Rowley River and Egypt River Subwatershed
Information
Municipalities: Rowley and
Ipswich
Estimated Population: 3507
General Description: A tidal
river system that is influenced by Bull and Dow Brook, two freshwater
tributaries. Bull Brook Reservoir and Dow Brook Reservoir, which serve
the town of Ipswich, are located in this subwatershed. Public water
supply wells for the town of Ipswich are also located in this
subwatershed. A portion of this subwatershed is located in the Parker
River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. A
non-functional fishway is located on the Egypt River, just downstream
of the two reservoirs.
Recreational boaters enjoy the tidal sectionof this subwatershed
accessing it from the Rowley Town Landing. A portion of Willowdale
State Forest is located in the headwaters, as are some other parcels of
protected open space. Some areas of Natural Heritage & Endangered
Species Priority Site and Rare Habitat are located within this
subwatershed. Shellfishing occurs primarily in the Rowley River east of
the railroad bridge and the flats adjacent to the Rowley River. At one
time there was a recreational oyster fishery in the Rowley River. The
potential for this still exists as there remains good habitat for
oysters. All shellfish waters in this subwatershed are classified as
“Conditionally Approved”, except for the Eagle Hill River,
which is “Conditionally Closed” during July and August.
Residential land use has increased slightly, up from 614 acres in 1991
to 628 acres in 1999. Undeveloped land use is nearly unchanged from
5284 acres in 1991 to 5267 in 1999.
Land Area: 6120 acres (9.6
square miles)
Land Use as of 1999: Undeveloped
–5267 acres (86% of the subwatershed, Forest is 45%)
Residential – 628 acres
(10% of the subwatershed)
Commercial/Industrial –
225 acres (4% of the subwatershed)
Named Tributaries: Club Head
Creek, Shad Creek, West Creek, Sand Creek, Muddy Run, Dow Brook, Bull
Brook.
Lakes and Ponds: Bull Brook
Reservoir, Dow Brook Reservoir
Rapid Watershed Assessment: The
proportion of impervious cover in this subwatershed is estimated to be
0.3%. The water quality would expected to be of high quality. While a
comprehensive survey has not been done, one would expect to find
excellent habitat, diverse communities, and a stable stream channel.
However, actual water quality information exists that indicates
influences from stormwater and potentially boat waste. Shellfish is the
primary sensitive resource in the tidal portion of the subwatershed.
Water quality information: Water
quality in this subwatershed is affected in several locations by
stormwater. The shellfish beds are conditionally approved for
harvesting, except for July and August in the Eagle Hill River. They
are closed after certain rainfall events due to bacterial
contamination, primarily from stormwater. Water quality data indicate
that after rainfall events bacterial contamination increases and the
greatest increases are in the vicinity of the Rowley town landing.
Bacteria is monitored by the Division of Marine Fisheries at various
locations within the tidal segments of this subwatershed.
The Massachusetts Audubon Society included monitoring stations in this
subwatershed as part of the Plum Island Sound Minibays study. The Marine
Biological Laboratory is also conducting research in this subwatershed.
The Parker River Clean Water Associations includes a monitoring station
at the Rowley Town Landing as part of their monthly volunteer
monitoring program.
Recommendations: Support the
efforts and projects of the Great Marsh teams. Continue to promote
stormwater management and boat waste management. Identify unprotected
open space and work with landowners and communities to encourage land
protection through conservation restriction and acquisition. Work with
municipalities and land trusts to implement open space protection
strategies. Promote outreach and education efforts directed towards
boat waste
management. Work to implement the recommendations contained in the ACEC
management plan. Evaluate the feasibility and benefits of repairing the
fishway on the Egypt River.
(Data obtained from the Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Watershed Initiative,
2002 Watershed Assessment Report)