPH Statewide Advisory In July 2001, MDPH issued new consumer advisories for fish Texas Pond (MA42058) consumption because of mercury contamination. The MDPH “…is NON SUPPORT advising pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may French River (MA42-03) become pregnant, nursing mothers and children under 12 years of k o NOT ASSESSED: upper 3.2 miles age to refrain from eating the following marine fish; shark, swordfish, WEST Buffumville Lake (MA42005) o NON SUPPORT: 0.4 miles through Texas Pond king mackerel, tuna steak and tilefish. In addition, MDPH is NON SUPPORT r BROOKFIELD LEICESTER B NOT ASSESSED: lower 1.1 miles expanding its previously issued statewide fish consumption advisory Little River (MA42-09) w which cautioned pregnant women to avoid eating fish from all o NOT ASSESSED: upper 3.4 miles d freshwater bodies due to concerns about mercury contamination, to NON SUPPORT: 1.6 miles through Buffumville Lake a Burncoat e now include women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, NOT ASSESSED: lower 1.8 miles Brook M nursing mothers and children under 12 years of age (MDPH 2001b).” n

Additionally, MDPH “…is recommending that pregnant women, SPENCER o women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing WARREN Bartons Brook T mothers and children under 12 years of age limit their consumption of fish not covered by existing advisories to no more than 12 ounces (or

about 2 meals) of cooked or uncooked fish per week. This EAST y AUBURN MILLBURY r

recommendation includes canned tuna, the consumption of which BROOKFIELD t should be limited to 2 cans per week. Very small children, including u b

r East Brimfield Reservoir (MA41014) 3

toddlers, should eat less (MDPH 2001b).” t BROOKFIELD 0

NON SUPPORT -

2 d 4

Because of the statewide advisory no waters can be assessed as e A M support or partial support for the Fish Consumption Use. m 5

a 0 -

n 1 k 4 n o

u o A Br M on gt llin SUTTON k e o CHARLTON W o r MDPH issued site-specific advisories for 4 lakes BRIMFIELD r 6 0 e - LEGEND B L v and one river segment in the French & M 1 i il y 4 it l d A t R Quinebaug River Watersheds due to elevated STURBRIDGE B M l Support r a e o levels of mercury in edible fillets of fish. o

4 k Q C R

u 0

- in iv er Impaired

e 2

b 4 (Pa rtial Supp ort, Non-supp ort) h OXFORD k a

French River Watershed A

u c o MA41 g -01 M n Buffumville Lake o R Not Assesse d r iv e

e r MA42005 B r

MA F Texas Pond s 41 Other Surf ace W aters e -0 l 2 DOUGLAS MA42058 a M Town Outlines A4 W 1- MONSON 09 Quinebaug River Watershed M WEBSTER Segmen t Bre ak M i East Brimfield Reservoir A ll 4 B MA41014 1 ro French River Basin - 0 ok Holland Pond 3 5 SOUTHBRIDGE 0 Qui ne baug River Ba sin MA41022 HOLLAND - 2 WALES 4 M A Quinebaug River – segment MA41-01 A M 4 DUDLEY 1

- from outlet Hamilton Reservoir, -0

4 6

Holland to outlet of East Brimfield - 2

Reservoir, Sturbridge (includes 4 A

Holland Pond) M Holland Pond (MA41022) The cause for all Fish Consumption Use non- NON SUPPORT support assessments is mercury contamination. Quinebaug River (MA41-01) Sources of contamination are unknown although NON SUPPORT: upper 7.1 miles (from outlet Hamilton Reservoir, Holland to atmospheric deposition is suspected. outlet of East Brimfield Reservoir, Sturbridge) NOT ASSESSED: lower 3.9 miles

N 2 0 2 4 6 Miles

Figure 3. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Fish Consumption Use Assessment Summary – Lakes and Rivers. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xvii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 Intentionally left blank

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xviii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational Uses Assessment Summary Rivers

LEGEND

Support

Impaired (Partial Support, Non-support) k o

o WEST r Not Assessed LEICESTER B BROOKFIELD

Other Surface Waters o d

Burncoat B e Town Outlines rook M

Segment Break w

T French River Basin Bartons Brook SPENCER

Quinebaug River Basin EAST r MILLBURY

a BROOKFIELD t

AUi BURN

WARREN 3 t

BROOKFIELD 0

2 d 4

A M m

a 0 -

n 1 k 4 n oo A u Br M ton ing k ell o CHARLTON BRIMFIELD r o W 6 r e 0 B - v L i M 1 y 4

i R il A t l d t SUTTON STURBRIDGE B M l r a e

o Q C R 4 k u 0 i i - n v er e 2

b h 4 OXFORD k a

A o MA41-01 ug c o R n M r iv e B e r r MA F s 41 e -0 l 2 DOUGLAS a M A W 41 MONSON -0 9 M WEBSTER M il A l B 4 r 1- oo 03 k WALES SOUTHBRIDGE 5 0 HOLLAND - 2 4 M A A M 4 DUDLEY 1

0 6

4 0

Quinebaug River (MA41-04) 2 4 A

PRIMARY CONTACT - PARTIAL SUPPORT M Cause: pathogens Source: unknown

SECONDARY CONTACT - SUPPORT

N 2 0 2 4 6 Miles

Figure 4. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational Uses Assessment Summary – Rivers.

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LEGEND

Support

Impaired (Partial Support, Non-support)

Not Assessed WEST Other Surface Waters BROOKFIELD LEICESTER

o Town Outlines r B Burnco at Brook w o

d Segment Break a Cady Brook (MA41-06) e

M SUPPORT: lower 4.8 miles n PARTIAL SUPPORT: upper 0.3 miles w AUBURN French River Basin o Causes: Odor T Sources: Municipal treatment plant Bartons Brook Quinebaug River Basin SPENCER EAST MILLBURY BROOKFIELD

y WARREN BROOKFIELD r

3 French River (MA42-04)

u 0

- b

2 i 4 r PARTIAL SUPPORT

A M d Causes: Objectionable deposits e Sources: Illegal dumpling m

5 a 0 - n

1 n 4 u A M ok Bro gton CHARLTON ellin BRIMFIELD STURBRIDGE W k o 6 o 0 M r - L ill 1 i B B 4 t r A t SUTTON o y le ok d M r a R Q C i e v v uin er i e R

b 4 a

u - g OXFORD 2 k R 4

o iv M e A o A41-01 r r h M B c n s e

le r a MA4 F 1-02 W DOUGLAS MA 41 MONSON -09 M WEBSTER M ill A B 4 ro 1- o 03 k French River (MA42-05) WALES SOUTHBRIDGE PARTIAL SUPPORT HOLLAND Causes: Odor, objectionable deposits 5 0 - 2 Sources: Urban runoff 4 M A A M 41 DUDLEY Quinebaug River (MA41-02) - 04 PARTIAL SUPPORT: upper 2.2 miles

SUPPORT: middle 2.5 miles

NON SUPPORT: lower 1.6 miles 2

A Causes: Turbidity, noxious aquatic plants, objectionable deposits M Sources: Urban runoff, municipal point source

Quinebaug River (MA41-03) French River (MA42-06) N PARTIAL SUPPORT PARTIAL SUPPORT Causes: Odor, objectionable deposits, turbidity Quinebaug River (MA41-09) Causes: Objectionable deposits, odor 2 0 2 4 Miles NON-SUPPORT Sources: Urban runoff, municipal point source Sources: Urban runoff, municipal point source Causes: Objectionable deposits, turbidity Sources: Urban runoff

Figure 5. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aesthetics Use Assessment Summary – Rivers. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xxi 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 Intentionally left blank

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xxii 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational Uses Assessment Summary

Lakes

Details of Recreational Use Impairments for lakes in the Quinebaug River Basin Details of Recreational Use Impairments for lakes in the French River Basin Use Assessment WBID Lake Name Causes (Sources: unknown) WBID Lake Name Use Assessment Causes (Sources: unknown) 1 - Primary Contact Recreation 1 - Primary Contact Recreation 2 - Secondary Contact Recreation 2 - Secondary Contact Recreation MA41031 McIntyre Pond 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants M A4 20 69 Balla rd Hill Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s MA41032* Mill Road Pond 1 NON-SUPPORT: 10 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants M A4 20 03 Bou ch ard P on d 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts 1 NOT ASSESSED: 5 acres M A4 20 15 Du tt on Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT Nu trien ts, no xiou s pla nt s, a lgae 2 SUPPORT: 5 acres M A4 20 17 Eas te rb ro ok Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s 2 NON-SUPPORT: 10 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants M A4 20 18 * Go re Po nd 1 & 2 SUPP ORT: 9 4 acres MA41059* Monson Road Pond 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT: 3 acres Noxious plants 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 7 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts M A4 20 22 Gree nville P on d (W est Ba sin) 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s 1 & 2 NOT ASSESSED: 1 acre M A4 20 29 Hu d son Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s MA41033 Morse Pond 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants M A4 20 72 Hu lte re d P on d 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s MA41057 Pistol Pond 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants M A4 20 30 * Jon es Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s MA41058 Railroad Pond 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants 1 & 2 NO T AS SE SSE D: 1 0 a cres MA41046* Sherman Pond 1 NON-SUPPORT: 20 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants M A4 20 68 * La rn er P on d 1 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts 1 NOT ASSESSED: 66 acres 1 NO T AS SE SSE D: 1 0 a cres 2 SUPPORT: 66 acres 2 SUPP ORT: 1 0 acres 2 NON-SUPPORT: 20 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts M A4 20 34 Lo wes Po n d 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s MA41047* Sibley Pond (North Basin) 1 & 2 PARTIAL SUPPORT: 16 acres Turbidity MA42049 M A4 20 35 * Mc Kinst ry Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 0 a cre s No xio us p lant s 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT: 5 acres Noxious plants, turbidity MA42007 1 & 2 NO T AS SE SSE D: 6 acre s MA41048 Sibley Pond (South Basin) 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, turbidity LEICESTER M A4 20 40 Pac kard Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts MA41049 Sylvestri Pond 1 & 2 NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants SPENCER M A4 20 43 * Pierp on t M ea do w Po nd 1 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts MA42015 1 NO T AS SE SSE D: 7 5 a cres * assessment does not apply to the entire lake acerage (i.e., support 66 acres; non-support 20 acres) MA42009 MA42025 2 SUPP ORT: 7 5 acres WEST 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s, no n-na tive plan ts BROOK- MA42063* MA42069 M A4 20 47 * Ro b in son P ond 1 & 2 NO T AS SE SSE D: 6 8 a cres FIELD MA42003 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 3 0 a cre s No xio us p lant s M A4 20 48 * Ro ch da le P ond 1 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s MA42022 1 NO T AS SE SSE D: 2 6 a cres MA42055 2 SUPP ORT: 2 6 acres MA42023 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 5 a cre s No xio us p lant s BROOK- M A4 20 51 She p herd Po nd 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s FIELD MA42048* M A4 20 60 Tobin s P on d 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s M A4 20 62 W allis P ond 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT No xio us p lant s MA42030* M A4 20 63 * W at son Mill P on d 1 & 2 PARTI AL S UPP ORT: 1 ac re No xio us p lant s EAST MA42065 1 & 2 NO N-S UP PO RT: 1 acre No xio us p lant s WARREN BROOKFIELD MA41058 MA42058 MA42032 AUBURN * assessment does not apply to the entire lake acerage (i.e., support 10 acres; non-support 15 acres) MA41017 MA42054 MA42044 MILLBURY MA42059 MA41001 MA41035 MA41047* MA42072 OXFORD MA42029 LEGEND SUTTON MA41029 MA41052 MA41048 MA42008 CHARLTON MA42046 Support MA41046* MA42035* BRIMFIELD MA41008 MA42053 Impaired MA41043 MA42005 (Partial Support, Non-support) MA41032* MA41014 MA42034 MA41057 MA41031 MA42004 Not Assessed MA42019 MA42047* STURBRIDGE MA42014 Other Surface Waters MA42043* MA41022 MA42039 WALES MA42051 DOUGLAS Town Outlines MA42018* WEBSTER MONSON SOUTHBRIDGE MA42024 MA41059* HOLLAND MA42060 Basin Outlines MA42037 MA42062 MA41027 MA41049 MA42068* MA42042 MA42064 MA41038 MA41053 French River Basin MA42017 MA42033 MA41016 MA41019 MA41039 Quinebaug River Basin DUDLEYMA42036 MA41040 MA41033 MA42040 MA41056

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Figure 6. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Primary and Secondary Contact Recreational Uses Assessment Summary – Lakes.

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French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xxiv 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 FRENCH & QUINEBAUG RIVER WATERSHEDS Aesthetics Use Assessment Summary – Lakes

Details of Aesthetic Use Impairments for lakes in the Quinebaug River Watershed Details of Aesthetic Use Impairments for lakes in the French River Watershed WBID Lake Name Use Assessment Causes (Sources: unknown) WBID Lake Name Use Assessment Causes (Sources: unknown) MA41031 McIntyre Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA42069 Ballard Hill Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA41032* Mill Road Pond SUPPORT: 5 acres MA42003 Bouchard Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants NON-SUPPORT: 10 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42015 Dutton Pond NON-SUPPORT Nutrients, noxious plants, algae MA41059* Monson Road Pond NON-SUPPORT: 3 acres Noxious plants MA42017 Easterbrook Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants NOT ASSESSED: 1 acre MA42018* Gore Pond SUPPORT: 94 acres MA41033 Morse Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants NON-SUPPORT: 75 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants MA41057 Pistol Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA42022 Greenville Pond (West Basin) NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA41058 Railroad Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42029 Hudson Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA41046* Sherman Pond SUPPORT: 66 acres MA42072 Hultered Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants NON-SUPPORT: 20 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42030* Jones Pond NON-SUPPORT: 15 acres Noxious plants MA41047* Sibley Pond (North Basin) PARTIAL SUPPORT: 16 acres Turbidity NOT ASSESSED: 10 acres NON-SUPPORT: 5 acres Noxious plants MA42049 MA42068* Larner Pond SUPPORT: 10 acres MA41048 Sibley Pond (South Basin) NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, turbidity MA42007 NON-SUPPORT: 15 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants MA41049 Sylvestri Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42034 Lowes Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants LEICESTER MA42035* McKinstry Pond NON-SUPPORT: 10 acres Noxious plants * assessment does not apply to the entire lake acerage (e.g., support 66 acres; non-support 12 acres) MA42015 NOT ASSESSED: 6 acres MA42009 MA42025 MA42040 Packard Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants, non-native plants WEST SPENCER MA42043* Pierpont Meadow Pond SUPPORT: 75 acres BROOK- NON-SUPPORT: 15 acres Noxious plants, non-native plants MA42063* MA42069 MA42047* Robinson Pond NON-SUPPORT: 30 acres Noxious plants FIELD MA42003 NOT ASSESSED: 68 acres MA42048* Rochdale Pond SUPPORT: 26 acres MA42022 NON-SUPPORT: 15 acres Noxious plants MA42055 MA42051 Shepherd Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA42023 MA42060 Tobins Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA42062 Wallis Pond NON-SUPPORT Noxious plants MA42048* MA42063* Watson Mill Pond PARTIAL SUPPORT: 1 acre Noxious plants BROOKFIELD NON-SUPPORT: 1 acre Noxious plants EAST MA42030* * assessment does not apply to the entire lake acerage (e.g., support 66 acres; non-support 12 acres) BROOKFIELD MA42065 WARREN MA41058 MA42058 AUBURN MA42032 MA41017 MA42054 MA42044 MILLBURY MA41047* MA42059 LEGEND MA41001 MA41035 MA42072 OXFORD MA42029 MA41046* SUTTON Support MA41029 MA41052 MA41048 MA42008 CHARLTON MA42046 Impaired MA42035* (Partial Support, Non-support) BRIMFIELD MA41008 MA42053 MA41043 MA42005 MA41014 MA42034 Not Assessed MA41032* MA41057 MA41031 MA42004 Other Surface Waters MA42019 MA42047* STURBRIDGE MA42014 Town Outlines MA41022 MA42043* MA42039 WALES Basin Outlines MA42018*MA42051 MONSON SOUTHBRIDGE MA42024 DOUGLAS MA41059* HOLLAND MA42060 WEBSTER French River Basin MA42062 MA41027 MA42037 MA41049 MA42042 MA42064 MA41038 MA41053 MA42068* Quinebaug River Basin MA41016 MA42017 MA42033 MA41019 MA41039 MA42036 DUDLEY MA41040 MA41033 MA41056 MA42040

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Figure 7. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds Aesthetics Use Assessment Summary – Lakes. French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xxv 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0 Intentionally left blank

French & Quinebaug River Watersheds 2001 Water Quality Assessment Report xxvi 41/42wqar.doc DWM CN 51.0