Parker River Freshwater Mainstem
Subwatershed Information
Municipalities: North Andover,
Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, West Newbury, Newbury. Estimated Population: 7400
General Description: This
subwatershed originates in North Andover and West Boxford and is the
headwaters of the main stem of the Parker River. Six large hills
– Byers, Russell, Foster, Wood, Bayn’s, and Shaven Crown
– are the primary geologic features that form the upper boundary
of this subwatershed. Unnamed tributaries meet in West Boxford to form
the Parker River.
The land use is primarily residential and open space, some of which has
been protected by the Georgetown Water District or through conservation
restrictions. In addition, a large portion of the Crane Pond Wildlife
Management Area is located within this subwatershed.
Industrial/commercial areas in Georgetown are also located in this
subwatershed.
The public water supply areas for Georgetown and Newbury are located in
this subwatershed. Undeveloped land use has declined from 7064
acres in 1991 to 6722 acres in 1999; residential land use has risen
from 1965 acres in 1991 to 2349 acres in 1999.
Land Area: 9,320 acres (14.6
square miles)
Land Use as of 1999:
Undeveloped – 6722 acres (72% of the subwatershed, Forest is 54%)
Residential – 2349 acres
(25% of the subwatershed)
Commercial/Industrial –
249 acres (3% of the subwatershed)
Named Tributaries: Lufkin Brook
(locally named)
Lakes and Ponds: Cole’s
Pond, Crane Pond, Pentucket Pond, Rock Pond, Sperry’s Pond.
Rapid Watershed Assessment: The proportion of impervious cover in this
subwatershed is estimated to be 4.3%, based upon 1999 land use
information. This is a slight increase from the 1991 impervious area
estimate of 3.8%. The water quality would be 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, some localized impacts from summer low flows, road
runoff, non-point source pollution and habitat alteration are likely.
Impacts are expected with future growth, predicted by a recently
completed build-out analysis.
Water Quality Information: This
section of the Parker River is listed as needing confirmation of
impairment due to flow alteration. Portions or the river have been
observed to go dry in recent years, but not in all years.
Sperry’s and Crane Pond are listed as impaired due to noxious
aquatic plants. Mercury in fish in this area appears to be higher than
the state average and fish consumption advisories have been issued by
the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Pentucket Pond and
Rock Pond. The advisory can be found at
www.state.ma.us/dph/beha/fishlist.htm
The invasive aquatic plant fanwort, Cabomba caroliniana was found in
Pentucket Pond in 1997. The town of Georgetown has taken steps to
control its spread. With funding from several state agencies,
Georgetown, through its consultant the Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission, is investigating the causes of high coliform bacteria at
the town beach. The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission will also be
conducting a watershed assessment for Rock and Pentucket
Ponds from funds secured through the Massachusetts Watershed
Initiative.
Stormwater management practices are being implemented by the town to
address some of the suspected sources of the bacterial contamination at
Pentucket Pond. Through the efforts of the Department of Environmental
Protection, the Georgetown Housing Authority has recently upgraded and
improved
the wastewater management system at the Trestle Way property. This
should result in improved water quality conditions in Pentucket Pond.
The Parker River Clean Water Association has conducted volunteer
monitoring at six locations in this subwatershed. The Department of
Environmental Protection, Division of Watershed Management had
conducted water quality monitoring at several sites in 1975, 1978, 1984
and 1994. In 1999 biomonitoring replaced the DEP water quality
monitoring program. Monitoring has shown that instream nitrogen and
phosphorous concentrations are lower than many other
Massachusetts rivers. Dissolved oxygen can be depressed during the
summer low flow period. The Parker River Clean Water Association
conducts a fish count at several sites in this subwatershed during the
spring alewife run.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management conducted a
pond assessment in Pentucket Pond in 1997; results for the parameters
tested fell within the normal range for a healthy lake, however aquatic
plant growth is dense in some areas of the pond.
Wildlife and Fisheries: The
Parker River, Rock Pond and Pentucket Pond are stocked with trout and
the river is managed for anadromous fish (alewife). Several sites of
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Priority Site and Rare
Habitat are located within this subwatershed. Blanding’s turtle
have been found in this subwatershed. A tracking study is being
conducted to identify habitat of this Threatened species in the Boxford
and Groveland area.
Land Protection: Groveland and
Georgetown have begun investigating ways of protecting land along the
Parker River and bordering areas in the Merrimack River watershed. This
area includes a proposed subdivision known as Stephenson’s Way.
Boxford has a number of potential land protection projects in the
headwaters. Another area of interest for the Georgetown Open Space
Committee is an area between Pentucket Pond and Wheeler Brook.
Recommendations: Continue
working with the Town of Georgetown on the Pentucket Pond, Rock Pond
watershed management plan. Keep a watchful eye for fanwort in Pentucket
Pond. Determine the effectiveness of the new Pentucket Pond fish ladder
as well as assisting with its operation and maintenance. Continue to
work with the Essex County Sportsmen’s Association, Essex County
Greenbelt Association and Parker River Clean Water Association, on all
fish ladders in the subwatershed. Review mitigation monitoring reports
for Duffy’s Landing well, Georgetown. Seek to obtain aquatic
habitat information of this subwatershed, possibly through a volunteer
stream survey. Need to certify vernal pools. Follow the progress of the
Blanding’s turtle tracking study.
Review draft list of impaired waterbodies and prioritize actions to
correct the impairment, work to delist some segments or monitor to
determine status of impairment. Conduct stream survey and aquatic
habitat survey.
(Data obtained from the Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Watershed Initiative,
2002 Watershed Assessment Report)