JONES RIVER WATERSHED ASSESSMENT
Weir River Watershed Assessment
Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Management
Boston, MA
Offstream demand for consumptive water use has resulted in many streams in eastern Massachusetts being over-allocated.
This has resulted in impaired aquatic ecosystems as many streams go dry or at least chronically flow at drought-levels. The
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management attempted to restore public trust habitat and water quality
resources to a number of these streams by assessing both habitat requirements as well as existing and future human use of
surface waters and related aquifers.
Kleinschmidt provided a habitat-based assessment of instream flow needs for native species in two suburbanized coastal watersheds south of Boston. Teamed with GZA Environmental, Kleinschmidt conducted site visits, collected channel geometry and hydraulic data, and using habitat suitability criteria for a representative cross-section of native fish fauna. made recommendations for Aquatic Habitat Safe Yield, based on both habitat requirements and seasonal variations in hydrology. This incremental analysis allows watershed planners and affected municipalities to evaluate the potential benefits and tradeoffs to the stream ecosystem of different water demand scenarios. This tool is being employed by water users and resource managers to balance competing flow allocation demands for human and aquatic habitat purposes.
For further information contact Brandon Kulik, Kleinschmidt, Pittsfield, Maine (207) 487-3328.