HOWLETT BROOK WATERSHED - Ipswich River Watershed Association

HOWLETT BROOK

WATERSHED RESTORATION PROJECT

PROJECT BACKGROUND

A watershed approach to barrier mitigation. This project seeks to assess and improve fish passage in Howlett Brook, a tributary to the Ipswich River in northeastern Massachusetts, by prioritizing and removing barriers to passage for eastern brook trout and river herring. With additional funding from EEA's Municipal vulnerability program, this project will complete 30% design plans and cost estimates for 18 barriers, assess the status of eastern brook trout populations, remove two high priority barriers and open 8 miles of stream and 68 acres of historic pond spawning habitat for river herring.

PROJECT PARTNERS

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WHAT IS THIS PROJECT?

Focused on fish habitat restoration at the subwatershed scale.

Working with Ipswich, Topsfield, and Boxford to prioritize and address stream crossing barriers.

Identify funding sources in order to upgrade and/or remove stream crossing barriers.

Perform comprehensive monitoring to determine the effectiveness of our efforts.

Determine the viability of cold water species, such as eastern brook trout.

ANTICIPATED PROJECT OUTCOMES

MVP Case Study on Trout Unlimited Plan Sets (coming soon)

Remove two high priority barriers.

Open 8 miles of stream and 68 acres of historic pond spawning habitat for river herring.

Complete survey work, 30% engineering designs and cost estimates for 18 priority crossings.

Assess the status of Eastern Brook Trout.

Increased flood resilience within the Howlett Brook region.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Partners: Trout Unlimited Nor’East, Trout Unlimited National, Sea Run Brook Trout Coalition, MA DMF, Town of Topsfield, Town of Ipswich, Town of Boxford

Funding Source: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation New England Forest and Rivers Fund

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs- Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program