Blackstone River Watershed Association
Blackstone River Watershed Association
In This Issue
BRWA NEWS

BRWA Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Event

A Perfect Paddle

BRWA Supports Rain Gardens

Happy Birthday to a Blackstone Friend!

BRWA Lends a Hand to Alternatives Partner

CALENDAR

THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL

Blackstone Partners Celebrate River's Ongoing Restoration

Vernal Musings

Pond Map Updating

MY BLACKSTONE

Picnicking at the Gorge

BE GREEN

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind.

REFLECTIONS


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Issue 56 September 2015

BRWA NEWS

HOLD THE DATE: BRWA Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Event

Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 8, 1-4:30 pm at the South Grafton Community House for a special event not to be missed. In addition to holding our annual meeting, we are pleased to have Gene Bernat give a presentation and tour of the Living Systems Lab at Fisherville in Grafton. This is cutting-edge stuff! We'll be providing more information closer to the date.

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A Perfect Paddle

The BRWA hosted its first annual "Day on the Blackstone" on June 6th. Over 30 participants paddled canoes and kayaks down the Blackstone River from Stanley Woolen Mill in Uxbridge to the Blackstone Gorge while National Park Service Ranger Chuck Arning did a phenomenal job pointing out historic landmarks including canal and lock remnants during paddle breaks. It was clear to participants that the best way to really see the river is to paddle it. One paddler called it "stunningly beautiful from that perspective".
paddlers on the river at the Day on the Blackstone 2015

A hearty thank you to the following partners who made this memorable event possible: Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. for providing shuttle service, the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club for serving as a great guide and for providing safety support, and to MA DCR's Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park team - Val, Jodie, Bill, and Kathryn, and especially Ranger Chuck Arning! Everyone had a great time, the BRWA welcomed some new members, and all agreed that this is definitely an event to repeat next year! For more pictures, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thebrwa.
group of paddlers after arriving at Blackstone Gorge

The day alternated between gentle rides and more challenging sections due, in part, to recent rains that created strong current. At the Millville rapids, people had the option to run the rapids or skirt around them. Those who ran it found it exciting and despite a few 'dunks', the overall experience made the trip unique and worthwhile. The fleet of boaters was tight knit, supporting each other with a strong camaraderie. Everyone celebrated the journey's end with pizza and drinks.

See you next June for our next "Day on the Blackstone”!

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BRWA Supports Rain Gardens
By Pieter DeJong, BRWA Board Member

A rain garden is a shallow, planted depression that catches stormwater runoff from impervious urban areas including roofs, driveways, and parking lots. The water can be held up to 24 hours while being absorbed in the ground. These structures reduce the amount of runoff that would otherwise flow into storm drains and surface waters, thereby reducing erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater resources.
Photo by: Pieter DeJong
Worcester rain garden

Over the past few years, as part of its education and outreach initiative, the BRWA has been actively promoting the use of rain gardens for single family homes, businesses, and public lands including State parks and schools in the middle reaches of the Blackstone River. Rain gardens are an effective, low-cost tool for improving water quality throughout the Blackstone River watershed. They also encourage wildlife and biodiversity, as well as tie together buildings, parking areas and their surrounding environments in attractive and environmentally advantageous ways.

On June 14th, Pieter de Jong, BRWA Board Member, assisted the Blackstone River Coalition (BRC) and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in planting a rain garden at Regatta Point Park along the Lake Quinsigmond shoreline in Worcester. This rain garden was initially designed to take stormwater runoff from a large parking lot and channel it through the rain garden before discharging the treated runoff to the lake. Peter Coffin, BRC Coordinator, and Peter Hinrichs, a landscape architect and educator who designed the rain garden, coordinated the planting event along with a number of volunteers.

According to Coffin,
  • "What started out as a simple rain garden to catch the runoff of a quarter acre grass lawn turned into a significant bio-retention basin which treats one half acre of parking lot runoff that previously ran straight into Lake Quinsigamond. The DCR is to be commended for enhancing a relatively small project in a key location. By bringing flow from existing catch basins in the parking through the rain garden, water quality will be significantly improved before it flows into the lake. When signage is installed later this year, thousands of people will witness the benefits of infiltrating stormwater runoff into the ground."

The BRWA is also working with the BRC to seek grant funding support to design and ultimately construct a rain garden at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center in Uxbridge, part of the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. The engineering design for the infiltration basin would provide water quality benefits for runoff currently draining directly into the Blackstone Canal from the parking lot and adjacent road. In addition to capturing the first one-half inch of runoff for its water quality benefit, the project would involve a landscape design to include: landscape and wetland plantings; a walkable berm and deck overlooking the infiltration basin, and a redesigned dock. Interpretive signage would be used to promote the importance of water quality best management practices (BMPs) at this highly visible location in the watershed.

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Happy Birthday to a Blackstone Friend!
By Michelle Walsh, BRWA Board Member

On Sunday, June 14th the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park celebrated its 20th anniversary at the River Bend Visitor Center in Uxbridge. Festivities during the day included a guided canal walk led by Val Stegemoen who has since retired from his position as Park Manager (see our retrospective in the next issue of the BRWA e-newsletter). Other fun events that day included a hay wagon ride courtesy of Ironshoe Farm, a Heritage scavenger hunt, and craft tables including one with corn dolls. The BRWA staffed an outreach table with information on invasive plants and more.
Hayride at the Blackstone River and CanalHeritage State Park 20th anniversary

Visitors could explore the upper level of the Voss Barn and see the exhibit “Following the Plough,” which explores the story of the Blackstone Valley from farming to factory. This was followed by a concert featuring the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band. An estimated 250 people attended the Blackstone anniversary.

River Bend Farm Visitor’s Center, located at 287 Oak Street, offers walking and hiking paths, canoe and kayak access, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. In addition, the park staff offers interpretive tours, special programs, and summer concerts. For more information, go to the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park website.

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BRWA Lends a Hand to Alternatives Partner
By JoAnne Holahan, BRWA President

May 30th was a fantastic day to support one of the BRWA's wonderful partners. We were happy to celebrate and participate in Alternatives Unlimited’s 30th Annual Valley Friendship Tour. The fun event was our chance to raise funds for Alternatives as well as for the BRWA. The BRWA team included Tara Neal, Maggie and Jim Plasse, and JoAnne Holahan. Energized by gorgeous weather, camaraderie, music and food, they participated in the 5K Walk/Run raising a total of $1060. The first $625 will be used to fund essential programs at Alternatives and the remaining $435 is offered back to the BRWA in support of our work.
The BRWA team (left to right): Tara Neal, JoAnne Holahan, and Maggie and Jim Plasse.
The BRWA team: Tara Neal, JoAnne Holahan, and Maggie and Jim Plasse

For many years Alternatives has been an exceptional partner with the BRWA, collaborating with the organization, development, and funding of events like the annual Earth Day Cleanup and most recently the very successful Family Fun Fishing Day and A Day Along the Blackstone.

The Valley Friendship Tour is Alternatives’ signature fundraising event. This fundraising allows them to purchase the furnishings and special equipment that enable the people they serve to have a real home in the community; find and train dedicated volunteers; and implement critical health and wellness initiatives. Funds raised from the Tour make a difference in the lives of over 2,000 people with disabilities across Central Massachusetts each year.

The BRWA was proud to provide a team in support of the good work of our partner but we want to go even bigger next year. Please join the BRWA team in 2016 for the 31st Valley Friendship Tour!

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September is National Honey Month. Time to celebrate the mighty honey bee and to consider planting native flowers that will support these zoological heros. Bees are attracted to blue, white, yellow, and purple colored flowers. Interested in learning more? Contact the MA Beekeepers Association at http://www.massbee.org/ or the Worcester County Beekeepers Association at http://worcestercountybeekeepers.com.

Sundays through October. Blackstone Valley Riverboat Explorer. Free tours every fourth Sunday, free environmental education tours every fourth Saturday, and special cruises including the Sunrise/Sunset cruises and clambcakes and chowder Culinaria event. Website

9/19 Geocaching Workshop. Blackstone River Watershed Council. noon - 3:00 pm. Environmental Center- Sycamore Landing 100 New River Road, Manville, RI . $25/boat.   info
9/19 Waters Farm Tour. Blackstone Heritage Corridor GO! Program. 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Waters Rd., Sutton.   info
9/20 Blackstone Paddle Club at the Blackstone Gorge. Trip suitable for all experience levels and boat lengths. Info at stonefoxfarm@juno.com or 401-647-5887.  
9/27 Full Moon Paddle. Blackstone River Watershed Council. 7:30 pm. Environmental Center- Sycamore Landing 100 New River Road, Manville, RI . $25/boat.   info
10/3 Cycle Blackstone 4-Hr Guided Bike Tour. Lincoln to Woonsocket. Meet at Museum of Work and Culture, Woonsocket, RI. Suitable for all fitness levels.   info
10/3 Water Quality Exhibit @ Waters Farm Fall Festival. Manchaug Lake Association. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Waters Rd., Sutton
10/10 Water Quality Monitoring. BRC Volunteer WQM Program: Midreach Team. 9:00 a.m. - noon. Sample drop off at Tri-Rivers Family Health Center. 281 East Hartford Avenue, Uxbridge.
10/17 Cycle Blackstone 4-Hr Guided Bike Tour. Burrillville. Meet at Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library 100 Tinkham Rd Harrisville, Rhode Island. Suitable for all fitness levels.   info
10/22 BRWA Board Meeting. 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 287 Oak St., Uxbridge.   info
11/8 BRWA Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Event. 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. South Grafton Community House, Rt 122 A (Main Street). Gene Bernat will give a presentation and tour for the Living System Lab at Fisherville.
( www.facebook.com/livingsystemslab) Non members welcome (small fee).  

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THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL

Blackstone Partners Celebrate River's Ongoing Restoration
Congressman James McGovern headlined a panel of government speakers on Sunday, July 26th that were gathered at the scenic Blackstone Gorge State Park in Blackstone, MA to help the Blackstone River Coalition (BRC) celebrate the many successes of its "Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone". Addressing a crowd of 75 river advocates, McGovern stressed the value of working together to promote sound land use throughout the Blackstone River watershed. He emphasized that a healthy Blackstone is great for families and for our economy, expressing his confidence that the economy will grow again through our collective protection of this natural resource, just as it did during the industrial revolution when the river's power was harnessed for mills and factories.
The Watershed Model, a component of the BRWA "Watershed and Us" education program, demonstrated by (left to right) Board Member Pieter DeJong, President Joanne Holahan and Program Coordinator Susan Thomas.
Watershed Model demonstrated by BRWA

Matthew Sisk, Deputy Commissioner for the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation began his remarks to the crowd by identifying himself as a member of Trout Unlimited, a Scout, and an avid Outdoorsman. He touted the role his agency has played in both combatting invasive Asian water chestnut in Rice City Pond in Uxbridge, MA and serving as a national model in developing the Blackstone Greenway, which, when completed, will connect Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge and Worcester to Woonsocket, Providence and Pawtucket, all the way to the Narragansett Bay.

Lisa Primiano, Chief of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management’s Planning and Development Division, spoke of the great value of voluntary efforts to round out limited state and federal resources as we all embark on an exciting new chapter of the Blackstone's restoration. She said RIDEM hopes to be back in the short term to celebrate some new accomplishments.

Meghan Kish, the Superintendent for the newly created Blackstone Valley National Park, which includes the river and its tributaries, stated, “although the final park boundaries are not known, the river is the backbone of the National Park and it's an incredible opportunity that has been handed to us to create a new model for incorporating a river into a national park”.

The speaking portion of Sunday's Celebration finished with Charlene Cutler, Executive Director of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. She announced the Corridor's "GO!" Program, slated for the month of September, which will offer the public 109 opportunities to explore the Blackstone Valley including biking, paddling, hiking, and much more. The "GO!" Program is being promoted as an economic tool to connect people with many vibrant businesses throughout the 25 communities in the Valley.

Tom Bik of the Metacomet Land Trust and Blackstone Selectman Bob Dubois each addressed the crowd at the start of the Celebration event explaining how the bi-state park at the Blackstone Gorge was made possible through the vision and dedicated efforts of the Land Trust and towns to protect this unique resource from development. Tom offered guided hikes of the trails that run along the river leading to breathtaking views of the dramatic hemlock-wooded cliffs.

Also participating in Sunday's Celebration were Mass Audubon, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Blackstone Headwaters Coalition, Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone, Save the Bay, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, RiverzEdge Arts, Worcester Tree Initiative and The Greenway Challenge. These grassroots organizations provided educational materials as well as fun kid activities. Wonderful, river-based music was provided by William Monroe & Lee Aver, while Cumberland-based Seaside Johnny’s made delicious food available to all.
The BRWA booth manned by Board Secretary and Past-President Jim Plasse.
Watershed Model demonstrated by BRWA

Peter Coffin, BRC Coordinator, captivated the crowd with a historical journey on the Blackstone utilizing a 50' mural of the river and its tributaries crafted by Riverzedge Arts in Woonsocket and laid out along the Gorge's boat ramp. He wove together a story of fish and people, dams and factories, conservation and water quality, showing everyone that the Blackstone's ongoing restoration will always require an understanding and appreciation of how this mighty river has existed over the centuries.


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Vernal Musings
Primarily thought of as a springtime event, vernal pools are fascinating systems to study year round. Here are two resources to go to if you want to learn more about the frogs, salamanders, invertebrates and more that call vernal pools home for part of the year. One is the Vernal Pool Listserv, which you can read about at http://www.vernalpool.org/listserv.html. It is moderated by the MA Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program and by the Vernal Pool Association. It's a great place to post questions and sightings. Another resource is a blog entitled Life in Shallow Waters (http://daphnia.wordpress.com/) written by Steve Schwartz.

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Pond Map Updating
The MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is currently updating its pond maps that were originally developed 60-70 years ago using simple sonar readings. Today, with advanced (and time saving) GPS technology and statistical programs, ponds including Lake Singletary in Millbury/Sutton and Pratt Pond in Upton are being remapped. Depth information will be greatly improved for these maps that will be available in color and will provide current access locations. View maps at http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/maps-destinations/state-pond-maps.html.

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MY BLACKSTONE

Picnicking at the Gorge
By Michelle Walsh, BRWA Board Member

One sunny September afternoon last year after school was out, I packed a picnic and took my daughters to the Blackstone Gorge. The summer would soon be turning into fall and I wanted to make the most out of the remaining days. Driving through the thickly settled neighborhoods in Blackstone, we arrived at the parking lot for the Gorge and all the hustle and bustle of life was quickly left behind. Located on Country Road off of Route 122 in Blackstone, the Gorge is a part of the Blackstone River system. This particular area has a lot to offer because of its natural beauty, untouched landscape, wooded trails, and boating opportunities.

We unloaded the picnic from the car and sat at our favorite spot right below the dam named “Rolling Dam.” This is where flat rocks are just elevated enough so that you can see the serene waters in the pond above the dam, and where the white water crashes over the rocks and boulders below. Just sitting there listening to the noisy rush of water and the beauty of our surroundings is so relaxing. In recent years, the boat ramp area has been improved and many people come to kayak or canoe in the pond area or venture further upstream.

We finished our snack and headed to the gorge below to wade in its cool waters. Here, we took our time climbing over the rocks because they can be very slippery, but it was so much fun that we forgot! My oldest daughter fell into the shallow water but no harm was done. After a while, we took a break and sat on the flattest rock we could find to see if there was any sign of life in the little pools of stranded water. Just a few water bugs skimming along the surface. Along the steep river bank, there is an abundance of tall trees that block much of the sunlight creating shadowy patterns on the water that makes it feel that much cooler. We waded over to the riverbank and decided to walk back along the wooded trail that parallels the river’s edge, passing by two people relaxing in their camp chairs. Packing up our picnic lunch, we vowed to come back again very soon.


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BE GREEN

recycle symbol enveloping planet Earth The Answer is Blowing in the Wind.
We all want to reduce our energy usage. A common tip is to make your electric dryer more efficient by cleaning out the lint trap on a regular basis. But we can take this one step better. Hang your laundry out on the line during these warm summer months. If you don't want the look of permanent structure, all you need are two trees or other sturdy posts and a strong rope. And don't forget the clothespins. Autumn may turn colder and less sunny, but the increased winds will compensate, so don't be in a hurry to put away those clothespins when you turn your calendar to September or even October.

clothes drying on a line.

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REFLECTIONS

“It is not half so important to know as to feel.” Rachel Carson
A dry river bed in the Kruger Park © val Odendaal www.valodendaalart.net
A dry river bed in the Kruger Park.  The Kudu bull is surveying
      his territory,while a Batelier eagle soars overhead.

Although this painting depicts a river in Africa, we in New England are still able to grasp the extreme dryness. Viewing it evokes a sense of thirst and hopefully a moment of reflection on the need for protecting water quantity in our own Blackstone River watershed. We should all show as much concern for how much water is taken out of our tributaries and main stem by public and private users as we do for the potential pollutants that are put into the watershed.

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Views & opinions expressed in linked websites do not necessarily state or reflect those of the BRWA.

Your input is crucial to this eNewsletter. If you have a local watershed-related story, information of interest to our subscribers, or comments about this publication, drop an email to the editor.

The Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA) has a mission to engage, educate, and advocate for improved water quality in the Blackstone River Watershed; its objectives are to:
  • Engage the public in watershed stewardship activities,
  • Educate members, supporters, and residents on watershed protection strategies, and
  • Advocate to local residents, community leaders, non-profit partners, and state regulators to take actions that will help to ensure our waterways continue to provide healthy habitat and enjoyable recreational opportunities.
The BRWA eNewsletter is published monthly by the Blackstone River Watershed Association. BRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Editor: Susan Thomas susan.thomas@thebrwa.org
Mailing address: BRWA, 271 Oak Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
Phone: 508-278-5200  Web: www.thebrwa.org

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