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WHAT’S HAPPENING –
NEWS ABOUT OUR WATERSHEDS
Monoosnoc Brook Rescue
Like other urbanizing streams, Monoosnoc Brook has been slowly dying from a thousand cuts. The natural watershed of forests, fields and wetlands is being replaced by new homes and businesses. Roads and drainage pipes have become the Brook's tributaries - these stormwater conduits prevent groundwater recharge and diminish stream flow. Rapid runoff amplifies frequent flooding that erodes stream banks and dirty, oily stormwater creates lethal conditions for stream life. Native trout habitats have disappeared, and the Brook's ponds have become choked with sediments and invasive weeds. But damages are being reversed by partnerships among city officials, community groups, state and federal agencies.
Monoosnoc Brook
The history of Leominster is tied to the flow of Monoosnoc Brook. The Brook powered early industries that shaped City growth, and it was a focal point of community life. As the Brook declined, its uses were abandoned. Renewal of the water is being enabled by the joint efforts of the Mayor's Office, Leominster Department of Public Works, Nashua River Watershed Association, Leominster Land Trust and the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition (MWC).
The highest watershed elevations are protected forests in the Monoosnoc Hills. Densely developed areas in the lower elevations are major pollution sources that impair the Brook and the North Nashua River.
Monoosnoc Brook and its watershed are well-used for outdoor recreation. Hiking and biking are popular in the upper watershed, which replenishes Leominster drinking water supplies. Children play in the lower reaches of the Brook and have enjoyed its ponds for swimming, boating and fishing.
Restoration of the Brook will allow the return of trout and greater stream life. Stormwater controls can diminish flooding that harms residential areas and downtown businesses. Better water quality will foster public uses of Monoosnoc Brook, including the expansion of a streamside trail to enhance community enjoyment of this unique natural resource.
 Rescue Progress
The 2003 Monoosnoc Brook Rescue Plan was created by the Leominster Land Trust and MWC with the help of businesses and municipal officials. An EPA New England Healthy Communities Grant in 2006 was a catalyst to prevent pollution, reduce environmental risks and improve the Brook. As part of these activities, project partners evaluated 150 sites for stormwater remediation and received Section 319 Nonpoint Pollution funding assistance from EPA and the MA Department of Environmental Protection. Combined local, state, and federal involvement has achieved many encouraging outcomes, including those highlighted below.
Community Outreach - Information on pollution prevention is being provided through City schools, cable TV, newspapers, flyers sent to residents and materials distributed at community events. Educational activities have spurred positive responses as homeowners, businesses, churches and community groups learn about rain gardens and other pollution prevention practices. City officials have encouraged local builders to install bioretention and pervious paving that will reduce runoff impacts from development projects. Partners are also working with school teachers to prevent pollution and involve their students in building rain gardens.
Pollution Reduction - The Mayor's office is a keen advocate for increased street sweeping, rain gardens and the Monoosnoc Brook Greenway Trail. The Leominster DPW has fixed leaky sewers and improved drainage systems, including installation of new catch basins with outlet hoods. Thirty-two rain gardens, tree box filters and bioretention areas are now helping to cleanse runoff from streets and parking lots. Designs for additional treatment practices, including a constructed stormwater wetland, will be installed and continue to improve Monoosnoc Brook and the North nashua River.
Brook Monitoring - Project partners and neighborhood volunteers conducted monthly water sampling of five Brook sites during 2007. In addition, macro invertebrates collected at several locations found aquatic insects that indicate those sites were slightly to moderately impaired. Monitoring in 2008 and 2009 has shown better water quality and a Brook trout was recently spotted - promising signs that ecosystems are on the mend and the Brook is becoming healthier for people.
As part of the EPA Healthy Communities Project, partners prepared an Urban Stream Care Guide that offers practical information about stormwater remedies. Pollution prevention and growth management are challenges for municipal officials across Massachusetts. Ongoing restoration of the Monoosnoc Brook will supply more guidance to help communities repair local streams that are harmed by watershed development.
Urban Stream Care Guide Available
MWC staff worked with Monoosnoc Brook project partners to produce a user-friendly guide for municipal officials, state and federal agencies and watershed organizations. This practical guidance on stormwater can help prevent pollution, reduce health risks, restore aquatic ecosystems, and renew community uses of streams and ponds. Better stream care improves the health of local waters and avoids sky-rocketing costs for water treatment and remediation.
The focus for the guide is six strategies and a dozen Best Management Practices to get started. Other stream care remedies can be added over time. Technical manuals are referenced, and the guide is based on ongoing efforts to rescue a damaged urban stream in a small city that has rapidly grown without the benefits of careful stream care.
The Urban Stream Care Guide is available in both hard copy and electronic version. Please email or call the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition if you have questions or would like to order this publication. |
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