DPW Projects– Environmental Management Division
Town Brook Dam Removal
Scope: The Town of Plymouth Department of Public Works Environmental Management Division is completing design and entering the permitting phase for the Off Billington Street and Plymco Dams located on Town Brook.
This Feasibility study (below) assessed the current conditions of the structures, public safety, environmental and cost issues associated with repairing or removing these structures. It includes survey, HEC-RAS modeling, flow and flood analysis, fish passage analysis and sediment contamination review. It provides cost estimates with each alternative to the Town for final decision-making.
Partners: Town of Plymouth Planning Department, NOAA Restoration Center, Massachusetts Riverways Program, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Bays Program.
Status: Feasability study completed. Awaiting grant funding for the final design for the dam removal.
Schedule/Funding: Feasibility study completed Winter 2007. Currently working on Final Design and Permitting
Funding Sources:
$50,000 CLF/NOAA
$14,445 CLF/NOAA
$35,000 CLF/NOAA
$50,000 Gulf of Maine Council
$50,000 American Rivers
$50,000 CWRP
$30,000 Riverways Program
$25,000 Riverways Program
$54,000 CLF/NOAA
$8,000 USGS Sampling & Labwork
$20,000.00 Town of Plymouth
Eel River Headwaters Restoration Project
Scope: The project consists of restoring approximately 40 acres of in-active cranberry bogs to native wetland habitats including over 17,000 Atlantic white cedar trees. From the headwaters of the Eel River extending 1.75miles, a natural stream channel and floodplain will be restored, including in-stream habitat features. Two road crossing culverts will be replaced both repairing the road as well as improving fish and wildlife passage. The Sawmill Pond Dam will be reconfigured to open upstream areas to fish and wildlife after being cut off for over 150 years.
Major Project Objectives:
Dramatic improvements to wetland and riverine habitat will result in new and more abundant fish and wildlife in the headwaters of the Eel River.
The planting of 17,000 Atlantic white cedar trees marks the first large scale restoration of this rare wetland type in Massachusetts
The project will provide additional nutrient, sediment and contamination retention capacity to the coastal system.
The restoration of 40-acres of wetlands at Eel River will contribute to the state’s ten-year 3,000 acre wetland restoration goal.
Project Partners: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Massachusetts Riverways, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, Massachusetts Bays Program, The Nature Conservancy, Eel River Watershed Association.
Status:
Ongoing with completion date of Summer 2010
Hayden Pond Land Acquisition
As an expanded project scope, the Town reviewed potential land along the Eel River to preserve as conservation land. The Town has acquired a 13 acre parcel along Hayden Pond with $38,500 of the USFWS National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (listed below) and $91,500 of Challenge Grant Money.
Photographs of Hayden Pond Parcel Acquisition
Pond & River Monitoring Program
The Pond Monitoring Program was created to develop a baseline report and assess water quality on a number of ponds and rivers in Plymouth. This data is significant in determining solutions to potential water quality issues such as stormwater, nutrient loading from fertilizer use/septic systems, etc. The program is supported by a Massachusetts Environmental Trust grant for a period of 3 years (July 2009-July 2012).
Biological Monitoring - Water column profiles, secchi transparency, photoplankton sampling, macrophyte scouting, bathymetric data
Halfway Pond, Round Pond, Gallows Pond, Bloody Pond, Little Long Pond, Long Pond, Billington Sea, Little Pond, Great Herring Pond, Great South Pond
Nutrient Monitoring & Sampling - Collect water quality data, generate solutions & implementation strategies to improve water quality
Six Ponds Association Monitors: Halfway Pond, Round Pond, Gallows Pond, Bloody Pond, Little Long Pond, Long Pond,
Harbor Dredging
Scope: The Town of Plymouth Department of Public Works Environmental Management Division is working assessment, engineering and permitting to dredge portions of Plymouth Harbor. The harbor has not been dredged in decades resulting in safety concerns and loss of mooring areas.
This project will provide for improved navigation in the harbor, increased mooring areas and the long term use of the harbor for commercial and recreational boats.
Partners: Town of Plymouth Harbormasters Office, Massachusetts Seaport Council, Massachusetts Division of Conservation and Recreation – Office of Waterways.
Status: Engineering and permitting are on-going. Phase 1 sediment testing is complete.
Schedule/Funding:
Phase I: Fall 2007
Funding Sources:
$160,000.00 Massachusetts Seaport Council
Engineering for new T-Wharf
Scope: The Town of Plymouth Department of Public Works Environmental Management Division is working on engineering and permitting a new T-Wharf for Plymouth Harbor.
This project will provide engineering and permitting services for a new T-Wharf to serve the commercial fishing fleet in Plymouth Harbor. The new wharf will provide for loading and unloading of vessels, vehicular access, jib cranes, utilities and storm protection.
Partners: Town of Plymouth Harbormasters Office, Massachusetts Seaport Council, Massachusetts Division of Conservation and Recreation – Office of Waterways.
Status: Permitting is ongoing.
Schedule/Funding:
Engineering and Permitting: Permitting is ongoing
Funding Sources:
$150,000.00 Massachusetts Seaport Council
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