On November 6, 2010, Mass Division of Ecological Restoration’s Beth Lambert presented to concerned citizens of West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard. Beth’s presentation discusses what MA DER does and how it helps dam owners and townspeople consider river restoration options.
Beth was invited to come speak in West Tisbury, as the town is currently involved in a discussion about what, if anything, needs to be done at the Mill Pond in the center of town. The Mill Pond was created over a century ago when the brook was dammed to create waterpower for milling. Every few decades, Mill Pond becomes choked with sediment and townspeople are considering dredging the pond and maybe other options. Recent bathymetry studies of the pond show that while there are some deeper pockets (up to 7′), some areas of the pond are 18″ deep. The average thickness of unconsolidated sediment/organic muck in the pond is 2.8′. While there are some townspeople who want to dredge the pond, and maintain the historical aesthetic of the pond, there are a growing number of townspeople who want to learn more about what effects these man made impoundments have on water temperature, water quality, and connectivity for fish, including salter brook trout, river herring, American eel, and brook lamprey. All of these species are known to occur in Mill Brook.
Beth’s talk was the first in a series of conversations the town is having in order to learn more about all of the management options, including stream restoration
Between river restoration and salt marsh restoration projects, MA DER is responsible for over 75 projects in the state in 2010.
Here we present the full video of her presentation.
Video shared with permission from Beth Lambert, MA DER
Check out their website:
https://www.mass.gov/dfwele/der/index.htm
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Thanks go to Prudy Burt and the West Tisbury Library for hosting this event.
Videotape (C) Thomas Mayhew Productions, 2010
Mr. Hopper traveled to West Tisbury at the invitation of Prudy Burt, who has embarked on a campaign to place stream restoration, at least that portion that created Mill Pond, on the table next to dredging as an option town residents might consider. Doing so, she said, would eliminate the cost of maintaining the pond and dam and would open Mill Brook to brook trout, white perch, herring, and American eels.