River Initiatives
Volunteers are Our Eyes on the Water
Our rivers and brooks continue to become cleaner and healthier, but stormwater runoff and wastewater discharge from the Salem Sound watershed still affect river input to Salem Sound. Salem Sound Coastwatch works with volunteers and municipalities to identify and remediate problems as they are discovered.
Stream Surveys: Sawmill Brook and its Tributaries
Salem Sound Coastwatch has partnered with the Manchester Coastal Stream Team (MCST), a town committee, since its inception in 1995 when a group of concerned residents joined us to conduct the 1997 Sawmill Brook Survey, using protocols developed by the MA Riverways Adopt-A-Stream Program.
Sawmill Brook and its two tributaries – Cat and Causeway Brooks – drain more than half of Manchester’s land. Surveys identify problems that might be affecting water quality or aquatic habitats. Results from the stream surveys are discussed, and actions are prioritized. To name just a few of the actions taken, MCST have worked on improving passage of rainbow smelt upstream to their spawning area, removed invasives plants along the river, and installed signs to build awareness of the many streams in Manchester.
Training session recording (10/6/21)
The Sawmill Brook Survey was repeated in 2009 and most recently in 2021. Volunteers are trained in what to observe as they walk along the stream.
Stream Surveys: North River and its Tributaries
Salem Sound Coastwatch’s goal has always been to improve the North River and its tributaries so that they once again become natural amenities that improve the communities’ quality of life – no longer only considered hazards to be ignored or buried underground. The 2006 report “Nurturing the Recovery of the North River: A Practical Vision” began the process of reaffirming the river.
With the assistance of MA Riverways in 2007, we recruited volunteers for ten stream teams that conducted “Shoreline Surveys” of the North River and three of its tributaries. Stream teams reviewed all the findings and discussed actions.
From 2003-2009, Salem Sound Coastwatch held an annual North River Awareness Week. After a lapse, this awareness week returned in 2022 and 2023. Join us to learn more and appreciate the river.
Fish Habitat Restoration
Both the North River and Sawmill Brook are spawning grounds for the rainbow smelt. Smelt habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in both Manchester and on the Salem/Peabody line in the past. Other important species, such as American eels and sea brook trout, can be found in our rivers. Salem Sound Coastwatch is always looking for opportunities with volunteers and municipalities to improve these habitats.
Reducing Pollution Entering Our Rivers and Brooks
Salem Sound Coastwatch relies on residents to let us know when they see something unusual. Recently, one of our volunteers called to report her surprise at seeing the Forest River green. Upon further investigation, SSCW identified it to be an algal bloom and reported it to Salem’s Department of Public Services. Their examination of the sewer infrastructure in the area led to the relining of sewer lines from Vinnin Square to Salem State University. The algal bloom has not returned since this was completed. With our Clean Beaches & Streams Water Quality Program, we continue to monitor bacterial levels including in Beverly’s Lawrence Brook and Danvers’ Frost Fish Brook. Along Salem’s Commercial Street, Salem Sound Coastwatch worked with the City to obtain funding, design, and construct a series of rain gardens along the North River. These rain gardens absorb pollutants as they are washed off the street by rain and snow, intercepting them before they reach the river. When the tidal river overflows its banks, the gardens slow the flooding of the street.
Floodplain and Riverbank Remediation
The Peabody-Salem North River Multiuse Path, Resilient North River Project along Harmony Grove Road is an example of the two cities’ collaboration. Salem Sound Coastwatch is pleased to be a part of this project. When completed, the river will be an amenity, and the path separated from the road by a vegetated buffer will allow people to see the most natural section of the river and the wildlife it supports. Bank stabilization using nature-based solutions is a priority for Salem Sound Coastwatch.
EPA’s Creese and Cook Tanner Superfund Site Cleanup (estimated at $24 million) is a significant improvement for the river, its habitats, and the people who live along the Crane River. EPA excavated contaminated soil from several properties — in both unpaved and paved areas — located on the east and west sides of the river and then re-vegetated the areas covered with clean soil. Most of the contaminated soil was consolidated and covered with a protective cap at 55 Clinton Ave, while a limited amount was disposed off-site at a hazardous waste landfill.
