Efforts to improve river health and enhance public safety on the Ipswich River recently got a big boost thanks to a state grant strongly supported by our local legislative delegation. On February 16, 2018 the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $22,397 grant to support surveys for the removal of the South Middleton Dam.
In the press release every member of the state senate and house who represent this section of the watershed voiced their strong support for the project. “We’re very thankful to Senator Tarr and representatives Jones and Speliotis for their seals of approval and ongoing support for the restoration of the Ipswich River,” says Brian Kelder, Restoration Program Manager. “This support along with the backing of a variety of financial supporters over the years has put this project on a path to completion. We look forward to seeing a restored river at this site in the very near future.”
The planned removal of this dam on the Ipswich River represents one of the largest river restoration opportunities in Massachusetts, restoring habitat connection to 57 miles of river and streams and 119 acres of headwater ponds. Removing the South Middleton Dam will also remove a potentially hazardous structure from the landscape and eliminate any threat that dam failure may pose to the Boston Street Bridge and other downstream property. The effort has been spearheaded by the dam owner (Bostik, Inc.) with the support of a team of partners including the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Restoration Center, American Rivers, and the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
The newly announced funds are administered by DER and will be used to complete important cultural and historical resources surveys of the dam and its surroundings. Using these funds, we have hired an experienced consulting firm to complete the surveys on behalf of DER and Bostik. This work puts the project one step closer to its goal of removing the dam to restore river health, improve public safety, and enhance storm resilience in this portion of the Ipswich River.
hi there
as a former resident of the watershed area, Beverly, i take great interest in the River. And i used to canoe it.
as part of the problem with low flow, especially in the summer, has any coordinated effort been made to retrofit some of the paved areas with permeable surfaces?
Also, dry wells. Here in Boston, parking areas have to install dry wells capable of holding rain water based on 100 year rain event. the size is determined by the square footage of the paved surface in question. On the west side of I-93 in the River drainage area there are vast parking lots that might be adaptable to this sort of program. (i would suspect that the de-icing salts may have to be considered.) And i a wondering if the effort to control water extraction by private wells has advanced.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
This year we are pushing for more of the watershed to employee LID practices like permeable pavement and dry wells. Including LID consideration in new development planning and refitting existing properties with more eco-friendly features would make a big impact on the health of the river.