Programs
Mattabesset River Watershed
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Begun in 1992, the Mattabesset program is CRWP’s longest standing.
The Mattabesset program has generated an extensive database of water quality
information, and has raised local awareness of river resources and water
quality threats. Data from 1992 to 1998 were summarized in a report titled
The Mattabesset River: A Study of Water Quality and Stream Health. Information
collected through CRWP has been used by municipalities to investigate
potential sources of pollution, by the state for planning purposes, and
in developing a comprehensive management plan for the Mattabesset Watershed.
Monitoring activities in the Mattabesset and Coginchaug Rivers—now in the 16th year—have included collecting and analyzing water and benthic macroinvertebrate samples at long-term sites; conducting physical surveys of tributary streams; and periodic visual inspections. CRWP staff have also conducted follow-up water quality surveys in tributary streams to locate failing septic systems and other pollution sources in Berlin, Rocky Hill and Cromwell. In 2004, CRWP cooperated with the CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to collect samples used in developing a bacteria TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for the Mattabesset Watershed.
Project partners include
the watershed towns of Berlin, Cromwell, Durham, Guilford, Middlefield,
Middletown, Newington, New Britain, as well as the Central Connecticut
Health District, CT DEP, the State Public Health Laboratory and Xavier
High School.
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Hockanum River Watershed
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The Hockanum program was initiated in 1999. Community volunteers have
assisted in conducting physical surveys of the
Hockanum River and its major tributary the Tankerhoosen River, and annual
benthic macroinvertebrate surveys (rapid bioassessments or RBVs) of the
Hockanum and Tankerhoosen Rivers. Bioassessment results have been used
in local efforts to protect the Tankerhoosen River, and incorporated in
a statewide RBV report produced by the CT DEP.
Project partners include the Hockanum River Linear Park Committee in Vernon, Hockanum River Watershed Association, North Central Conservation District, and the CT DEP.
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Eightmile River Watershed
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The Eightmile program is being conducted in partnership with the community-based
Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Study. Begun in 1999, monitoring activities
have included physical surveys of the Eightmile River and its major tributary,
the East Branch Eightmile River, and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
(rapid bioassessments or RBVs) of the Eightmile, the East Branch Eightmile
and tributary streams. Activities have been conducted with the help of
community volunteers and students from Three Rivers Community College.
Summary reports have been produced each year, and bioassessment results
incorporated in a statewide RBV report produced by CT DEP. CRWP data were
used in the effort to obtain Federal Wild and Scenic Designation
for the Eightmile River.
Project partners include the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee, made up of representatives of the major watershed towns (East Haddam, Lyme and Salem), the local land trusts, The Nature Conservancy, the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency, CT DEP and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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Salmon River Watershed
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The Salmon program has included two separate efforts. In 2002, CRWP conducted
a physical survey of the Jeremy River and headwater streams in Colchester
in cooperation with the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension
System’s Salmon River Watershed Project. In 2003, an assessment
of the upper reaches of the Blackledge River (a major tributary of the
Salmon) was initiated in partnership with the Bolton Conservation Commission
spurred by concerns about development pressure in the area. Members of
the Conservation Commission and the community have assisted in conducting
a stream walk survey and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys (rapid bioassessments
or RBVs). Summary reports have been produced for each effort, and bioassessment
results incorporated in a statewide RBV report produced by the DEP.
Project partners include the Salmon River Watershed Committee (with representation from seven major watershed towns and other stakeholders), University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, town of Colchester, CT DEP, and Bolton Conservation Commission.
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Farmington River Watershed
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The Farmington program is focused on the Pequabuck River, a major tributary
of the Farmington. CRWP has conducted a water sampling and analysis program
in the Pequabuck River watershed since 2002 in cooperation with the Pequabuck
River Watershed Association (PRWA). Community volunteers and PRWA members
have collected water samples from the Pequabuck River and two tributaries,
Poland River and Copper Mine Brook. Samples have been analyzed at the
State Public Health Laboratory and at several area university labs. Summary
reports have been produced each year. Water quality data has also been
incorporated into a State of the Watershed Report as part of a local effort
led by the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA) and other
watershed stakeholders, and were used in developing a watershed management
plan for the Pequabuck River.
Project partners include PRWA, the Bristol-Burlington Health District, Torrington Area Health District, CCRPA, the State Public Health Laboratory, CT DEP, Wesleyan University and Saint Joseph College Freshwater Institute.
