About
IRWA
History & Accomplishments
A
non-profit organization incorporated in 1977, IRWA has developed
a range of programs and projects aimed at protecting and restoring
the water resources of the Ipswich River Watershed. Over the
past decade, IRWA has focused its efforts on assessing and
publicizing the condition of the Ipswich River. Major accomplishments
include:
•
Scientific studies. IRWA started the Ipswich River Task Force,
later formalized as the Ipswich River Watershed Management
Council under the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Watershed Initiative. The Task Force spearheaded key studies
of the Ipswich River. The first study investigated the causes
of low-flow episodes of the Ipswich River (USGS
2000). A companion study addressed the relationship between
flow quantity and aquatic habitat, and documented the loss
of key river fish species from the river ecosystem (USGS
2001).
•
Water quality/river monitoring. IRWA developed the RiverWatch
monitoring program, which is run by volunteers under a
quality assurance plan. Monthly monitoring since 1997 has
documented frequent periods of very low dissolved oxygen,
in violation of Massachusetts Water Quality Standards. IRWA
also monitors the annual herring run, has sampled macroinvertebrates,
and has assisted state agencies in fish community and 5-year
assessments. IRWA’s volunteer Stream Teams seek to protect
and restore the river and its tributaries in several watershed
communities through local action.
•
Advocacy. IRWA’s ongoing advocacy
ensures that water withdrawal permits under the MA Water Management
Act are protective of river flows during periods of low-flow
stress. IRWA input has helped shape state water policy, including
the Massachusetts Water Policy adopted by the Executive Office
of Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Water Conservation
Standards.
•
Watershed Management. Under the Watershed Initiative, IRWA
conducted a “capacity-building” project and oversaw
the development of the Ipswich
River Watershed Management Plan. IRWA also wrote the Ipswich
River Regional Water Conservation Plan, which was unanimously
adopted by the Watershed Management Council in 2003, and oversaw
implementation of a series of water conservation demonstration
projects in communities throughout the region. IRWA developed
a Water Supply Protection Planning Project for the Towns of
Danvers and Middleton, focusing on preventing stormwater contamination
of its reservoirs.
•
Education and outreach. IRWA’s educational initiatives
have raised awareness of the Ipswich River and the threats
it faces among town officials, community members, the media,
and students. IRWA’s Planning
for Growth, and Hydrologics
curricula are used by teachers at local schools.
IRWA also offers training programs for town selectmen, planning
boards, and conservation committees, and has conducted outreach
to state and local legislators.
•
Demonstration projects. IRWA has developed numerous projects
to demonstrate innovative strategies for low impact development
and water conservation, such as environmentally friendly landscaping
and gardens and distribution of rain barrels. IRWA is currently
working with the MA Department
of Conservation and Recreation to implement a three-year
project to demonstrate low impact development and water conservation
techniques for new residential developments in the watershed,
and measure and model their benefits. This project is funded
by an EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant.
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