General Description: This
relatively small subwatershed is located in the northeastern portion of
Georgetown. Largely undeveloped it contains some agricultural and
residential land use. It is split by interstate highway route 95. Water
supply areas that serve Georgetown and Rowley are located in this
subwatershed. Residential land use in this subwatershed is 444 acres,
up from 334 acres in 1991 while Undeveloped land use is 948 acres, down
from 1048 acres in 1991.
Land Area: 1521 acres (2.4
square miles)
Land Use as of 1999:Undeveloped – 948 acres (62%
of the subwatershed, Forest is 51%)
Residential – 444 acres
(30% of the subwatershed)
Commercial/Industrial – 129
acres (8% of the subwatershed)
Named Tributaries: Jackman Brook
Lakes and Ponds: no named ponds
Rapid Watershed Assessment: The
proportion of impervious cover in this subwatershed is estimated to be
8.5%. Based upon this, the water quality should be 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 is likely.
Water Quality Information: Wheeler
Brook and Jackman Brook have been included in past Department of
Environmental Protection water quality monitoring programs. The 1984
survey had two sampling stations on Wheeler Brook. The 1994 survey
included two stations on Wheeler Brook and one on Jackman Brook. Also,
in 1999 the Department of Environmental Protection Biological
Assessment included a station on Jackman Brook, downstream of Jackman
Street.
The Parker River Clean Water Association has a water quality monitoring
station on Wheeler Brook at Parish Road. Data from the Department of
Environmental Protection monitoring and from the Parker River Clean
Water Association indicate the presence of non-point source pollution.
Nitrogen was found to be high during the Department of Environmental
Protection water quality surveys and during the Parker River Clean
Water Association survey. The biological assessment indicates a limited
aquatic habitat, although the macroinvertebrate community has been
rated as being “non-impacted.”
Recommendations: Sources of
non-point source pollution to Wheeler Brook and Jackman Brook should be
identified and corrected. This will help to protect and maintain the
apparent high quality of the aquatic biological community. A shoreline
survey should be considered here as part of this effort. This
subwatershed is also a likely candidate for an open space protection
effort.
(Data obtained from the Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Watershed Initiative,
2002 Watershed Assessment Report)