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*N Water Resources Development US Army Corps of Engineers in Massachusetts 1987 New England Division ONE NORAC CENTER _~~~ ........ 30, Tif1C 424~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-~f m44 W67 1 988 .3~~~~~~E ON THE COVER: Plum Island Beach in Newbury (top left) is a popular summer recreational area, since it was completed in September 1965, Littleville Lake (top right) in Huntington and Chester has preventedflood damages of $50 million; Boston Harbor is the largest seaport in New England and the principal distributingpoint for regional commerce. The work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Massachusetts 1987 This booklet presents a brief description of water resource projects completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Massachusetts. It describes the role of the Corps in planning and building water resource improve- ments and explains the procedure leading to the authoriza- tion of such projects. For ease of reference, the material is arranged according to the type of project, i.e. flood damage reduction, naviga- tion, or shore and bank protection. There is also a refer- ence at the end of the booklet that lists Corps' projects by community. A map showing the location of all Corps projects in the state is provided on the underleaf of this page. The Corps of Engineers water resources development program exerts a significant impact on Massachusetts' physical, economic, and social environment. This publica- tion affords citizens the opportunity to learn about the var- ious projects and to determine how they can participate in decisions regarding present and future activities. For further information, call the Corps of Engineers at 617-647-8777, or write: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England Division Public Affairs Office 424 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02254 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE US Army Corps CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413 of Engineers New England Division This publication is authorized -~ ,%?by the Secretary of the Army as required by PL 99-662. rroperty of CSC Library ROCKPORT HARBOR AND PIGEON COVE GLOUCESTER HARBOR AND ANNISOUAM RIVER - ( - - - DUXBU~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ITROP HARBOR FLOOD DA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MAE REDUTO NA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RVIGCTW ARBOR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCITUAE HARDBANOROETN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HM HARBO ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HDEPRMN OFTEARYCPSOENINERH.NWEGANDDVISIN WALHAM MASS. US Army Corps of Engineers Ne Egan DvsinLeaders in Customer Care Our nation's water resource program, as well as our Constitution, may well have been born on the banks of the Potomac River in the 1780s out of a disagreement between Virginia and Maryland. Both states claimed jurisdiction over navigation on the Potomac and Pokemoke Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Under the Articles of Confederation, the Continental Congress did not have the power to resolve the dispute and regulate commerce. Fortunately, the states decided to meet and settle the matter A convention was held at Mount Vernon in 1785, and again in Annapolis in 1786. Out of those two meetings grew the belief that a strong central government was needed. At the very least, the Articles of Confederation needed to be amended. The convention attendees petitioned Congress in February 1787 and the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia that May. Thus, in celebrating the bicentennial of the United States Constitution this year, we are, in a way, celebrating the birth of our water resources program. The program encompasses port and river navigation improvements, flood damage reduction, beach erosion control; hydro- power generation, water storage, development regulation in wetlands, and recreation. In all, the Corps manages almost 2000 water resource projects across the nation. It does this in cooperation with local interests and other federal agencies. This year, the Corps has the additional challenges of the projects authorized by Public Law 99-662, the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. This act lays the foundation for water resources development for generations to come. This booklet is one of a series detailing water resources programs in the 50 states and U.S. possessions. I hope you find it interesting and useful. E.R. HEIBERG Ill Lieutenant General, USA Chief of Engineers Enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 provides our nation with a framework for water resources development until well into the 21st century. The law has made numerous changes in the way potential new projects are studied, evaluated, and funded. The major change is that non federal cost sharing is specified for most Corps water resources projects. A new partnership now exists between the Federal Government and non federal inter- ests that affords the latter a key role in project planning and allows the Federal Government to spread its resources over more water projects than would have been possible before. With the passage of this law, the federal water resources program is in better shape than at any time in the past 16 years. The law authorizes over 260 new projects for inland navigation, harbor improvement, flood control, and shore protection-with additional benefits in water supply, hydropower, and recreation. I hope this booklet gives you a glimpse of the extent, variety, and importance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resources development activities in your state. JOHNS. DOYLE, JR. Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) The Corps at a glance Flood Damage Reduction The Corps builds dams, hurricane protection barriers, and other structures that save lives and limit damage caused by floods. Nonstructural measures, such as floodproofing and wetland preservation, are also considered. Navigation In order to facilitate commercial trade and local commerce, the Corps maintains and improves the depths of harbors, rivers, and various waterways. Share and Bank Protection Corps' projects retard erosion by restoring shores and beaches damaged by wind and water and stabilizing river- banks weakened by flooding. Hydroelectric Power As an alternative to nuclear power and oil-related energy sources, the Corps operates hydroelectric power plants at several of its flood control dams. Natural Resources Management At each of its darn and reservoir sites, the Corps protects woodlands and lakes that serve as important habitats for fish and wildlife. Many of these projects also provide the public with opportunities to enjoy swimming, hiking, camp- ing, and other recreational activities. Emergency Response and Recovery When disaster strikes, the Corps stands ready to supple- ment state efforts by mobilizing its resources to provide quick and timely disaster relief assistance. Other Programs and Services The Corps controls aquatic plants that hinder navigation, ensures that water at its reservoirs meet stringent criteria, and lends its water resource expertise to state govern- ments. More recently, the Corps has teamed up with the EPA to clean up hazardous wastes. Table of Contents Page No. Page No. A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers B. Description of Projects . ....44 Programs and Services. .....1 I. RIVER BASINS ..............45 1.INTRODUCTION .. . ...........2 Connecticut...............46 Scope.. . ...............2 Housatonic...............47 Roots.. . ...............2 Thames ................48 Today's Corps ...............3Merrimack ...............49 PoetFormulation.. . .........4 Blackstone ...............50 EnvronmentalCmimn ...... Charles.................51 Environmental Commitment . 6 ~~~~~Neponset................52 I.FLOODING IN NEW ENGLAND . . . ...8 Hudson.................53 III. FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION......16 1FLODAGERUCIN.....5 Structural and Nonstructural Measures . 16 Dams and Reservoirs ..........57 Floodplain Management Services. ....16 Reservoir Control Center.........18 Barre Falls Dam in Barre .........58 Birch Hill Dam in Royalston ........60 IV NAVIGATION... .............22 Buffumville Lake in Chariton........62 Conant Brook Dam in Monson ......64 V SHORE AND BANK PROTECTION . ...25 East Brimfield Lake in Sturbridge .....66 Shore Protection .... ........25 Hodges VilIlage Dam in Oxford.......68 Bank Protection.... .........27 Knightville Dam in Huntington.......70 Littleville Lake in Huntington and Chester. 72 VI. HYDROELECTRIC POWER.... ....29 Tully Lake in Royalston..........74 West Hill Dam in Uxbridge ........76 VII. CONTINUING AUTHORITIES PROGRAM ~~Westville Lake in Southbridge and V1. O N I N I N ATHRIIE POGAMSturbridge ...............78 (SMALL PROJECTS)............30 Hurricane Protection Barrier ......81 VIII. NATURAL RESOURCESNeBefr..............8 MANAGEMENT.3....................83 Fish and Wildlife.............32 Recreation ...............32 Page No. Recreation at Corps' Dams (Pictorial). ...34 IX. EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND Local Protection Projects........85 RECOVERY ... . ............36 Adams.................86 Disaster Preparedness..........36 Blackstone River, Blackstone .......88 Emergency Operations.... ......36 Bound Brook, Scituate..........90 Contaminated Water/Drought Assistance. 38 Canton.................92 Charles River Dam............94 X. OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. 39 Charles River Natural Valley Storage. ...96 Water Quality Control Program . ... ..39 Chicopee................98 Water Resource Planning Assistance to Chicopee Falls.............100 States ... . ...........39 Gardner................102 Aquatic Plant Control... . .......39 Haverhill................104 Permits Program ............40 Hayward Creek, Quincy and Braintree ..106 Corps/EFA Wastewater Treatment Holyoke and Springdale.........108 Construction Grants Program. ....40 Housatonic River, Pittsfield........110 Hazardous Waste ............41 Little River Dike, Westfield........112 Lowell.................114 North Adams..............116 Page No. Page No. North Nashua River, Fitchburg ......118 Sesuit Harbor .............164 Northampton..............120 Stage Harbor, Chatham .........164 Riverdale, West Springfield .......122 Taunton River .............164 Saxonville...............124 Vineyard Haven Harbor .........164 Smelt Brook, Weymouth and Braintree. 126 Wareham Harbor............165 Springfield...............128 Wellfleet Harbor ............165 Three Rivers, Palmer ..........130 Westport River.............166 Ware ..... ............132 Weymouth Back River..........166 West Springfield ............134 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers. ....167 West Warren..............136 Winthrop Harbor ............168 Worcester...............138 Woods Hole Channel ..........168 III. NAVIGATION .... ...........140 IV SHORE AND BANK PROTECTION....170 Alford.................172 Andrews River..... ........142 Amesbury...............172 Beverly Harbor.............142 Blackstone River, Millbury........172 Boston Harbor.............142 Clark Point Beach............172 Buttermilk Bay.............144 Covered Bridge, Housatonic River Canapitsit Channel ...........144 (Sheffield) .............173 Cape Cod Canal ............144 Housatonic River, Sheffield........174 Cohasset Harbor............148 Huntington...............174 Cross Rip Shoals............148 Island Avenue, Quincy..........174 Cuttyhunk Harbor ..... ......149 Lee..................174 Dorchester Bay and Neponset River ...149 North Nashua River, Lancaster......177 Duxbury Harbor ............150 North Scituate Beach..........177 Edgartown Harbor ...........150 Oak Bluffs Town Beach .........177 Essex River ..............150 Plum Island Beach ...........177 Fall River Harbor ............150 Plymouth Town Beach..........178 Falmouth Harbor ............151 Quincy Shore Beach ..........178 Gloucester Harbor and Revere Beach .............178 Annisquamn River............151 South River, Conway ..........179 Green Harbor .............153 Wessagussett Beach..........179 Hingham Harbor ............153 West Branch, Westfield River Hyannis Harbor.............153 (Huntington)............179 Ipswich River..............154 Winthrop Beach ............180 Island End River ............154 Kingston Harbor ............154 Lagoon Pond..............154 Little Harbor, Woods Hole ........155 C. Studies . .................181 Lynn Harbor ..............155 Maiden River..............156 Menemnsha Creek............156 FodDmg euto Merrimack River.1.....................t156 Mystic River ..............156 Housatonic River Basin .........182 Nantucket Harbor............157 Knightville Dam and Westfield .....182 New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor. ...158 Massachusetts Hurricane Evacuation.' 182 Newburyport Harbor ..........158 Riverdale, West Springfield .......182 Plymouth Harbor............158 SiktRvrMehnadLwece..18 Pollock Rip Shoals ...........159 . . . e ie; ehe n Lwec 8 Provincetown Harbor ..........159 Town Brook ..............182 Rockport Harbor and Pigeon Cove. ...160 Saugus River and Tributaries.......183 Salem Harbor .............162 Roughans Point ............183 Sandy Bay...............162 Point of Pines..............183 Scituate Harbor ............163 Page No. Navigation Boston Harbor.............183 Gloucester Harbor ...........183 Merrimack River ............183 Nantucket Harbor............184 Saugus River..............184 Shore Protection Hull..................184 Revere Beach .............184 D. Appendix................185 I. COMMUNITIES WITH CORPS' PROJECTS................186 II. GLOSSARY................190 III. INDEX...................192 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Programs and Services 1 Introduction Scope designed earthwork on Breed's Hill that proved practically The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a major role in invulnerable to British cannon. The British eventually took developing and managing our country's water resources. the hill (later called the Battle of Bunker Hill) when the Corps projects reduce flood damage, facilitate navigation in pater called t he Battle of unpowder but at a cost in casualties rivers and harbors, protect streambanks and the coastline, reater thany other engagement of the war generate hydroelectric power, provide outdoor recreational greater than any other eng agement of the war ertaties ad conserve and safeguard the environ- Gridley was to play other critical roles in the early days of opportunities, and conserve and safeguard the environ- the Revolution. On the evening of March 4,1776, Gridley, ment. The water resource activities conducted by the along with 2000 men and 360 oxcarts loaded with Corps are as diverse as the needs of the public they serve. along wit h 2000 materials, moved into Dorchester Heights. By This publication examines the role and responsibilities of daylight, two strong protective barriers looked down at the the Corps in: British. An astonished General Howe, commander of the � Flood Damage Reduction British forces, reportedly remarked that the Americans had �*Shore Navigank Protection done more in one night than his entire army would have * Shore and Bank Protection done in six months. Exposed to the American batteries on Natural R esou rces Management Dorchester Heights and not strong enough to fight Wash- Naturalgency Resources Managd Recovery ington's troops in other parts of Boston, the British army and fleet departed Boston on March 17, never again to occupy Massachusetts. Most of the pre-Revolutionary War engineers in this The Corps traces its history back to April 26, 1775, seven country were British. Recognizing a need for American days after the first shots of the American Revolution were engineers to provide the expertise needed by a growing fired at Lexington, Massachusetts. Recognizing that the nation, Congress provided for a Corps of Cadets in 1802 to need for military engineering skill would be important in the be educated at West Point, New York. This became the first war with England, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress engineering school in America and is now the United States appointed Boston native Richard Gridley to the rank of Military Academy. Colonel and chief engineer of the troops being raised in the From the ranks of these first cadets came the Army engi- colony neers that explored the west; improved canals, waterways, In the early morning hours of June 17, 1775, Gridley, work- and harbors; and built lighthouses, roads, bridges, and rail- ing under the cover of darkness, constructed a well- ways for rapidly expanding territories. Under the direction of Colonel Richard Gridley: American patriots worked dili- gentlv throughout the early morning hours of June 17 1775, designing a stout earthworkfbrtification that helpedpro- tect American soldiersfrom British can- nonade in the historic Battle of Bunker Hill. In the Battle ofBunker Hill, June 17 1775, the British lost more men than in any other encounter ofthe Revolution- . ary War The strategic defenses built by b Colonel Richard Gridley and his men were instrumental in keeping American fatalities to a minimum. Today's Corps ness. The military and civil (nonmilitary) works missions of The foresight and innovative spirit of the Corps' earliest the Corps complement each other, allowing our engineers days have served the public interest and contributed to to develop in peacetime the skills the nation would need in America's rapid ascent to world leadership. Today, the a defense mobilization or other national emergency. Corps' civil works activities add to our quality of life and There are 13 Corps division offices worldwide, 12 of support our nation in many ways. In addition to water which are located in the U.S., including one in New England. resource projects built both in America and abroad, such as Civilian employees account for 98 percent of the Corps' the Panama Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Corps civil works staff, with military officers and noncommis- has constructed NASA facilities and provided military engi- sioned officers making up the remainder. The Corps' New neering support for our nation's allies. The Corps provides England Division oversees a wide variety of engineering our armed forces with modern facilities to strengthen the and construction activities in the six-state region (Western country's defensive capability and ensure combat readi- Vermont falls under the jurisdiction of the Corps' North In August 1914, Army engineers-suc- ceeding where two previous attempts failed-completed construction ofthe Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Construction ofthe canalg locks, dams, andpiers, shown above, was an astounding engineering feat, and the canal stands today as a monument to the determination and skill ofthe Corps. 3 Army engineers contributed to both ,/~ (tE1~~~~~~ ~planning and construction ofour nation's capital. When the Capitol Build- ing had to be reconstructed in 1857 the Corps built two new wings and rede- signed the dome with cast and wrought iron. The completed dome, which weighed almost nine million pounds, was used by' President Abraham Lincoln problem, such apduring the Civil War as a symbol ofhis intention to preserve the Union. Atlantic Division). New England has 6100 miles of coastline planning with the nonfederal sponsors, such as the local or and 19 principal river basins that lie entirely or partially state government or other public entity When cost-sharing within its borders. Although it represents only two percent agreements are finalized, a Definite Project Report, which of the nation's land area, New England contains nearly five describes the recommended solution and includes an eval- percent (12 million) of the population. Its water resource uation of the project's expected impacts, is prepared. After needs reflect the diverse priorities of both urban and rural appropriate review from federal and state officials, non- residents, and its four-season climate presents a wide vari- federal sponsors, and other public agencies, and approval ety of water resource challenges. by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, a project can then be designed and constructed. All small Project Formulation projects are planned, designed, and constructed under the There are several systematic steps involved in the imple- mentation of every Corps of Engineers project. Local citi- zens or agencies normally first identify a water resource problem, such as persistent flooding or the need to improve a harbor They contact the Corps or their congressional There are several steps involved in the construction of representative to discuss the problem. Upon receiving the Corps'projects, as illustrated on the following page. After citi- request, Corps engineers will make a field visit to the area zens identify a water resourceproble, such aspersistent and verify the need. From this field visit and evaluation of flooding one), they contact the Corps ofEngineers (two and otherinformation, pha e Corpsfinn determine whether the flooding (one), they contact the Corps of Engineers (two and o ther information, the Corps can determine whether the three). Corps'officials then verify the need by visiting the problem warrants Corps' participation and can be affected area (four), and determine ifthe problem warrants addressed with a small project, which does not require spe- Corps'involvement (five). Ifso, the Corps conducts a recon- cific congressional authorization, or a large project, which naissance study (six), which examines a wide range ofpoten- must receive specific congressional authorization and tial solutions, then releases thosefindings to the public appropriation of funds. (seven). Cost-sharing agreements for further planning are For a small project, the Corps will first conduct a recon- arranged with the nonfederal sponsors (eight). At this point, a naissance study. This study examines a wide range of Definite Project Report, which recommends a specific solu- potential solutions, each of which is reviewed for its eco- tion, is prepared (nine). Afterthe report is reviewed and nomic andth engineering practicalityomplete, acceoand approved by all appropriate officials (ten), a project can then impact on the fenvi ronm ent. Once ompleted, the pbrcon- be designed and constructed (eleven). Corps' work stands as naissance phase findings are released to the public. The testimony to its theme, "Leaders in Customer Care"(twelve). Corps then arranges cost-sharing agreements for further 4 '-1 f... ' eSAP3ok V V if iKi. 4 5 6 1T/f\�- 72 7 A.), ) 2 '-I-- i'I 9 10 .�'S \ C C ) ______ - - v.- W5TOME ---, .cJ �KV -p CAf UP - ---,..- 4- Q -- 12 5 rated into all phases of project development. The Corps of Engineers encourages full participation by the people and their elected officials and is committed to Now England Division an open planning process. The Corps can only reach sound conclusions on the best use of water resources with the US Army, active involvement and strong support of the public, and Corps of Engineers takes pride in its theme for the 1980s, "Leaders in Cus- tomer Care." MAI N E Environmental Commitment The Corps maintains a strong commitment to our envi- VERMO T ronment. It strives for a proper balance between develop- / f \\J v , F ting projects and conserving our country's natural (,.' it �resources in its search for the best possible solution to a l J X ~ > water resource need. ' 11W ;i ATLANTIC OCEAN RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT If a larger and more comprehensive project is warranted, a congressional resolution must first be obtained. This res- olution authorizes the Corps to study and resolve the water resources problem. Congress then appropriates the funds required for the Corps to conduct a reconnaissance study. The rest of the planning process is similar to that of smaller projects. Construction of large projects, however, must beE SA A specifically authorized by Congress. For all projects, large and small, the anticipated benefits must outweigh the economic and environmental costs of their implementation. The construction costs of all projects are shared between the federal government and non- federal sponsor, based on the project's purpose. Many projects designed and constructed by the Corps are turned over to munic ipalities or states for operation and maintenance. A fundamental and vital part in the planning of all projects is public involvement. Public input often helps gen- erate useful information and comment from local and state officials and other interested parties, such as fishermen, environmental organizations, and civic groups. In New England, the "town meeting" tradition is much in evidence The crest oftheArmy Corps ofEngineers. The olive through lively citizen involvement. The public has many branch, held in the eagle's right claw, connotes the peaceful opportunities to review and comment on Corps' project nature of the Corps' mission and its concern for the environ- recommendations. Meetings, conferences, forums, and ment. The arrows, held in the left claw indicate the Corps' informal workshops are held with the public throughout the readiness to defend the nation. The oak branch, lower right, planning period. The concerns and expectations of the stands for fortitude. The Corps' motto, "Essayons," means public and possible solutions are discussed and incorpo- '"Let Us Try." 6 In this regard, the Corps conducts its civil works program in full compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. This law encourages a productive and enjoyable harmony between people and their environment and the understanding of how ecological systems and nat- ural resources enrich our nation. The Corps upholds the spirit of NEPA with established planning principles, quality engineering standards, and professional operating procedures. Concern for the integrity of the environment begins at the planning stage. All studies of proposed projects, as well as alternative plans, include an Environmental Assessment, which examines the impacts each potential solution may have on the environment. If the effects of a project on the areas ecology are expected to be significant, a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement may be pre- pared. All practical options and alternatives, including mea- sures that preclude construction, are considered from the outset in selecting a solution that best resolves the water Baker Cove in Groton, Connecticut, is a wetland that resources problem while protecting the quality of the envi- h ouses se veralI diferen t form s of life. Befiore b uilding a p ro - ronment. If the construction of a water resource project is posed project in a given area, the Corps looks closely at the the Corps' recommended option, the facility is carefully effects such a project may have on the environment and sur- planned to minimize environmental damage. Consideration rounding wetlands. The Corps considers all options, includ- is given toward blending a project's features with the sur- ing those that preclude development, in finding a solution to rounding natural and man-made landscape. a water resources pro blem. - ..~~~~~~~~~~~~ Flooding in New England Rain. So important for the sustainment of life, rain enhances all living things. When it first begins to rain, the terrain absorbs the precipitation. Rivers and streams welcome rainfall's replenishing value. Yet too much rain can be destructive. The saturated ground soon overflows. Rivers and streams, peaceful only days earlier, become swift-moving torrents. Cities and towns along the riverbanks fall victim to the onrushing water, which destroys everything in its path-auto- mobiles, bridges, property, lives. Hurri- canes can cause similar destruction, producing turbulent winds and heavy rains that lift the sea to a dangerous height several feet above normal. New England has a long history of 10)7 Floodwaters swirl around homes and trees in this Vermont flooding. Through the years it has been 1927 community during the November 1927flood. The storm claimed 21 hit with various storms that have lives and caused $29.3 million in property damage. caused millions of dollars in damages. Some of the more destructive hurri- canes and floods the area has experi- enced since 1900 occurred in November 1927; March 1936; Sep- tember 1938; September 1954; and August 1955. However, some of the highest flood levels in New England his- tory occurred in April 1987 and gave many Corps dams their most serious test since they were built. Despite hav- ing six dams channel excess water through their emergency spillways because their reservoir capacity had been reached, the 35 dams under the jurisdiction of the Corps' New England Division held back billions of gallons of water that otherwise would have caused severe flooding downstream. The amount of water held back by these dams from this heavy rainfall was equivalent to a reservoir that could put the entire state of Rhode Island under more than one foot of water Damages prevented by Corps flood control projects during the April 1987 storm amounted to $474 million. the followdamages inflicte by thg pages depict storms 1936 The rampaging waters ofthe North Nashua River ripped through the the damages inflicted by these stdowntown area ofFitchburg, Massachusetts, during the March 1936 and explain why the Corps actively pur- flood, taking with it homes, automobiles, and commercial and sues its responsibilities to reduce flood industrialproperty Eleven lives were lostfrom thisflood and damages damage. were estimated at $66.4 million. 8 1936 Waters from the Connecticut River surround the Hartford South Meadows Power Station (center) and cover much ofHartford, Connecticut, during the March 1936flood. The spring floods of 1936 brought widespread disasterfrom Maine to Maryland and helped mold political and public opinion that culminated in the Flood ControlAct of 1936, which recognized the proper involvement ofthefederal government in flood control. (Copyright 1936 The Hartford Courant). 1938 The heavy rains of the September 1938 hurricane caused the Contoocook River toflood a section of East Jaffrey, New Hampshire. This storm, with its 121 m.ph. gusts, < i > took the lives ofeight people in New England ._ :: and caused damages of . $48.6 million (about $740 million in todays dollars). - 1954 Hurricane Carol, which - ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~struck the New England coast in August 1954, caused damages estimated at $186 million ($685 million in today s dollars). The storm achieved its greatest fury in a band stretchingfrom New London, Connecticut to the Cape Cod Canal. All that remains ofthe Rhode Island Yacht Club (above) in the Pawtuxet Neck it~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~section of Warwick, Rhode Island, is a cradle ofpiles after the structure was destroyed by Carols high winds and waves. (Copyright 1954 The Providence Journal Company) C <...A section qfProvidence 5'- ' lies under waterfrom the rains of Hurricane Carol. 10 1954 WThe call 'all ashore" was taken literally at the Quonset NavalAir Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, when Hurricane Carol whisked this air-sea rescue boat out of the water and on to Quonset Highway in August 1954. (Copyright 1954 The Providence Journal Company.) The Blackstone River overflows its banks andfloods several businesses and homes in Pawtucket, Rhode Island 1955 as a result ofthe heavy rains ofHurricane Diane in August 1955. 11 12 No natural disaster in New England history compares with the devastation caused by the sudden and torrential rainfall which accompanied Hurricane Diane in August 1955. The disaster killed 90 people and caused almost $458 million (about $1.82 billion in todays dollars) in property damage throughout the six-state region. In Connecticut alone, Dianes floodwaters killed 47 people and caused damages totalling about $370 million (about $1.3 billion in todays dollars). The rains of Hurricane Dianefell on ground already saturated by the rains ofHurricane Connie one week earlier One of the communities that sustained heavy damage was Winsted, Connecticut. The waters ofthe Mad River overflowed its banks and roared through Main Street (top photo, opposite page), uprootingfoundations and flooding homes and businesses. When thefloodwaters receded, the devastation became apparent (bottom photo). Main Street had become a pile of rubble, cluttered with debris rippedfrom its understructure. The storm alsoforced hundreds ofNew Englanders to evacuate their homes, including a Connecticut woman (above) who was dramatically rescuedfrom ravagingfloodwaters. (Copyright 1955 The Hartford Courant). Only two months later, as Connecticut was getting back on itsfeet, another severeflood disrupted rehabilitation measures and caused losses estimated at $6.5 million. In response to these major floods, the Corps built several dams and local protection projects that, in a recurrence of the August 1955flood today would prevent damages of$1.04 billion. 13 on ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 4 14 1955 As thesephotosfrom August 1955 demonstrate, floodwaters pose a powerful threat to property and lives. On the opposite page: (Top) Waterfrom the Quinebaug River pours over the Pomfret Street Bridge in Putnam, Connecticut during the height ofthe storm. (Center) This Southbridge, Massachusetts home was toppled when thefloodwaters ofthe Quinebaug River weakened itsfoundation. Note the overturned automobile on the left; its only identifiable remains are its tires. (Bottom) The roofs ofautomobiles seem tofloat like lilypads in this Weymouth, Massachusetts parking lot. (Above) Floodwatersfrom the Blackstone River roar through Webster Square in Worcester Massachusetts. (Right) The Metal Sellings plant in Putnam, Connecticut, which hadbeen constructed only a short time before the 1955flood, collapsed whenfloodwaters from the Quinebaug River washed away its underpinnings. 15 Flood Damage Reduction Structural and Nonstructural Measures and maintained by local communities, except for the navigation gates at the barriers in New Bedford, Mas- Water covers most of our planet, defines our boundaries, sachusetts, and Stamford, Connecticut, which are washes our shores, and dots our countryside. It's as corn- s mon as the afternoon thunderstorm and the puddle under operated by the Corps. foot. Our country has been blessed with abundant water flood protection to specific communities. Unlike resources that help feed our people, transport our goods, flood protect ion t o specific communities. Unlike generate power, and provide recreational opportunities. Yet dams, which protect wide regions of a state, a local protection project helps safeguard the residential, as life-sustaining and enhancing as water is, its destructive protection project helps safeguard the residential, potential is enormous and tragic. commercial, and industrial areas of a particular city or potential is enormous and tragic. town from flood damage. Local protection projects Flooding is part of the natural hydrologic cycle of the town from flood damage. Local protection project s often consist of earthen dikes and concrete flood- earth. Excess precipitation, such as driving rainstorms or a walls that confine floodwaters to a river channel. combination of excessive rainfall and melting snow, can Conduits, or diversion tunnels that divert floodwaters transform streams into swollen rivers. The violent winds Conduits, or diversion tunnels that divert floodwaters around or under potential flood damage sites, can and heavy rains of hurricanes can whip oceans and lakes around or under potential flood damage sites, can into furies that devastate the shoreline. In the 1930s, parts also be part of a local protection project Other works that can be part of a local protection project of the U.S. experienced disastrous floods that caused loss w orks that can be part of a local protection project of life, damaged property, and disrupted transportation includ e pumping stations, which pump floodwat ers systems. Recognizing that the federal government should through or over a dike or floodwa into the river, and channel modification, which deepens, widens, and/or help state and local governments find solutions to serious flood problems, Congress called on the Corps in 1936 to realigns a iver channel to improv e w ater flow and increase capacity. Local protection projects are oper- establish a policy on controlling floodwaters. Today proce- dures taken by the Corps to limit flood damages are known ated and maintained by local communities. as its Flood Damage Reduction Policy. Corps' Flood Damage Reduction works, while There is no flood-free season in New England. Melting costing about $23 billion nationwide, are credited snows abetted by rainfall can cause problems in winter and with preventing damages of more than $150 billion- early spring. Hurricanes can occur during summer and fall, almost $7 in damages prevented for every $1 spent. and coastal storms can wreak havoc at any time. The In New England, Corps' projects have cost about Corps' Flood Damage Reduction Program is aimed at $482 million while preventing flood damages of reducing the effects of floods, thereby limiting flood almost $2.3 billion. (Descriptions of Flood Damage damage. Reduction projects in Massachusetts begin on The Corps has built several different types of structures page 54). designed to reduce flooding in commercial and residential Corps-operated works, such as dams and hurri- areas. These include: cane protection barriers, are managed, operated, � Dams-barriers, usually consisting of earthfill (sand and maintained in accordance with high professional and clay) covered with rock, that are constructed standards. All Corps' works, including local protec- across a river or stream to impound water or create a tion projects, are regularly inspected by Corps engi- reservoir. Dams temporarily hold back excess water neers for signs of structural weakness or distress. to relieve swollen downstream waterways of further While structural works provide many flood control potential flooding, then gradually release the stored benefits, they are not the only solution in some cases. water after the flood crest has passed. Reservoirs Many times a nonstructural measure is the best can also be used for other purposes, such as water approach to a flood problem. Nonstructural mea- supply, hydropower, conservation, boating, and other sures include: recreation. Since 1935, the Corps has built 38 darns in New England, and presently operates and main- tains 31. Nationwide, the Corps has constructed over The Corps built several projects in response to the severe 600 dams, with about 400 of these having flood flooding caused by Hurricane Carol in September 1954 (The control as their primary purpose. Boston Post), and extremely heavy rainfall from Hurricane * Hurricane Protection Barriers-earthfill structures Diane in August 1955 (Boston Sunday Herald). Hurricane covered with rock, built across harbors or parallel to Diane had already been declassified as a hurricane when it the shoreline, that protect the coast from tidal surges struck New England, but its drenching rains caused the most and coastal storm flooding. They are sometimes con- severe flooding in New England history. Corps structures, structed with openings for navigation and recre- such as dams, hurricaneprotection barriers, andlocalpro- ational purposes. The Corps has constructed five tection projects, help reduce the disastrous effects offloods by hurricane barriers in New England. All are operated saving lives and limitingproperty damage. 16 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY NEW ENGLAND DIVISION, CORPS OF ENGINEERS 424 TRAPELO ROAD WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02254-9149 August 1988 Public Affairs Office Enclosed is the 1987 Water Resources Development in Massachusetts booklet that describes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resource projects and activities in the state. These encompass flood damage reduction, navigation, and shore and bank protection work. If you would like additional copies of this booklet, call us at 617-647-8777, or write: Public Affairs Office U.S.. Army Corps of Engineers 424 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02254-9149 Please inform us if the name and/or address of your agency or company is incorrect. Other comments and suggestions are appreciated. Sincerely, Warren E. tlordman Chief, Public Affairs Enclosure TODAY'S THOUGHT Fair T'1IYOWT CSr WEDNESDOY, SEPTEMBR1 94 sIE CE-R 100 Mile an Hour Hurricane Ravages N. Es Score Missing --- Thousands Left Homeless Hundreds of Beach Cottages Swept Away fly BEN GRAY Ne- England -oote 35 dead and .orreyed a tagrgerg $50.0O,OSO0O property I... by wind. flod sod fire lot eight after the horiao .. pa...ed leaing tragedy nod sha-bles in its s-1ise It -othegaet trperytosi the i.- State art by a ho~rricoor L.., of lif. as for he. low the hori-ne of Sept. 21, 1938, bot domtge Id-fon Carat-no tohed by thr rtr b-ata -esrd .ith lip to tI80-.Hl-a-hour lolod. fr.. Loog bloodg ...04 to till C.-odi.. border. '-0 -.--..- n ~~~~~~~~~~It. teat of dtrstese.o nod dr-mtti.o toy haviy a (Oth-r -~rio stoie ..d plrors0 Page 2, 3. 4, 9, 7. A8, 9o, ts 5.gis. Winds, Flood and Fire Wreak Havoc on Cape 1-11 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~0 -d10,, -,110 Oflel N-l,, 1,0ns, H~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ie lot,,H ifd550bll~ol,,1, 90'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ssd,i oi-t 014.1111,,sl Rever Wrckage, INO.5 AEC DT HuriAn 6ak -300111,0 50 BOSTON1, SUDA,0k00soesOtoe AUGUS 210, 1,1 , 01955ON HUNDRE EHtY PAGE TWENTY0 CENTS0 D 70 M~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O~ore Feared L ostS ,in CII onn,1 500, ,11. HoroltrO l.* ,f 100 ags- esatOc Byllt on yokeJ 37 44;0 IX', 61ge 2,2 VO.hCiX, t O. 524 LA IY EIOI i-WO BSO.SNA.UGTC,155NEUNRD EIGHYPAE ,ill~O.TET CET 57l i N- ig.E. WED-SOE MISSIg'tdNG 70 More Feared Lost in Conn. Horror,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~di5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-Ike Lit Stat Amon DIIate Areas0ih Resor Probems ~ ~ i,. -~Servces Rsh1n � Wetland Preservation-this involves the acquisition of implement floodplain regulations. However, if the Corps has wetlands by the federal government to prevent constructed flood control works in that community, the development. Wetland preservation eliminates adoption and enforcement of zoning regulations may be potential long-term flooding problems, thereby pre- required to achieve expected flood reduction benefits. serving the wetlands' environmental and water Under the Floodplain Management Services Program, retention values. the Corps can: � Floodproofing-lessens the potential for flood dam- a Survey and map the floodplain; age in existing and planned buildings. For example, a Assist cities and towns in preparing floodplain regu- existing structurally sound buildings could have their lations and flood emergency plans; basement windows blocked, reducing the likelihood � Provide architectural, engineering, and other techni- for damage. New structures can be built on elevated cal assistance for the floodproofing of buildings, foundations, allowing floodwaters to pass below. structures, or properties located on the floodplain; � Emergency Evacuation-provides for the temporary � Assist states in developing hurricane evacuation evacuation of people and movable goods from the plans for densely populated coastal areas; and floodplain to safer ground. This measure is usually � Provide information on flood-related issues, such as accompanied by flood warnings issued by the the effects urbanization may have on rivers and National Weather Service or local governments, streams. � Permanent Evacuation-permanently removes struc- The Corps also provides available hydrological informa- tures, buildings, and other damageable properties tion, such as previous flood levels of the floodplain, to pri- from the floodplain. The vacated property could then vate organizations and individuals upon request. Those be used for parking, recreation, or other open space who may find this information valuable include engineering purposes compatible with the flood risk. firms, real estate agencies, and residential and industrial The Corps considers both structural and nonstructural developers. measures when developing plans for flood damage The purpose of the Floodplain Management Services reduction. Program is not to discourage development on the flood- plain, but rather to encourage the most appropriate use of Floodplain Management Services flood-prone areas. Floods will cause damage as long as people claim land that has historically belonged to streams New England rivers, lakes, and streams sometimes over- and rivers. By managing development of the floodplain, flow their banks and spill their waters into adjacent low- fewer lives and less property are exposed to the flood risk, lyingarea. Thse aras, nownas te flodplan, a e anfewer lives and less property are exposed to the flood risk, lying areas. These areas, known as the floodplain, are an thereby decreasing the social and economic costs of flood integral part of a river system. They are reserve areas damage. carved out by the river itself to hold surplus water-nature's safety valve for the discharge and overflow of its streams Reservoir Control Center and channels. Flooding in these riverine and coastal loca- tions caused little damage until they were developed and As a flood situation develops, considerable judgement occupied by industrial, commercial, and residential inter- and experience are required to efficiently manage Corps ests. When development occurs on the floodplain, there is dams and reservoirs. Weather conditions, reservoir stor- a risk that the river will reclaim its right of passage, damag- age capacity, and the flood levels of rivers are important ing roads, buildings, homes, and posing threats to life. factors when operating dams that maximize the protection Flood-prone communities across the U.S. have learned of downstream communities and minimize flood damage. the lesson that flood protection works alone are not the The nature of New England weather requires the region's answer to flood problems. As part of its flood damage dams and reservoirs be professionally managed by trained reduction efforts, the Corps encourages the wise use and engineers and hydrologists. These skilled technicians, management of floodplains through proper planning. This using sophisticated communications equipment, form an support is called the Floodplain Management Services integral part of the Corps' flood control efforts known as Program. the Reservoir Control Center (RCC). Through the Floodplain Management Services Program, The RCC is located at the Corps' New England head- the Corps uses its technical expertise in water resource quarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. From this site, Corps planning to furnish state and local officials with floodplain engineers closely monitor precipitation, river levels, and information. This data helps a community enact floodplain tidal levels in New England. The state-of-the-art communi- zoning regulations, which limit new construction on the cations equipment used by RCC personnel is comple- floodplain and regulate the use of floodplain lands. For mented by the Geostationary Operational Environmental example, lowlands stretching along a riverbank that may Satellite (GOES) System. The GOES system serves as a seem ideal for high density development might be best communication link for the relay of hydrologic and meteoro- used as a park, golf course, or for other open space pur- logical data. Information from about 50 data collection plat- poses. The decision on floodplain usage rests with each forms at key locations along rivers, streams, and other community. The Corps cannot require local interests to bodies of water is relayed to a stationary satellite, which 18 Thefloodplain These photos demonstrate reasons why development on the floodplain is unwise. The top photo shows the undevelopedflood- plain ofthe Quinnipiac River in North Haven, Connecticut. The river can be clearly defined, with the adjacent low-lying areas inundated with water The bottom photo shows the developedfloodplain ofthe Concord River in Bedford, Massachusetts, after the heavy rains and snowmelt ofMarch 1968. The house was eventually bought by the state five years later and removed. 19 transmits this data by radio signal to the RCC. Engineers The GOES network, or the New England Division Sat- then examine and analyze this hydrologic information for ellite System (NEDSAT), plays a key role in helping the potential flood conditions. This data indicates when to Corps reduceflood damage. About 50 data collection open or close flood control gates and when to release platforms (DCPs) are situated on various rivers and stored floodwaters from reservoirs once downstream flood streams throughout thefive New England states (opposite conditions have receded. During flood emergency periods, page) where the Corps has dams and hurricane protection additional information is obtained by telephone, teletype, barriers. Hydrologic and meteorological data from these and radio from field personnel and other agencies, such as DCPs are relayed to a satellite stationed above the earth the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological (top photo). The satellite then transmits this information Survey. by radio signal to the Corps'Reservoir Control Center in The Reservoir Control Center has helped minimize or Waltham, Massachusetts. The data tell Corps' engineers prevent severe and damaging floods in many New England when to open or close thefloodgates of Corps' dams and communities. The Corps is proud of its commitment to pro- hurricane protection barriers, thus limiting damage to vide the public with improved flood protection through the communities downstream. The GOES system also pro- professional management of its dams and hurricane vides the national weather maps displayed by local TV protection barriers. weathermen during theirforecasts. 20 IN TERNATIONAL BOUNDARY NEDSAT: '/ � ,0 , [8 A network of remote, data collection platforms (DCP's) in five major river basins, which report hydrologic data, * 55 fj such as water level and rainfall, from s: :(; important index stations on rivers and streams. All DCP'sshown by dots on z . 'NH the map, sense water data and transmit it by radio to NOAA's Geostationary VT I WELLS RIVER Operational Environmental Satellite WOODSTOCK (GOES). It is relayed back to Earth, and ) 0 I is received at the satellite ground -RUMNEY SCAMPTON station at NED Headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. There it is used for * PLYMOUTH WEST HARTFORD � LEBANON timely and effective operation of flood WEST LEBANON * FRANKLIN control projects. * BRISTOL RIVER HILL � � SOUCOOK I NORTH WALPOLE * CONCORD GOFFSTOWN KEENE GOFFS FALLS PETERBOROUGH - \~~ ~SOUHEGAN * * LOWELL WEST DEERFIELD �*MONTAGUE CITY EAST LOWELL C PEPPERELL ~~~~~/ .H. - N~~~~~KEW ENGLAND / MA * BARRE DIAnION Ili 'I i HEADQUARTERS * GIBBS CROSSING WALTHIM WESTFIELD � � INDIAN ORCHARD * NORTHBRIDGE -- THOMPSONVILLE a WEBSTER HALL WOONSOCKET MEADOW * MAD RIVER DAM I VSO B��ERASNCHT �SIMSBURY PUTNAM * a.. I UNIONVILLE HARTFORD SIAC NORTHFIELD T O WILLIMANTIC D A T BROOK 00THOMASTON 0 BLACKaHANCOCK BROOK *AJEWETT CITY Ri ROCK � WATERBURY a HOP BROOK Cb �BEACON FALLS SCT *STEVENSON STAMFORD NEW ENGLAND DIVISION NEDSAT GOES SATELLITE SCALE IN MILES RANDOM REPORTING DATA I �_2 i30 40 COLLECTION SYSTEM REVISED 4/86 21 Navigation Since colonial times, harbors and rivers have played tain areas to provide safe channels, harbors, and important roles in the nation's settlement, defense struc- mooring basins for commercial and recreational ture, and industrial growth. Today along with air, rail, and vessels. These can include: truck transportation, the waterways of the United States -Anchorages. These are areas dredged to certain provide a vital link in our country's commercial trade chain. depths allowing boats and ships to moor or anchor Channels, canals, and intracoastal seaways provide an effi- -Breakwaters. Usually built offshore, breakwaters cient and economical means of moving cargo within the protect harbors, channels, anchorages, and the U.S. and to and from foreign nations. The Corps develops, shoreline by intercepting the energy of approaching maintains, and improves these waterways as part of its waves. navigational responsibilities. -Jetties. These structures stabilize a channel by pre- venting the buildup of sediment and directing and Improvements of U.S. navigable waters are intended tovetnthbulpofsdetaddicigad Improvements of U.S. navigable waters are intended to confining the channel's tidal flow. Jetties are usually promote industrial production, develop and expand water- built at the mouth of rivers and extend perpendicular borne commerce, facilitate the harvest of seafood, reduce b l the m navigational difficulties and hazards, and meet the require- from the shore. ments of recreational boating. Federal interest in navigation -Training Dikes. Extending from r iverbanks or estuarine shores into the water, training dikes re- improvements stems from the Commerce Clause of the direct the current, preventing sediment from settling Constitution and from subsequent decisions of the U.S. and ensuring that adequate depths are maitined. Supreme Court. Congress first assigned the Corps theanesuigttadqteepharmitie. Supreme Court. Congress first assigned the Corps the � Monitoring and maintaining the dimensions of federal responsibility for improving rivers and harbors for naviga- - Motornmntining td s sfed r tion in 1824. Today, U.S. commercial waterways are one of waterway s t o ens ure continuing vessel safety con- the world's most extensive navigational systems, covering sistent with the needs of user traffic. �Removing obstructions, such as sunken vessels or over 25,000 miles and linking about 350 Corps-maintained snags, that endanger general navigation. ports and harbors, including more than 160 harbors and sas htedne eea aiain ports and harbors, including more than 160 harbors and Navigational improvements must be made in the public ~11 major ports in New England. interest and be equally accessible and available to every- Navigational activities undertaken by the Corps include: one. Feedback from individuals, harbormasters, and port � Constructing major harbors and enlarging river chan- authorities regarding activities in federal channels is always nels to meet the requirements of commercial welcomed. All reported navigational hazards and obstruc- shipping. tions are investigated and removed, if warranted. The � Developing canals, harbors for small boats, and Corps also reviews statistics on the use of New England other inland waterways to meet the needs of com- ports to identify areas that may need maintenance or mercial and recreational navigation. improvement. (Descriptions of Corps' Navigation projects � Building water-related structures and dredging cer- in Massachusetts begin on page 140). One ofthe Corps'navigational respon- sibilities is to ensure that the dimensions ofriver channels and harbors, such as Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport, Con- necticut, continually meet the require- ments ofmarine interests. 22 Jetties help provide safe channels for commercial and recreational vessels. Thejetties at Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, Massachusetts, also help pre- vent the buildup of sediment in the chan- nel by directing and confining the tidal fiow The Corps develops harbors, like Camden Harbor in Camden, Maine, for small boats to meet the needs of com- mercial and recreational navigation. 23 VIM"~~~~~~~~~~~ ~The three breakwaters (above) at New Haven Harbor in New Haven, Connecti- cut, help protect the harbor (left)from storm-driven winds and waves. 24 Shore and Bank Protection Shore Protection * ~~~~Groins. They extend perpendicular from the shore in The shoreline is where land and ocean meet. Its charm a fingerlike manner to trap and retain sand, thereby attracts a growing number of people every year who enjoy retarding erosion and maintaining shore alignment its recreational value. The greatest concentration of New and stability England's population exists along or near the coastline, and a Jetties. Usually built at the mouth of rivers and the preservation of the region's shores and beaches is extending perpendicular from the shore, jetties are essential to the healthy growth of its economy. New designed to prevent channel shoaling by directing England's 6100 miles of coastline are recognized as one of and confining stream or tidal flows. its most valuable resources. - Sand Replenishment or Beach Nourishment. Quanti- However, water and wind can erode the shoreline which, ties of sand placed on the shoreline widen and if not checked, can cause serious damage. Corps' shore restore beach areas and retard the ocean's inland protection works help protect shores and restore beaches advance. Sand replenishment helps protect the eroded by storm-driven waves. backshore by moving the high waterline further away The Corps'work in shore protection began in 1930, when from the shore, and the enlarged beach areas add to Congress directed it to study ways to reduce erosion along recreational enjoyment. U.S. seacoasts and the Great Lakes. Recommendation for - Seawalls. Built along a shoreline, seawallIs protect federal participation is based on shore ownership, use, and the land against erosion, flooding, and other dam- benefits derived. If there is no public use or benefit, Corps' ages due to wave action. Seawalls are constructed participation is not recommended. Maintenance of the of various materials, including reinforced concrete. restored shore is a nonfedleral responsibility. - Training Walls. These are built along channel banks to The Corps of Engineers uses both structural and non- narrow the channel area, thereby accelerating the structural methods to control shore erosion. These include: velocity of the water's flow and preventing the WII Groins help preserve New England'sfragile shores and beaches that are subject to strong winds and waves. These Corps-built groins, at Clark Point in New Bedford, Massachusetts, retard erosion and help to maintain the stability of the shore. 25 This shore protection project at Oakland Beach in Warwick, Rhode Island, is a good example of Jhow Corps' works help pro- tect shores and restore beaches. Sand replenishment, which widened and restored the two beach areas on the far left andfar right, slows the ocean 's inland advance. Thefour groins maintain shore alignment by trapping and retaining sand. The stone revetment, in the center of the photograph between two groins, retards erosion. Seawalls protect the shoreline against erosion andflooding. At Merriconeag Sound in Harpswell, Maine, storm cur- rents were eroding the shoreline and 6, threatened to wash away a 19th century burialground when the Corps built this 270-foot-long seawall to stem the erosion process and protect the valued historical site. 26 The retai~~~~~~~nin-alo h oeagRvri oduy Connectiu (lf)i aeo g b o -o wr ehbsesidwt stoe.Th rgh pot sowsgaio i cosr etil buildup of sediment. Bank Protection~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I lnstm.The rooshl etainexsing sand can thNoeakgRier inWobrCneticu (let Is maeogbon otre s cauing aeeshrasktsfled ero- dpsits.Vgttonsaiies Teroingh areshoto sionadweaenn thirabiltton hol bckloosaersdti. expoedgoiectwaveation. Pantd beachreass n terlns Lk the shRelnilniverbanks and streambanks waee yeoinps soil's infiltration rate. Like sand replenishment, vege- threats to adjacent land and structures. tation enhances the symmetry and splendor of the When this occurs, the Corps can help threatened public landscape and provides stability to backshore areas. property by strengthening these banks, thereby stabilizing By protecting the backshore, shore protection works nearby roads and highways. Because work of this nature enhance property values and reduce or prevent the loss of does not require major study, the Corps' can act under Sec- historic or scenic aspects of the environment. The Corps tion 14 (Emergency Streambank or Shoreline Protection) of has constructed 33 shore protection projects along New its Continuing Authorities Program and construct small England's 345 miles of publicly owned beaches. projects that expedite relief to weakened riverbanks. Sec- One f th maor cncers o theCorp isthe reseva-tion 14 also strengthens coastal areas weakened by wind tion and management of natural shoreline areas, such as Strctre wul yteCrstatpoectsremak coastal marshes and dunes. These areas form a first line of S trctures:ul yteCrsta rtc temak defense, dissipating the energy of the breaking waves and * eaningWals.Cntuctdofsne,:enfre reducing the flooding effects of storm-driven waves and conRetaiin preals. Constreted bofkstn, oregabfonwred tieadbr rcaltaintanngpoer.cloia mesh baskets filled with stone), retaining walls sup- balance. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~port streambanks weakened by erosion. While erosion is principally caused by natural elements * Revetments. A facing of stone or concrete, a revet- such as wind and water, its rate and severity can be intensi- ment is constructed along the bank or the shoreline fied by heavy use and unwise development. Pedestrian and to protect against erosion and flooding. vehicular traffic can also contribute to the destruction of * Stone Slope Protection. A layer of large stones, shoreline defenses by destroying vegetation, degrading usually underlain by a layer of gravel bedding, stone dunes, and weakening bluffs and banks. Groins, jetties, slope protection is designed to prevent erosion from and other structures, while protecting the shoreline, can streamflow, wave attack, and runoff. sometimes interrupt natural shoreline processes, such as - Bulkheads. Made of timber or steel sheet piling, bulk- sediment transport. Corps' shore protection works restore heads prevent sliding of the land and protect the eroded shores and preserve the natural beauty of our stream bank or shoreline from erosion. coastal areas. (Descriptions of Corps' Shore and Bank More information about Section 14 and the Continuing Protection projects in Massachusetts begin on page 170). Authorities Program is available on page 30. 27 Retaining walls, like this one made of precast concrete blocks on the Salmon River in Colchester, Connecticut, support streambanks and riverbanks weakened by erosion. Stone slope protection, a layer of large stones usually underlain by a layer of gravel bedding, reduces erosionfrom streamflow and waves. The stone slope protection on the Housatonic River in '9 r Salisburv: Connecticut, strengthens a 350ho-t reach of the riverbank and sta- bilizes the roadwayv The timber bulkhead at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield, Connecticut, prevents sliding of the land and protects the bankfrom erosion. 28 Hydroelectric Power As the population of the United States increases, so Most hydropower facilities at Corps' projects today are does its need for electric power Because dependence on developed by nonfederal interests without Corps' assis- foreign oil contributes to economic uncertainty, alternative tance. The Corps becomes involved with planning, con- sources of power are being sought both in the U.S. and structing, and operating hydropower projects only when it abroad. One of the nation's most reliable energy alterna- is impractical for nonfederal interests. In New England, the tives is hydroelectric power-electricity produced by flow- Corps does not operate any hydroelectric power facilities, ing water As the nation's primary agency for water but there are five hydroelectric power plants at Corps flood resources development and management, the Army Corps control dams which are owned and operated by nonfederal of Engineers plays a significant role in meeting the nation's interests. These plants are located in: power needs by operating hydroelectric power plants at -North Hartland, Vermont, about 500 feet downstream a number of its large, multipurpose dams throughout the of the North Hartland Lake Dam. This facility produces 4 country. megawatts of power All power generated at this plant is In a series of laws and resolutions dating back to 1909, used by the Vermont Electric Cooperative or is sold to other Congress has directed the Corps to give consideration to utilities. the various uses of water, including hydroelectric power, -Quechee, Vermont, 2.5 miles upstream of the North when planning darns and reservoirs. Today, the Corps of Hartland Lake Dam and within the reservoir area. Built on Engineers owns and operates 71 hydropower plants Corps land, this plant produces 1.8 megawatts. Power is nationwide that help provide hydroelectric power to sold to the Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. industry and consumers. These plants, located on Corps -Franklin, New Hampshire, on Salmon Brook. Built on project sites developed for flood control or other purposes, Corps land within the Franklin Falls reservoir, this facility generate approximately 90 million megawatt hours worth produces 0.2 megawatts of power Power is sold to the of electricity every year To produce the same amount of Public Service Company of New Hampshire. electricity using alternative sources of energy, it would -Bristol, New Hampshire, on the Newfound River This require 150 million barrels of oil, 900 billion cubic feet of nat- plant produces 1.5 megawatts and lies on private property ural gas, or 44 million tons of coal. Corps' hydropower but within the Franklin Falls reservoir area. Power is sold to energy production was equivalent to the output of almost the Public Service Company of New Hampshire. 16 average-sized nuclear power plants. The Corps of Engi- -Colebrook, Connecticut, at the Colebrook River Lake neers is the nation's single largest generator of hydroelec- Dam. This facility will begin producing 3.3 megawatts of tric power, producing 30 percent of all hydropower in the power sometime in 1988. The power will be sold to the U.S. This figure represents four percent of all U.S. electric Connecticut Light and Power Company. energy. Although the Corps does not presently operate any hy'droelectricpowerplants in New England, there are five hydro - power plants located at Corps flood con - trol projects in the region that are owned and operated by non federal interests. The North Hartland hydropower facility in North Hartland, Vermont, located 500 feet downstream of the Corps-operated North Hartland Lake Dam, is one such. facility. 29 Continuing Authorities Program (Small Projects) Many large and comprehensive projects built by the * Snagging and Clearing for Navigation (Section 3)- Corps require both congressional approval and appropria- permits the clearing and removal of obstructions tion of funds. However, the Corps can plan, design, con- from rivers, harbors, and other waterways when in struct, and maintain smaller projects without specific con- the interest of navigation. gressional authorization. This allows the Corps to provide a * Mitigation and Prevention of Shore Damage due to more rapid response to certain local flood control, naviga- Federal Navigation Projects (Section 111)-provides tion, and erosion problems. The design and construction of for the construction of facilities that minimize shore- small projects fall under the Corps' Continuing Authorities line damages caused by existing federal navigational Program. works, such as breakwaters, jetties, or groins. Small projects must constitute complete solutions in themselves and not commit the Corps to any additional improvement to ensure successful operation. As with con- gressionally authorized projects, small projects must be economically justified and environmentally acceptable. Construction costs are shared with state or local govern- ments according to the purpose of the project. There is a federal cost limitation to all small project construction. Small projects are constructed by the Corps for the following purposes: * Flood Control (Section 205)-permits the construc- tion of small flood damage reduction projects. Pro- posed projects must not have been previously autho- rized by Congress. Both structural and nonstructural measures are considered. * Navigation (Section 107)-allows for the construction of small navigation improvement projects. These projects can benefit commercial interests and/or pro- vide recreational opportunities. * Emergency Streambank or Shoreline Protection (Sec- tion 14)-permits the construction of emergency streambank or shoreline protection works that help prevent damage to highways, bridges, public works, churches, hospitals, schools, and other public or pri- vately owned nonprofit facilities. Shoreline protection works can consist of groins, revetments, or seawalls. The Continuing Authorities Program allows the Corps to Emergency streambank protection, which helps sta- build small projects in response to a community s more bilize the streambank and prevent further erosion, immediate needs. In August 1955, the devastatingflood- usually consists of revetments or retaining walls. waters ofthe Naugatuck River ripped through Torrington, * Beach Erosion Control (Section 103)-provides for Connecticut, causing millions of dollars in damage (above). the construction of small beach restoration and pro- One of the ways the Corps responded to thisflood was to tection projects. These small projects reduce dam- build concretefloodwalls (below) and stone slope protection age and losses to backshore development. along the banks ofthe river giving the community added pro- * Snagging and Clearing for Flood Control (Section tection. While this project, Torrington (West Branch), was 208)-allows for the removal of accumulated debris constructed under Section 205 (theflood control authority) of and other obstructions and the straightening of the ContinuingAuthorities Program, other sections allow the stream channels when in the interest of flood dam- construction of small navigation and shore and bank protec- age reduction. tion projects. 30 31~~~~~~~R Natural Resources Mngmn Fish and Wildlife While the Corps has been developing and safeguarding The Corps encourages aquatic habitat by: the nation's water resources for nearly 200 years, it has a a Conducting tests on rivers and lakes to ensure high lesser known but equally important commitment to con- quality water for aquatic mammals and birds; and serve and protect our country's woodlands and lakes at its 9 Carefully protecting environmentally sensitive areas project sites. Lands owned by the Corps to primarily store that might house rare or endangered species, such occasional flood waters also serve as important habitats as the Golden Club aquatic plant found in the Conant for fish and wildlife. Brook Reservoir in Monson, Massachusetts. The Corps manages a diversity of terrestrial and aquatic The Corps employs specialists who help protect the habitats in New England. Its reservoirs offer a mixture of environment and oversee the effective management of the wood lands, fields, marshes, streams, and ponds that sup- area's woodlands and lakes. These people include for- port a variety of native wildlife populations, such as deer, esters, biologists, ecologists, geologists, and landscape beavers, wood ducks, foxes, songbirds, trout, and bass. architects. The Corps promotes wildlife habitat by: Recreation * Planting wildlife food plots, trees, and shrubs for food and shelter; Corps recreation areas, such as parks and camp- � Thinning overcrowded forest stands to increase wild- grounds, allow people to appreciate the full recreational life food and cover; potential at each of its dams and reservoirs without damag- * Fertilizing, reseeding, and mulching eroded sites; ing the environment. These leisure activities vary from � Planting tree seedlings for reforestation; project to project, but can include sight-seeing, bird- � Mowing fields for the benefit of wildlife; and watching, boating and canoeing, picnicking, swimming, � Installing nest boxes for birds and small mammals. walking, hiking, camping, and in-season fishing and hunt- There are 31 Corps-operated dams and reservoirs in ing. The 31 Corps-operated dams and reservoirs in New New England totalling more than 50,000 acres. This land England contain six campgrounds, 21 parks and picnic area provides good habitat for wildlife when in its areas, 18 boat ramps, and designated trails for hiking, natural state. horseback riding, trail bikes, snowmobiling, and cross- country skiing. State fish and game agencies stock reser- voirs with trout for sport fishing. Hunting varies from site to site, but can include deer, duck, quail, rabbit, partridge, grouse, squirrel, and stocked pheasant. Over six million people visit Corps-owned lands in New England every year As part of its commitment to provide safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities, the Corps conducts an Interpre- tive Services Program. Under this program, park rangers with professional training in forestry, wildlife, or park man- agement explain the principles of recreation safety and the importance of our natural resources through guided walks, evening campground programs, and special park demon- - ~ ~ ~ ~~,..., ~~~strations. These services are available to park visitors dur- ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~ing the summer months and to school, library, scouting, and other groups year-round. Thinning overcro wded forest strands-removing less desir- able trees to make room for new ones-increases wildlife food and cover Corps'rangers measure the height and width ofa less desirable tree at Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, Massa- chusetts, to determine its volume of lumber; which will be sold to a contractor 32 The Interpretive Services Program allows Corps'rangers to explain the principles of recreation safety and the importance of our water resources to park visitors. Above, a ranger enjoys a light moment with a youngpatron at the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne, Massachusetts, which is owned and operated by the Corps. The Army Corps ofEngineers supplements the woodlands A beaver pipe allows water to pass underneath a beaver at its dam sites in New England by planting tree seedlings for dam, preventing the flooding of nearby roads and controlling reforestation. Hop Brook Lake Dam in Middlebury, Con- the water level. This beaver pipe was constructed and necticut, is the site ofthis planting. installed at Surry Mountain Lake Dam in Surry New Hampshire. 33 Recreation at Corps' dams There are many recreational opportu- nities available at the 35 dams and reser- voirs operated by the Corps'New England Division. Clockwise, from top left: stocking trout at Hop Brook Lake Dam in Middlebury, Connecticut, snow- mobiling at Blackwater Dam in Webster New Hampshire, canoe racing at Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, Massa- chusetts;flyfishingat Townshend Lake ;��~ - - .... "" ":-t--6"l i''g _' *t0-#Dam in Townshend, Vermont; icefishing at East Brimfield Lake Dam in Stur- bridge, Massachusetts, and white water rafting at Littleville Lake in Huntington, Massachusetts. 34 35 Emergency Response and Recovery Natural disasters are both unpredictable and unavoid- local authorities in their preparation by taking immediate able. They can strike at any time with varying degrees of measures to protect life and property from the threat of severity Hurricanes, tornados, abnormally high rainfall, damaging floods. These measures include: snowmelt from an abnormal snowpack, or failure of dams *Participating in local flood emergency seminars and or other flood control works can take heavy tolls of life and exercises; property.* Strengthening nonfederal flood control and shore States and local communities are responsible for protection works; and answering the public's emergency call for help. However, Constructing temporary levees. there are times, such as the Blizzard of 1978, when the These protective measures are designed to meet an nature of the disaster exceeds the resources and capabili- imminent threat and are generally temporary in nature. The ties of local authorities. The Corps, with its expertise in Corps considers permanent rehabilIitation work that pro- mobilizing public and private resources, can respond tects against the threat of future disasters to be separate quickly to supplement community and state efforts and from emergency measures. Local communities are respon- efficiently and effectively provide additional assistance. sible for maintaining or removing any emergency or tempo- This support is part of the Corps' Emergency Response rary work constructed by the Corps. and Recovery operation. Emergency response provided by the Corps can be clas- Emergency Operations sified into three categories: Disaster Preparedness, Emer- When disaster strikes, the Corps stands ready to supple- gency Operations, and Contaminated Water/Drought ment the emergency efforts of state and local governments Assistance. at their request. Disaster relief activities carried out by the Disaster Preparedness Corps include: *Flood fighting and rescue operations. When neces- It is the responsibility of state and local governments to sary, the Corps furnishes flood fighting materials, be prepared for natural emergencies. The Corps can assist such as sandbags, lumber, pumps, or rock. The Corps provided disaster relief assistance to residents of Chelsea, Mas- sachusetts, when/ire destroyed 18 city blocks in October 1973. 36 THE MIDEAST WAR: Egypt in Major Sinai Assault; Israel Punches Nearer Damascus SUNNY EBoston Herald American LATE 0 ~~~~~~ Combining the. best features of the Herald Traveler and Record American COMPLETE Reprte _Page 25 TELEPHONE 426-3000 *MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1973 22 PACES FIFTEEN CENTS 80 Area Communiti~es Billows of Smoke Blaze Raged 7 Hours Send in Firefightiers Seen for 50 Miles Before Being Held 'urricane' Fire Destroys 18~~~~~~~~0 Blcs of Chesea DENSE SMOKE PROM CHELSEA FIRE bill-onars odes-long front as~ show in thirs domntno photo taker Iro Boston aid, or the Tohin Eridgl. Lowe Ie..rlof hn~dge netopnd fo eIren. nhrl -On the Inside._...,.,.,... The Story in Pictures, Page 3-Other Stories Pages 2, 4, 5,6, 7Vi t n s tl ch nD sb ie Il Mets Even Series Page 17 A fire of "historic proltortions" raged gitrogic tier st~h - itiremsn WartchrnDsble Millic ny WriteSee.i Hodrld.F Clnat ,n'flrcr -d-n, &r-e new n1 ;i Ir dat Ia bl,- teeL. l lowiond af aChel tteserfarn tf tIlastO jnnffigict, deotl'oyitg Ifundrods of lames and blftinesses, odatti- tot,1 Inamer -the rook ord . le e o esto-anito ese7 et aging, city hall and threatening the entire dlontotarn-toshnricss district. M ntorrcCnte nPtNrndrn aene, drtenre Osad. ....ee e.e. .... ..rttt . anerrnreott ~ r...rlrrnr Wen Cese at we IIoeore The mcoanteofatel blarE broke not at 3:56 p. wn. in a vacant koildinEfi at Irantle nn tIremo aldc'.a. -'-s nderIceetetr *Jets Humbhte Pats rag et Second and Soimmer oto. and raged through 30 city blocks denstenying 58 of them St y netd- hrieidblfa'ca'e ra orega me oarc Tare ets. nina ant and -damaginffg 12 oter in tke -ogenoed afe north of Boston Harboc. Sn]atedrkr rr frtnnadnwr rmce- aat ncwe ' e "ewer, eeee Y be Jee-ten The. Inli~ot ot antn-se etll meg Jn.n r etInbrorc r atdnrnnaoaasatta Saw England -lectin toe geee alarm s tie.bren Mirelli. rrnhe at hegu' etSo"oodb"eeeta Sa~ ~ ~~~ ~~~~~~IidW~d . nfll., goadlisil Cb- Chbc -nonln...d. - ale oS ...ta dog Irotitr ar, IrIthal A ~nos -k l." -i zli~Z: Ibs ete P7ti Ocln yersce, In "' b"tge naes"h v c r:nsrrn cao en rert.at at , neeesae arsas ooetr or dinttfOsetl'gtenreatteto ta nIt ortrn t ersaCecr ra n Ohr 'ntneaare hr ER 7 Ln iofqamaglilyowateenaeiedaeItasl. nbdg-flsteeroten 'J tra arr-.irea oiyde r i~ e Iceoed esco C- Ai nilniiylfinfil - antgndad- STAFON .H .JOB ji Armory Houses Refugee Center Ce-paqsd 2tS7 e ne N d mg aetamnen, eonj obdaU telndd a n id SeOm-Th adrctatse SeaeTAtFF Ore TEtr.~~ JOBfan ecateso D-a Abby ll P-a Psac1a 2t shim nerad Aman..irda atatt enrrsad ornts iTh Ce.,,naee Dirai se~ned Sacr Oror a,~ RlCaabidanoot M Momis enent Etaastecsg IV sdlil 153 noeI1,oe nsaSrenessSlgtde er.gog ,g, Pea doel dos teem -~i~otcttr upadK_ a' srae Igseeasepe N Obeecara sans l I secant n En oo.0 nhd,. - ettan hel e Ma~le OsS in llen po hloed. Itsd 0c hn tfiasot osrola er Ltudba cc wIst ii th c oty te .is esee. c"t otie macleg -o Sanf Palgmh. -;t~ll ,Kih i 1 1.~ scM. eDy. ann ISi amealangNdedN oat toay Pnfrtee Pck Hill, Leo t..I. ant'e Ocr-a Tlr and b tldiet SlsEa., t , srge caole .... Crow a eet beales. WIany 12se11nd Sleet andA d i., d IIIn F-.ipa Owes la, seat ha~ Nef.C0 Is$eaa 5 Wiabifee t .a Iwot ao-M boliSd tIed Millf-le, If ~ory peesca be- 37 � Removing logs, ice, and other debris that are block- tal, or natural events, such as flooding. For communities ing rivers and streams and could cause flooding. with contaminated water, the Corps provides water tank * Repairing and restoring federal and nonfederal flood trucks that haul water from safe sources to points estab- control and shore protection works damaged by lished for local distribution. If feasible, the Corps also lays flood, wind, or waves. temporary aboveground water lines, installs temporary * Snagging and clearing channels affected by storms. filters, and provides mobile purification units. � Providing temporary housing for disaster victims. For drought, the Corps can construct wells and transport � Providing technical assistance, such as ways to clear water by truck or pipeline to farmers, livestock, and others ice jams or strengthen dikes. within the distressed areas. Assistance can be provided When requested by the Federal Emergency Manage- when either life or property is threatened. ment Agency, the Corps can also assess municipal damage Because serious drought conditions could create water and prepare damage survey reports, rebuild structures shortages for many small communities near Corps reser- such as dikes and seawalls, and remove debris from public voirs, the Corps has developed drought contingency plans property. for 28 of its reservoirs in New England. During a drought Contaminated Water/Drought Assistance emergency the Corps, upon request from state officials, can partially fill a reservoir for emergency water supply The Corps provides emergency provisions of clean purposes. drinking water to communities confronted with contami- Requests for emergency supplies of clean drinking water nated water supplies or drought that could cause substan- resulting from either water contamination or drought are tial threats to public health and welfare. considered separately from flood and coastal storm Water contamination can occur from deliberate, acciden- emergency activities. 38 Other Programs and Services The Corps of Engineers supports its projects with var- Water Resource Planning Assistance to States ious programs and provides technical assistance on water In preparing and developing their own comprehensive resource activities to other federal agencies and the New water resource plans, states will occasionally need to bor- Eng land states. Some of these services are listed below.rothCrp'langexris.Rctatvteso- Water Quality Control Program ducted by the Corps at the request of states include: -Identif ying industrial and commercial water consump- To ensure the continued health and safety of the public, tion from public water supply systems; the Corps conducts an extensive water quality monitoring -Developing land use mapping from satellite imagery; and testing program at each of its 31 reservoirs in New -Conducting an inventory of coastal structures, such as England. Under this service, called the Water Quality Con- piers, wharves, and groins, at major ports; and trol Program, the Corps periodically samples and analyzes -Evaluating the amount of water that can be consis- reservoir waters to ensure they meet state water quality tently and safely removed from reservoirs. standards and are suitable for water supply, recreation, or other purposes. This information also helps to detect Aquatic Plant Control pollution problems.Aqaiplnssuhapodlleagebos wtr Water Quality Control Program activities at Corps w e e d c lat, duckwed ase pondlilie, calga slomewtier- projects include: theaed, duciwpedg and trader minfaigale waterways.Times � Testing drinking wells and beach areas for bacterial threqatensippn Pant Cotrade Proavgramobats widesreads h contamination; CopsAqaiPlant Conroblesi navigrablmn combats watersprtea � Monitoring the effects of acid rain in lakes, ponds, U lnitprbeminavgbend Stheaters.o h an woniodlghihalmnumlees;taihttrae In addition to navigational interests, the Aquatic Plant �Mntrnhihalumiu eestatmigh threate Control Program can be utilized to control aquatic plant aquaetifigsuceso poluiothtafectwae growths threatening flood control and drainage, fish and q dnifigsursoaoluionthat affctwae wildlife, agriculture, or public health. The program can also � Ensuring that the ecosystems of reservoirs arebeamnsrdtoeeftcitfcrsach maintained. The Corps periodically samples and analyzes water at each ofthe 31 dams it operates in New England to ensure water quality standards remain high. Right, a laboratory technician at the Corps' Water Quality Lab in Barre, Massachu- setts, monitors water at the Barre Falls Dam. 39 The Corps'Aquatic Plant Control Pro- gram limits plant problems threatening navigable waterwayvs. drainage, andfish and wildlife. Hardi's Pond in Waltham, Massachusetts, is an example of how excessive aquatic plant growth can limit the productive use of a pond. Permits Program AEWTAD The Corps of Engineers has a mandate to protect navi-AR VE L I D gation by regulating construction by others in navigable IMIPORTANVT? waterways. This activity falls under the Corps' Permits Program. Some pepeconsider w tadsuch as swamps, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, as wellI as related peogspld mase s a reastoefllerdaineds decisons y feeralcours, hve geatl brodene therather than conserved. However, most wetlands have Corps' regulatory authority to include the discharge of value and play an important role in the ecological bal- dredged or fill material into "waters of the United States," ance of nature. Under its Permits Program, the Corps a term that includes certain wetlands and other valuable gives special consideration to proposed construction aquatic areas. Section 404 requires that the public be noti- in wetland areas, recognizing that healthy wetlands fied and public hearings be held before a permit is issued. are important and productive natural resources that The Permits Program now focuses primarily on weighing make significant contributions to our quality of life. the economic and environmental benefits of development Wetlands provide a food chain resource and habitat against preserving the ecosystem when deciding whether for an audneaddvriyo ientrvldb a permit for a proposed activity would be contrary to the most other types of environments. They are breeding, public interest. When reviewing permit applications, the spawning, feeding, cover, and nursery areas for fish. Corps looks at all the relevant factors, including economics, They are important nesting, migrating, and wintering fish and wildlife conservation, wetland values, environmen- areas for ducks and geese. Wetlands may not yield tal concerns, flood damage reduction, navigation, shore their crop directly to the people, but their yield is erosion, recreation, public safety, water quality, and the reflected in the abundance of finfish, shellfish, and general welfare of the public. waterfowl. The Corps has introduced a number of nationwide per- Wetlands are beneficial in other ways as well. They mits which require little or no processing, and taken other serve as buffer areas that protect the shoreline from measures to streamline the permit application process erosion and storm damage. They act as natural water while maintaining environmental safeguards. storage areas during floods and storms by retaining high waters and gradually releasing them, thereby Corps/EFA Wastewater Treatment Construction reducing damaging effects. Wetlands contribute to Grants Program the production of agricultural products and timber. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) frequently Freshwater wetlands may infiltrate and help recharge gives municipalities grants to construct wastewater treat- underlying or nearby aquifers, often the source of ment facilities. The Corps and the EPA have a joint agree- local drinking water Wetlands also purify water by fil- ment whereby the Corps offers varying degrees of techni- tering pollutants. cal assistance to the six New England states regarding the The Corps recognizes the prominent role wetlands proper construction of these facilities. The Corps has have in our ecology and places special consideration helped EPA construct 70 wastewater treatment plants in on their value when making permit decisions. New England. 40 WARN11 J~~~~~~~pe moP Ietaweu I llbeen found ar 'e you., adwhayd to rtuowe j pon Of ~ ' ,rwr*Ouf Cleaning chemical spills at hazardous waste sites is a team project between the Corps and the EPA. An area identified as a hazardous waste location was this site in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, near Cornell Pond and the Copicut River Upon request by the EPA, the Corps assists the states by providing construction management services, which includes preconstruction reviews, progress inspections during the construction period, and administrative and accounting assistance when construction is completed. The extent of Corps' participation in the construction of each wastewater treatment facility varies according to the respective state's resources and specific needs. Hazardous Waste The Corps and the EPA are also tackling another major environmental project: the cleanup of chemical spills in the country's most hazardous waste sites. This program is better known as "Superfund." Specifically, the Corps manages the design and con- struction of cleanup sites that are assigned to it by the EPA. EPA identifies sites and selects the most hazardous loca- tions for priority action. Once a site is selected, the Corps prepares design and construction contracts for private industry, which does the actual design and construction work under Corps' supervision. Once complete, projects are transferred to EPA which turns them over to states for operation and maintenance. Other Superfund support provided by the Corps to the EPA includes: -Technical assistance to ensure that remedial action at selected hazardous waste sites can be performed. Among some of the remedial actions that may be employed by the i Corps at Superfund locations are incineration, sanitary "~ landfills, deep well injection, land disposal, excavation and Under an agreement with the EPA, the Corps offers techni- burial, and chemical or biological treatment. cal assistance to those New England states that are building -Development of health and safety plans at the site. wastewater treatment facilities. This facility, in Lynn, Massa- -Environmental monitoring during the construction of chusetts, was completed in February 1985. remedial measures. 41 Materials dumped at sites range from petroleum bypro- ducts to toxic chemicals to explosives. Because of the danger that these materials may leak into the soil and nearby drinking water, the Corps considers its work in the Superfund Program to be among its most important. The cleanup of hazardous waste sites is an important envi- ronmentalpriority of the Corps and the EPA. In the case of New Bedford Harbor in Massachusetts (above), sediment is collectedfrom the harborfloor and tested to determine the volume ofPCBs and other contaminants. Gauging the vol- ume and location of these contaminants is afirst step toward eventual cleanup. 42 Description of Projects 44 River Basins Flooding may be caused by a combination of many fac- their drainage areas. The following pages show where tors related to the underlying river basin. Corps' Flood these eight river basins lie in the state and the location of Damage Reduction projects, such as dams and Local Pro- Corps' Flood Damage Reduction projects within each basin. tection Projects, are designed and constructed as part of (Note: Because the Taunton River Basin does not have an overall plan to limit flooding in a particular river basin. any Corps' Flood Damage Reduction projects within its There are 19 principal river basins that lie entirely or par- drainage area, an accompanying map is not included. The tially in New England. Of this number, nine river basins are basin lies in southeastern Massachusetts and has a maxi- in Massachusetts-the Connecticut, Housatonic, Thames, mum length of 32.5 miles and a maximum width of Merrimack, Blackstone, Charles, Neponset, Hudson, and 30 miles. Its 562 square miles is almost equally divided Taunton. Eight of these basins (Taunton being the excep- between Bristol and Plymouth Counties, with a small tion) have Corps' Flood Damage Reduction projects within portion extending into Norfolk County). US Army Corps JOHN of Engineers / Major River Basins in New England PENOBSCO' CR KENNE D G tl9 1 ( PISCATAQUA NEVV)~ H' \ ) -/_ ,CHARLES YORK 5 NEPONSET TAUNTON c THAMEESI ~ATLANTIC OCEAN 4 BLACKSTONE PAWCATUCK 45 CANADA ..... ATJJJ NCANADA i LEGEND ( 44 M ~~~~~~E | VT. DAM k +'" 9 \ N *[ . LOCAL PROTECTION PROJECT N H. S --STATE BOUNDARY F,'pper r S t V 1z:\ \ Z , ti N, R S ISRAEL RIVER, LANCASTER oodsville Haverhill UNION VILLAGE DAM NORTH HARTLAND LAKE u Hartlandl NORTH SPRINGFIELD LAKE _ r tnt WESTON g6Su R.g Springfiel t, BALL MOUNTAIN LAKE '" SURRY MOUNTAIN LAKE Connecticut River Basin TOWNSHEND LAKE [ ' kBEAVER BROOK, KEENE The Connecticut River Basin, one of rattlebOTTER BROOK LAKE the largest river basins in New England, rattlebor ) RKEE~NE stretches from southern Quebec to .VT. 9 N.H. Long Island Sound, off the Connecticut N.H_'_- BIRCH-- coast. It has a total length of 280 miles NORTHAMPTON BIRCHHILLe D and a maximum width of 60 miles. KNIGHTVILLE DAM, KNIGHTVILLE DAll*M 5LY L2 AKR iER Of the 11,250 square miles in the LITTLEVILLE LAKE RE FALLS DAM basin, 1436 square miles, or about HOLYOKE AND SPRIIGODALE_ M d B 13 percent, lie in Connecticut; 3928 C( ""pHl(O Utt b l l t S ;I ^ W ARE square miles (35 percent) lie in WEST SPRINGFIELD AND RIVEDR A WESLE WARREN Vermont; 3046 square miles (about MASS R% 1 THREE RIVERS 27 percent) lie in New Hampshire; and COLEBROOK R7I!VER L ',-NjANT BROOK DAM� 2726 square miles (24 percent) lie in MAD RIVER LAKE~ g }ONN . SPRINGfELD Massachusetts. About 114 square miles SUCKER B1)ROOK DARTFORD (one percent) are located in Quebec. In OKI-'EAST HARTFORD Massachusetts, the Connecticut River FOLLY BRONOK <;X Basin occupies all of Franklin and Hampshire Counties, most of Hampden County, the eastern third of Berkshire ~,,\ 4 Nl County, and the western portion of New Havens 4Vnd,)n Worcester County. LONG ISLAND SOUND 46 P~~2fiejd ~~~ N ~~ Housatonic River Basin ~~ ~~ r ~~~~ Wn~~~m~~ter ~~The Housatonic River Basin lies princi- / MA HIJSETTS .j~~~~~~~. pally in western Connecticut and south- 1z' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~western Massachusetts. Two small CONNECTICUT ancock pofiou ecdtion extend into southeastern New 'SATOVIL: ancoek Lake~~ York. The basin is 98 miles long with a RI ER IJARI.'~~~~ Onhon ~maximum width of 35 miles. New - ~~~~~~Lebanon Of teHousatonic River Basin's B Islaoe S ..' Mdd 1950 square miles, 1232 (63 percent) ~~, ,,~~~ Seam Pond l~~~~~Iie in Connecticut; 500 (26 percent) in 0 Becket Massachusetts; and 218 (11 percent) HOUSATONIC RIVER, e in New York. In Massachusetts, the PITTSFI~~~EL Stoekbbidg basin occupies roughly two-thirds of PITTSFIELD ~~~~~~! ~~ Berkshire County N NORTH CANAAN - liltI~k6~NorfolkHALM DO BR K TORRINGTON (WEST) ~~~EAST BRANCH DAM NORTHFIELDhfld T n BROOK LAKE U118 anta ~ Plmout TORRINGION (EAST) Wingda Washingtu THOMASTON DAM P. 9~ ~~W HANCOCK BROOK LAKE BLACK ROCK LAKE LCndledood ' WATERBURY-WATERTOWNl QBeacon' NOI DANBURY Lk Danbury HOP BROOK LAKE DERBY 1000" BRIDGEPO LEGEND N LOCAL PROTECTION PROJECT SCALE IN MILES 0 48i12 47 LEGEND ~~~/ N.'~ *!~~~~ .DAM VT. LOCAL PROTECTION N.H. PROJECT (y , ,~ EAST BRIMFIELD I HURRICANE PROJECTION LAKE BARRIER MASS. MASS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCALE IN MILES ,' THA~MES IO WESTVILLE RIVER BASIN wo~R~cEsTER LAKE ,4 , ~ , Bfe 0d HODGES VILLAGE DAM CONN. Brimn~~~~~Bfield Fs~ls Long Island Sound trrdeBFUYLELK RiwR'B'';T BUFoF.UMVLLE LAKE -Shbrde t C Holland ~ Dudley Webster ~~~-----------........... :"MASS. t-- 0 CONN. .MASS....... Grosvenordle R" Thompson U-W West ThompsonI Iu-a : WEST THOMPSON I 0 fa I~ ~ ~~~~I West Glocester LAKE Danielson I Andover U'/ MANTIC I OWindham Gree I,. MANSFIELD HOLLOW ,OLebanon Thames River Basin LAKE at GUM O c ~JewettCity * The Thames River Basin lies mostly in the eastern third of Connecticut, with ',~"~vi ,l~ ~ '~ ~ t , small sections extending into southern arab N ICH u, Massachusetts and northwestern G. Ca~~~~~rdner ~ i C HRhode Island. It is 67 miles long with a Os~] Pk~~~~em l maximum width of 38 miles. The basin comprises an area of NORWICH 1474 square miles. Of this number, NORWICH. 1162 square miles (75 percent) lie in Connecticut, 251 (20 percent) lie in "' Massachusetts, and 61 (five percent) NEW LONDON N lie in Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, EWLONO i , the Thames River Basin occupies the southeastern corner of Hampden County and the southwestern portion 7 ::1 ~of Worcester County. LONG ISLAND SOUND 48 CANADA r- N LINCOLN E f- R N~incoln r V T. MAINE Squm; MASS. q Lake Lak e CONN. T. �n Wunnipesaukee SS. ., Lake <T b FRANKLIN FALLS DAM * Lake .i..iaqa, Merrimack River Basin f,-~ -" " The Merrimack River Basin extends \r Andover from the rugged White Mountain region r ba klijn 9 of northern New Hampshire to south- eastern Massachusetts. It has a maxi- B LACKWATER mum length of 134 miles and a maxi- DAM mum width of 68 miles. The basin's 5010 square miles make it the fourth largest river basin in New ContoocookO RD England. About 3810 square miles (76 HOPKINTON- Henniker Hopki percent) lie in New Hampshire, and ~ "~Jg'EVERETT qF Hopkint C 1200 square miles (24 percent) lie in Massachusetts. The Merrimack River L AK E rBasin covers parts of the Massachu- EDWARD ED WARD Og 9 Vt~goffstawl 'setts counties of Essex, Middlesex, lMacDOWeL4> , MANC and Worcester. MacDOWEL MANCHESTE LAKE W.Peterborough /Derry NORTH NASHUA MASSACHUSETT1S RIVER ._ R LOWELLU LOWELL . - * DAM N LOCAL PROTECTION MASSACHUSETTS �L:APROTECTI BAYlfC j-:.;..':..... SCALE IN MILES .?' 4_2--- 1XONVILLE 49 ) -~ BLACKSTONE RIVER BASIN : OR!ESTER Quinsigamond L~soll ~ 8 ~ATLANTIC A'M ibury M il U r WEST HILL DAM >^ \r\ WOONSOCKET WORCESTER WI.S yX t @/ | LOWER WOONSOCKET Uxbridge MASS.I Mil B-iTiO- 9I R.I. >e(~ +si YC zg{OONSOCKET LEGEND ZP 55 DAM :5 = | * OCAL PROTECTION PROJECT A HURRICANE PROTECTION BARRIER Ii' SCALE IN MILES BLACKSTONEn iiil s Blackstone River Basin The Blackstone River Basin stretches from Worcester PR Massachusetts, to the Providence-Pawtucket area in Rhode E PROVIDENCE Island. It is 46 miles long and has an average width of 12 miles. The basin consists of 540 square miles, of which 382 X POINT square miles (71 percent) lie in Massachusetts, and 158 FOX POINT square miles (29 percent) in Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, . the basin occupies the southeastern quarter of Worcester County, the southwestern corner of Norfolk County, and the northwestern corner of Bristol County. 50, JVER11O1T/ NW ! N~~~~~ CHELES RIVER t 1 HAMPS HIRE I B ASIN Charles River BasinASS The Charles River Basin is located mostly in eastern /I Massachusetts and comprises an area of 311 square miles. ~EC It has a maximum width of 14.5 miles and a maximum length O of 30 miles. ~~- The basin covers parts of Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Worcester Counties. LOCATION MAP CHARLES RIVER DAM Dedham* *Mi Ifoard \.. ~~~\ Frank~~~~inj~~ LEGEND Franklin 0 ~~~DAM J U~~~~~~~ CHARLES RIVER NATURAL 5 ~~~~~~~~~VALLEY STORAGE AREAS 51 2 0 2 4 IL.E S td <M r T M A I E-' - Neponset River Basin i K The Neponset River Basin lies entirely in eastern Massa- T RIVE. chusetts. Its' 117 square miles make it one of New England's / ... ./ smallest river basins. / .- 'C The basin has a maximum width of 13.1 miles and a maxi- oC E mum length of 22.2 miles. It lies mostly in Norfolk County, covering 22 percent of the-county's land area. A small por- ' tion of the Neponset River Basin reaches the southerly tip of Suffolk County. LOCATION MAP BOSTON HARBOR BOSTON Walpole LEGEND * LOCAL PROTECTION PROJECT 52 2 0 2 MILES N T ME. N.Y. j ,.:o~ /Onlorio~~~ , _y(N.H.' Edw ard NE 0--N E YORK MASS. Manchester -, . o ' PENN. T J. ' Saratoga / A DAMS The Hudson River Basin lies mostly in ing areas in northern New Jersey, south- wes tern Vermont, northwestern Massa- Mechand western Connecticut.vi Cats.il Of the basin's 13,366 square miles, 12435 square miles (93 percent) lie in New YORTH ADAMSk; o[St / ~g Hudson River B asin lie in New Jersey; 450 - 190 squarThe Hudmiles (on Riverce Basint) lies mostly in Mas- { ~a sachusetts; an d 36 squareas in north(0.3 per-sey, south chusetts, and we ster i n Connecticut. In Massachusetts, The basin coverhas the normaximumlengthwest corner of236 LErk squahire miles (93 perceunt ) lie in New York; 255 square miles (two CAL percent) of the Hud-CT SCALE IN MILES 6 0 6 12 53 Flood Damage Reduction The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed dams million. It is estimated that these works, more commonly and reservoirs, a hurricane protection barrier, and local pro- referred to as local protection projects because they pro- tection projects to significantly reduce flooding damages in vide flood protection to specific communities rather than Massachusetts. wide areas of a state, have prevented about $385 million in The 11 Corps-built and operated dams in Massachusetts flood damages. Local protection projects in Massa- cost a total of $44.4 million to construct and have pre- chusetts are operated and maintained by the respective vented flood damages estimated at $391.3 million. They municipalities except for the Charles River Dam, which is have also offered the public a variety of recreational oppor- operated and maintained by the state. (More information on tunities and enhanced the state's environment. dams and reservoirs, hurricane protection barriers, and The hurricane protection barrier in New Bedford dissi- local protection projects is available on page 16). pates hurricane tides and protects the shoreline from The following pages give a brief history and description coastal storm flooding. Costing $18.6 million to build, the of the flood damage reduction projects constructed by the Corps-operated barrier has prevented flood damages esti- Corps in Massachusetts. mated at $4.2 million. The Corps has also completed 27 other flood damage Note: Figures given for damages prevented by each flood reduction projects in Massachusetts at a cost of $135.4 controlproject are estimated through September 1987 TOWER CONTROL ROOM STONE SLOPE PROTECTION -C:ONDGRAVEUL)/T M* PSTR< A\G CONCRETE G\ CHAMBE R BEDROCK SAND DRAIN CONDUIT (SAND, SILT AND CLAY) TYPICAL CROSS SECTION OF AN EARTHFILL DAM 54 Flood Damage Reduction Projects in Massachusetts Dams and Reservoirs Barre Falls Dam in Barre Birch Hill Dam in Royalston Buff umville Lake in Chariton Conant Brook Dam in Monson East Brimfield Lake in Sturbridge Hodges Village Dam in Oxford Knightville Dam in Huntington Littleville Lake in Huntington and Chester Tully Lake in Royalston West Hill Dam in Uxbridge Westville Lake in Southbridge and Sturbridge Hurricane Protection Barrier New Bedford Local Protection Projects Adams Lowell Blackstone River, Blackstone North Adams Bound Brook, Scituate North Nashua River, Fitchburg Canton Northampton Charles River Dam Riverdale, West Springfield Charles River Natural Valley Storage Saxonville Chicopee Smelt Brook, Weymouth and Braintree Chicopee Falls Springfield Gardner Three Rivers, Palmer Haverhill Ware Hayward Creek, Quincy and Braintree West Springfield Holyoke and Springdale West Warren Housatonic River, Pittsfield Worcester Little River Dike, Westfield 55 Dams and Reservoirs Barre Falls Dam in Barre Birch Hill Dam in Royalston Buffumville Lake in Chariton Conant Brook Dam in Monson East Brimfield Lake in Sturbridge Hodges Village Dam in Oxford Knightville Dam in Huntington Littleville Lake in Huntington and Chester Tully Lake in Royalston West Hill Dam in Uxbridge Westville Lake in Southbridge and Sturbridge 57 Barre Falls Dam Location: Barre Falls Dam is located in Barre on the Ware River, about 0.3 mile below the junction of the river's east and west branches and 13 miles northwest of Worcester. From Gardner, Barre Falls Dam can be reached travelling south on Route 68 to Route 62 west. Purpose: Barre Falls Dam substantially reduces flooding along the Ware, Chicopee, and Connecticut Rivers. Since its construction, it has prevented damages of $22.3 million. History: Construction of the project began in May 1956 and was completed in May 1958 at a cost of $2 million. A portion of Route 62 was relocated to accommodate the project. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 885 feet long and 69 feet high; three dikes totaling 3215 feet in length with a maximum elevation of 48 feet; a 250-foot-long gated horseshoe conduit with a diameter of nine feet eight inches; and a chute spillway cut in rock with a 60-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 23 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional There is no lake at Barre Falls Dam. The flood storage area of the project, which is normally Information: empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, covers 1400 acres in the towns of Barre, Hub- bardston, Rutland, and Oakham. The entire project, including all associated lands, covers 2407 acres. Barre Falls Dam can store up to 782 billion gallons of water for flood control pur- poses. This is equivalent to 8.2 inches of water covering its drainage area of 55 square miles. About 555 acres of the reservoir area are operated and managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. A small picnic area along the Ware River includes 12 picnic sites, with a table and fireplace at each, and parking and sanitary facilities. Drinking water is available outside the utility building at the dam. Reservoir lands are designated for snow- mobiling and cross-country skiing. Brook, brown, and rainbow trout are stocked by the state in the Ware River. The state also stocks pheasant for in-season hunting. Barre Falls Dam is home for the Water Quality Laboratory of the Corps' New England Divi- sion. The laboratory ensures that Corps reservoirs meet state water quality standards by conducting the Corps' Water Quality Control Program. More information on this program can be found on page 39. 58 Barre Falls Dam 59 Birch Hill Dam Location: Birch Hill Dam is located in Royalston on the Millers River, 11 miles northeast of Athol and 75 miles northwest of Boston. From Gardner, it can be reached travelling 11 miles north on Route 68. Purpose: In conjunction with the dam at Tully Lake, Birch Hill Dam provides flood protection to Athol, Orange, and other communities on the Millers River. Birch Hill Dam also helps to reduce damages along the main stem of the Connecticut River. Since construction, it has prevented $53.4 million in flood damages. History: Construction of the dam began in June 1940 and was completed in February 1942 at a cost of $4.8 million. The New England Power Company power line and a portion of U.S. Route 202 were relocated. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 1400 feet long and 56 feet high; four gated rectangular conduits, each six feet wide, 12 feet high, and 34 feet long; and three concrete chute spillways, each with a concrete weir. The three weirs have a total length of 1190 feet and have crest elevations that are 12 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional There is no lake at Birch Hill Dam (Lake Dennison, located within the project grounds, is Information: located two miles upstream of the dam). The flood storage area of Birch Hill Dam, which is normally empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, covers 3200 acres and extends upstream through the towns of Royalston, Winchendon, and Templeton. The project and associated lands total 4637 acres. When combined with the adjoining Otter River State For- est that is operated by the state, over 8500 acres are available to the public. Birch Hill Dam can store up to 16.26 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 5.3 inches of water covering its drainage area of 175 square miles. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management leases over 4221 acres of reservoir lands from the Corps and conducts an extensive recreation and fish and wildlife management program. As a result, Birch Hill Dam is becoming increasingly popular as a rec- reational area. One of its main attractions is the 200-acre Lake Dennison Camping Area, located upstream of the dam. It consists of two separate camping locations totalling 150 campsites, each with a picnic table and fireplace. The North Area has 50 campsites, drinking water, and two sanitary facilities with hot showers. The East Area has 100 campsites, with tree and brush growth between each campsite, drinking water, and four sanitary facilities with hot showers and soap stone sinks. Between the two camping areas is a trailer dumping sta- tion. The Lake Dennison Camping Area also features a beach area on the 82-acre lake that offers swimming, sanitary facilities, a change house, and a nearby boat ramp (gasoline boats excluded). Two picnic areas are situated on either side of the beach. The upper area has 25 picnic tables and 15 fireplaces, and the lower area has 12 picnic tables and 10 fireplaces. In addition to the facilities at Lake Dennison, Birch Hill Dam offers over 4000 acres that pro- vide a wide variety of recreational opportunities. A network of scenic trails skirts the reservoir and is used for walking, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. There is also a 40-mile dirt road network (except for 2.5 paved miles of old Route 202) that can be used for these same activities. A 50-mile trail along the perimeter of reservoir lands is especially enjoyed by hikers and snowshoers. A 4.5-acre open field is avail- able for group activities, such as volleyball, softball, touch football, and other outdoor activi- ties. A target range is available for sportsmen (state permits required), with firing lines set at 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 meters. Visitors will also enjoy walking to the historic King Philip Rock, the site where old Indian Chief King Philip held tribal meetings. Birch Hill Dam features excellent fishing in a streamside environment. The state stocks brook, brown, and rainbow trout in Lake Dennison, the Millers River, the Otter River, Priest Brook, Tarbell Brook, Sip Pond Brook, and Beaver Brook-all located within the project area. Lake Dennison, a warm water lake, also has native smallmouth bass, pickerel, bullhead, shiners, and pumpkin seed. Native bass and horned pout can be found at Beaver Pond, also located on reservoir grounds. Ice fishing is permitted on Lake Dennison and Beaver Pond. For hunters, the state stocks pheasant and a limited amount of wild turkey and rabbit. In-season hunting and/or trapping is also available for partridge, quail, white tailed deer, bear, fox, beaver, mink, muskrat, and squirrel. The reservoir area is patrolled by environmental police officers from the Massachusetts Division of Law Enforcement. 60 ;;;;;:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ii~~i E : ;; E || :~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ I ||i :: | l , : |gi : | _ ::~~~~~~~~~~1 I� i Birch Hill Damn 61 Buffumville Lake Location: The dam at Buffumville Lake lies across the Little River in Chariton, about eight miles north- east of Southbridge and 50 miles southwest of Boston. From Worcester, the dam can be reached travelling south on U.S. Route 395 to exit 4W, then two miles on Charlton Street. Purpose: In conjunction with Hodges Village Dam, Buffumville Lake reduces flood levels on the French River in Oxford, Webster, and Dudley, Massachusetts, and Thompson, Connecticut. Buffumville Lake also helps to reduce flooding extending downstream from Putnam, Con- necticut on the Quinebaug River to Norwich, Connecticut on the Thames River. Buffumville Lake has prevented damages of $22 million. History: Construction of Buffumville Lake started in September 1956 and was completed in June 1958, costing $3 million. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 3255 feet long and a 66 feet high; a 610-foot-long earthfill dike with a maximum elevation of 15 feet; three gated rectangular conduits, each three feet wide, four feet six inches high, and 44 feet long; and a spillway cut in rock with a concrete weir 220 feet long. The weir's crest elevation is 15 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional Buffumville Lake contains a 200-acre recreation pool one mile long with a maximum depth Information: of 11 feet. The flood storage area of the project totals 530 acres and extends about 1.7 miles upstream on the Little River's main stem and about 1.9 miles upstream on the Little River's south branch in Charlton and Oxford. The flood storage area is normally empty and utilized only to store floodwaters. The lake and all associated project lands cover 753 acres. Buffum- ville Lake can store up to 3.68 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equiv- alent to nine inches of water covering its drainage area of 26.5 square miles. A 50-acre public park within the reservoir grounds is operated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management. The park offers a beach area, 45 picnic tables, 30 fireplaces, a boat ramp, bathhouse, drinking water, and parking and sanitary facilities. Native pickerel, bass, horned pout, and a variety of panfish challenge sportsmen in the 200-acre lake. 62 ��,,� ~~~Bufmle L el ... ~i i!,~~' ~c t 6 �~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~;i� Buffumville Lake 63 Conant Brook Dam Location: Conant Brook Dam is located about two miles southeast of the center of Monson, on the Conant Brook tributary of Chicopee Brook. From Palmer, the dam can be reached travelling four miles south on Route 32, then left on Wales Road. Purpose: Conant Brook Dam provides flood protection to Monson and communities along the Qua- boag River. In conjunction with Barre Falls Dam, the project provides flood protection to com- munities along the Chicopee River. Field data on damages prevented by Conant Brook Dam are not available. History: Construction started in June 1964 and was completed in December 1966, costing $3 million. About 1.3 miles of town road were relocated, and 0.3 mile of new road was added. Also included in construction was a new water supply well for the town of Monson. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 1050 feet long and 85 feet high; a 980-foot long earthfill dike with a maximum height of 14 feet; a 405-foot-long ungated circular concrete conduit with a 36-inch diameter; and a concrete chute spillway with a 100-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 14 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional There is no lake at Conant Brook Dam, but there is a three-acre reservoir at the down- Information: stream toe of the dam that the town of Monson uses as a backup water supply. The flood storage area of the project, which covers 158 acres, is normally empty and only utilized to store floodwaters. The entire project, including all associated lands, covers 471 acres. Conant Brook Dam can store up to 1.22 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to nine inches of water covering its drainage area of 78 square miles. More than a mile of old roads offer scenic trails for hiking, horseback riding, and cross- country skiing. One of Conant Brook's main attractions is Golden Club, a rare aquatic plant that grows on the one-half acre Duck Pond. This stand supports a substantial population of the species and is the largest of only three Golden Club stands in Massachusetts. In coopera- tion with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Corps has desig- nated Duck Pond and its perimeter "'A Natural Area" to protect the Golden Club. The project also offers three miles of stream fishing for state-stocked trout along Conant and Vinica Brooks. Seasonal hunting is permitted for state-stocked pheasant and native rabbit, deer, and other small game. 64 Conant Brook Dam 65 East Brimfield Lake Location: The dam at East Brimfield Lake is located on the Quinebaug River in Sturbridge, about 20 miles southwest of Worcester and 23 miles east of Springfield. From the Massachusetts Turn- pike, the project can be reached by taking exit nine, then west on U.S. Route 20 for 2.5 miles. Purpose: In conjunction with the dam at Westville Lake, the dam at East Brimfield Lake substantially reduces flood damages in Southbridge and Dudley, Massachusetts, and Putnam, Danielson, Jewett City, and Norwich, Connecticut. These communities are predominant industrial and business centers on the Quinebaug River East Brimfield Lake has prevented damages of $30.5 million. History: Construction of East Brimfield Lake began in May 1958 and was completed in June 1960, costing $71 million. Town roads and portions of U.S. Route 20 were relocated. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 520 feet long and 55 feet high; a 210-foot-long gated horseshoe conduit with a diameter of 10 feet six inches; and a chute spillway excavated in rock with a 75-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest ele- vation is 19 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional There is a recreation pool at East Brimfield Lake that has a maximum depth of 13 feet cov- Information: ering an area of 450 acres. The American Optical Company of Southbridge can withdraw water from the reservoir as long as the reservoir does not dip below a minimum depth of nine feet. The flood storage area of the project covers 2270 acres and extends about 5.5 miles upstream through Holland and seven miles upstream through Brimfield. This area is normally empty and utilized only to store floodwaters. The lake and all associated project lands cover 2716 acres. East Brimfield Lake can store up to 9.74 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 8.3 inches of water covering its drainage area of 675 square miles. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management manages the recreational facilities on project lands. There are 1480 acres of land and five separate ponds and lakes totalling 590 surface acres available for recreational use within the project area. These ponds are East Brimfield Lake (the reservoir impounded by the dam); Holland Pond; Green Pond; Pork Barrel Pond; and Lost Lake. The East Brimfield Lake reservoir is 450 surface acres and lies behind the dam. Along its shore is Streeter Point Beach, which has a sandy beach area, a picnic area with 40 picnic tables and 10 fireplaces, a grassy area, drinking water, and parking and sanitary facilities. Holland Pond is a 65-acre natural lake about seven miles upstream of the dam that has 12 additional acres of developed recreational land. Facilities at Holland Pond include a beach area; a picnic area with 100 picnic tables and 40 fireplaces; an open field for volleyball, soft- ball, touch football, cross country skiing, and other types of recreation; a change house; drinking water; and parking and sanitary accommodations. Lost Lake, about one mile north of Holland Pond, is about 15 acres and is managed by the state as a group camping area (per- mits are required). Fishing and boating are permitted, but Lost Lake is surrounded by trees and is not visible from the road. About 10 acres of land have been developed for group camp- ing purposes. The five-acre Green Pond and the three-acre Pork Barrel Pond are surrounded by trees, accessible only by foot, and allow shoreline fishing. There are three boat ramps for canoeing, sailing, and waterskiing. Two boat ramps are located on the East Brimfield Lake reservoir-one on Route 20 east, the other across the street on Route 20 west. The third boat ramp is located on Holland Pond and marks the start of the designated seven-mile canoe trail over flat water river, ending at the boat ramp on Route 20 east. The state stocks trout in the reservoir at East Brimfield Lake. Native bass, pickerel, perch, northern pike, and horned pout can also be found. Of special note is the record northern pike caught through the ice in January 1987 The 34-pound, 45-inch-long fish captured the state pike record and the record for the largest freshwater fish caught with a hook and line in Mas- sachusetts. Hunters will find state-stocked small pheasant and native rabbit, squirrel, and deer 66 East Brimfield Lake 67 Hodges Village Dam Location: Hodges Village Dam in Oxford lies across the French River, about ten miles south of Worcester From Worcester, visitors can reach the dam by taking U.S. Route 395 south to exit 4W, one-half mile on Sutton Street, one-half mile on Charlton Street, right on Howarth Road. Purpose: In conjunction with Buffumville Lake, Hodges Village Dam reduces flood levels on the French River in Oxford, Webster, and Dudley, Massachusetts, and Thompson, Connecticut. Hodges Village Dam also helps to reduce flooding extending downstream from Putnam, Connecticut on the Quinebaug River to Norwich, Connecticut on the Thames River. Hodges Village Dam has prevented $26.7 million in flood damages. History: Construction of Hodges Village Dam was initiated in March 1958 and completed in December 1959, costing $4.5 million. Portions of both Route 12 and a railroad track were relocated. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 2140 feet long and 55 feet high; four earthfill dikes with stone slope protection totalling 2600 feet in length with a maximum elevation of 16 feet; two gated rectangular concrete conduits, each six feet high, five feet wide, and 206 feet long; and a chute spillway cut in rock, with a 125-foot-long con- crete weir The weir's crest elevation is 19 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional There is no lake at Hodges Village Dam. The flood storage area of the project, which is nor- Information: mally empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, covers 740 acres and extends upstream about three miles. The entire project, including all associated lands, covers 1137 acres. Hodges Village Dam can store up to 4.17 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to eight inches of water covering its drainage area of 31.1 square miles. Hodges Village Dam features a streamside environment with 676 acres available for various types of recreation. The Greenbriar Recreation Area, which is managed by the town, has tennis courts and ball fields. The Corps manages a trail system for hiking, horseback riding, trail bikes, snowmobiles, and cross-country skiing. Parking and sanitary facilities are avail- able. Although located at the downstream base of the dam and not part of the project, Augutteback Pond offers warm water fishing for native bass, horned pout, and perch. 68 Hodges Village Dam 69 Knightville Dam Location: Knightville Dam is located on the Westfield River in Huntington. From Westfield, it can be reached travelling west on U.S. Route 20 to Huntington, then north on Route 112. Purpose: In conjunction with the dam at Littleville Lake, Knightville Dam provides flood protection to Huntington, Westfield, West Springfield, and other communities on the Westfield River. Knightville Dam also helps to reduce damages along the main stem of the Connecticut River. Since its completion, it has prevented $134.9 million in flood damages. History: Construction of the project began in August 1939 and was completed in December 1941 at a cost of $3.4 million. Route 112 was relocated to accommodate the project. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection measuring 1200 feet long and 160 feet high; a gated circular concrete conduit founded on bedrock 605 feet long with a diameter of 16 feet; and a curved chute spillway cut in rock with a 400-foot-long con- crete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 20 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional There is no lake at Knightville Dam. The flood storage area of the project covers 960 acres Information: and extends about six miles upstream through Huntington and Chesterfield. It is normally empty and utilized only to store floodwaters. The project and all associated lands cover 2688 acres. Knightville Dam can store up to 15.97 billion gallons of water for flood control pur- poses. This is equivalent to 5.6 inches of water covering its drainage area of 162 square miles. There are 296 acres at Knightville Dam available for various types of recreation. The most popular recreational facility is the Indian Hollow Camping Area, available by permit to orga- nized groups. Located on the East Branch of the Westfield River, Indian Hollow offers stream- side campsites, 20 picnic tables and 20 fireplaces, a small amphitheater, hot showers, drink- ing water, and parking and sanitary facilities. There is an eight-mile trail for snowmobiling and a six-mile trail for horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Both trails are available for hik- ing and nature study. There is also a picnic area on the knoll below the dam with six tables and six fireplaces, and a separate picnic area on top of the dam with three tables and three fire- places. Canoeing is permitted. The river and tributary streams in the project area offer excellent trout fishing and are sur- rounded by prime upland game habitat. Brook, brown, and rainbow trout are stocked in the Little River and the East Branch of the Westfield River. Native rock bass can also be found. Knightville Dam offers in-season hunting of stocked pheasant and native wild turkey, deer, bear, coyote, and fox. 70 Knightville Dam 71 Littleville Lake Location: The dam at Littleville Lake is located on the Middle Branch of the Westfield River in Hun- tington and Chester. From Westfield, visitors can reach the dam by taking Route 20 west to Huntington, then Route 112 north. Purpose: In conjunction with Knightville Dam, Littleville Lake provides flood protection to Huntington, Westfield, West Springfield, and other communities on the Westfield River. Littleville Lake also helps to reduce damages along the main stem of the Connecticut River Since its completion, it has prevented damages of $50 million. Littleville Lake is a multipurpose reservoir, serving as a backup water supply area for Springfield in addition to its flood control function. History: Construction of the dam began in June 1962 and was completed in September 1965, cost- ing $7 million. Relocation included about five miles of town roads, seven miles of utilities, and a 350-grave cemetery. Description: Littleville Lake consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 1360 feet long and 164 feet high; a 935-foot-long earthfill dike with a maximum elevation of 46 feet; a gated horseshoe conduit, eight feet in diameter, with a length of 370 feet; and a chute spillway cut in rock with a concrete weir 400 feet long. The weir's crest elevation is 20 feet lower than the top of the dam. The dam also has an 800-foot-long, four-foot diameter gated concrete conduit used specifically for water supply purposes. Additional Littleville Lake contains a 275-acre water supply pool that has a maximum depth of 90 feet. Information: The flood storage area of the project totals 510 acres and extends 3.7 miles upstream, princi- pally through the town of Chester. This area is normally empty and utilized only to store flood- waters. The lake and all associated lands cover 1579 acres. Littleville Lake can store up to 7.49 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 8.2 inches of water covering its drainage area of 52.3 square miles. There is a small picnic area at the dam with three picnic tables, three fireplaces, and parking and sanitary facilities. There are two boat ramps-one at the dam, the other (for canoes only) at the Dayville Recreation Area, about seven miles from the dam (boating is limited to canoes, sailboats, and 10 horsepower motors). There is a snowmobile trail, and cross-country skiing and ice skating are permitted. Littleville Lake is one of the most popular fishing areas in western Massachusetts. The lake offers cold water fishing for state-stocked rainbow and brown trout. Stream fishing for state- stocked brook, brown and rainbow trout is also available along one and one-half miles of the Middle Branch of the Westfield River. Ice fishing is permitted. Littleville Lake offers in-season hunting of native deer, wild turkey, and small game, such as squirrels and partridge. 72 Littleville Lake 73 Tully Lake Location: The dam at Tully Lake in Royalston lies across the East Branch of the Tully River. From Athol, it can be reached travelling three miles north on Route 32. Purpose: In conjunction with Birch Hill Dam, Tully Lake provides flood protection to Athol, Orange, and other communities on the Millers River Tully Lake also helps to reduce damages along the main stern of the Connecticut River Since construction of Tully Lake was completed, the dam has prevented $19.3 million in flood damages. History: Construction of the dam was initiated in March 1947 and completed in September 1949. Routes 32 and 68 and a power transmission line were relocated. The cost of the project was $1.7 million. Description, Tully Lake consists of an earthfillI dam with stone slope protection 1570 feet long and 62 feet high; a gated concrete circular tunnel 274 feet long with a diameter of six feet; and a con- crete chute spillway cut in rock with a 255-foot concrete weir The weir's crest elevation is 16 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional Tully Lake contains a recreation pool that fluctuates seasonally. From the spring until the Information: fall, the lake has a maximum depth of 16 feet and covers 300 acres. From fall to spring, the pool is drawn down to a depth of 11 feet and covers 78 acres. The flood storage area of the project totals 1140 acres and stretches into Athol. This area is empty most of the time and is utilized only to store floodwaters. The lake and all associated project lands cover 1263 acres. Tully Lake can store up to 7.17 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equiv- alent to 8&3 inches of water covering its drainage area of 50 square miles. The main recreational attraction at Tully Lake is the Tully Lake Camping Area, a small back- pack camping facility. Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Man- agement, the Tully Lake Camping Area has 20 tent sites, hot showers, and parking and sani- tary facilities. The project has two picnic areas. The first, at the overlook on top of the dam, contains two picnic tables and two grills. The second, located immediately below the dam, has 10 picnic tables, five grills, a boat ramp, and sanitary and parking facilities. Canoes, row- boats, sailboats, and boats with electric motors are permitted on Tully Lake and Long Pond, which is situated on project lands immediately north of Tully Lake. Reservoir lands are also used for hiking and cross-country skiing. Tully Lake and Long Pond offer warm water fishing for native bass, pickerel, and bullhead. Ice fishing is permitted on Tully Lake. The East Branch of the Tully River provides stream fish- ing and is stocked by the state with rainbow trout. There is hunting in-season for native pheasant, dear, and small game, such as rabbit. Although they are not on project lands, two nearby waterfall areas are popular with visitors -Doanes Falls on Lawrence Brook (accessible by car off Doane Hill Road) and Spirit Falls on Spirit Brook (accessible by canoe on Tully Lake or by hiking). 74 ~,o Tully Lake 75 West Hill Dam Location: West Hill Dam is located on the West River in Uxbridge, about 14 miles southeast of Worcester From Worcester, the dam can be reached by travelling 15 miles south on Route 122 to North Uxbridge, then east on Hartford Avenue. Purpose: The project provides substantial flood protection in communities along the West River in Massachusetts, including Uxbridge, Millville, and Blackstone, and along the Blackstone River in Rhode Island, including Woonsocket and Pawtucket. Since construction, West Hill Dam has prevented $20Q1 million in flood damages. History: The project was started in June 1959 and completed in June 1961, requiring the relocation of several town roads and utilities. The cost of construction was $2.3 million. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 2400 feet long and 48 feet high; four earthfill dikes with stone slope protection totalling 1910 feet in length with a maximum elevation of 14 feet; three gated conduits, each measuring five feet high, three feet wide, and 39 feet long; and a chute spillway cut in rock with a concrete weir 50 feet long. The weir's crest elevation is 18 feet lower than the top of the darn. Additional There is no lake at West Hill Dam. The flood storage area of the project covers 1025 acres Information: and extends about 4.7 miles upstream into Northbridge and Upton. This area is normally empty and is utilized only to store floodwaters. The project and all associated lands cover 1401 acres. West Hill Dam can store up to 4.04 billion gallons of water for flood control pur- poses. This is equivalent to 8.3 inches of water covering its drainage area of 279 square miles. There is a small natural pool at West Hill Dam that offers a beach area and swimming. The pool is approximately 1/2 acre and six feet deep. There is also a picnic area with 36 tables, 25 fireplaces, a change house, a hiking trail, drinking water, and parking and sanitary facilities. Cross-country skiing is permitted. There is stream fishing along two miles of the West River, which the state stocks with rain- bow, brook, and brown trout. Center Brook and other streams in the project area offer native bass, pickerel, and horned pout. Ice fishing is permitted. There is in-season hunting for state- stocked pheasant and native deer, wild turkey, partridge, squirrels, and rabbits. 76 West Hill Dam 77 Westville Lake Location: The dam at Westville Lake is situated on the Quinebaug River in the towns of Southbridge and Sturbridge, about 18 miles southwest of Worcester and 25 miles east of Springfield. From Sturbridge, the dam is two miles south on Route 131, right on West Street, right on South Street, right on Marjorie Road. Purpose: In conjunction with the dam at East Brimfield Lake, the dam at Westville Lake substantially reduces flood damages in Southbridge and Dudley, Massachusetts, and Putnam, Danielson, Jewett City, and Norwich, Connecticut. These communities are predominant industrial and business centers on the Quinebaug River. Westville Lake has prevented $12 million in flood damages. History: Construction of Westville Lake started in April 1960 and was completed in August 1962, costing $5.7 million. The project required the partial relocation of Route 15 (now U.S. Route 84); U.S. Route 20; Route 131; South Street in Southbridge and Mashapaug Road in Stur- bridge; and various pipelines, water supply facilities, and electric and telephone utility lines. Description: The project consists of an earthfill dam 560 feet long and 78 feet high; three gated rectan- gular conduits, each measuring six feet high, four feet wide, and 63 feet long; and a chute spillway founded on bedrock with a 200-foot-long weir The weir's crest elevation is 15 feet lower than the top of the dam. Additional Westville Lake contains a 23-acre recreation pool one-half mile long with a maximum depth Information: of 10 feet. The flood storage area of the project totals 913 acres and extends 6.4 miles upstream into the village of Fiskdale, a part of Sturbridge. This area is normally empty and is utilized only to store floodwaters. The lake and all associated project lands cover 1082 acres. Westville Lake can store up to 3.61 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 6.5 inches of water covering its drainage area of 99.5 square miles. Westville Lake has a large recreation area that offers 50 picnic tables, 25 fireplaces, two ball fields, a boat ramp for canoeing or sailing, drinking water, and parking and sanitary facili- ties. The lake is stocked by the state with trout, and supports native bass, pickerel, and perch. Ice fishing is permitted. The project also offers one mile of stream fishing along the Quine- baug River, which is stocked by the state with trout. In-season hunting is allowed in certain areas for native deer, pheasant, cottontail, rabbit, squirrel, ruffed grouse, and woodcock. 78 ~~~~; ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~' 2#~~~~~~~~~~O !Ran ~~ ~ K El~ 79i~~~~~~~~~~~~ A~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~E ~--'*i lE 4l-~~ tt- < lji,~~~~~Ivdlc L i k e ~ ~ ~ ~~~- 79 ~h AIu Hurricane Protection Barrier New Bedford 81 New Bedford Location: The New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier lies across New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor. It is approximately 50 miles south of Boston. Purpose: The project protects about 1400 acres in New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Acushnet from tidal flooding associated with hurricanes and coastal storms. This acreage is thickly settled with industrial and commercial properties, particularly along the waterfront and the shores of the Acushnet River. The area represents about 80 percent of land flooded in the September 1938 and August 1954 hurricanes, the latter storm causing $8.3 million in flood damages. Since completion, the project has prevented damage estimated at $4.2 million. History: Construction of the New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier began in October 1962 and was completed in January 1966, costing $18.6 million. The project required the relocation of power cables, modification of sewerage and drainage facilities, and acquisition of a small boat yard, several buildings, and about 36 acres of land. The city maintains the project, with the exception of the navigation gates and the barrier extending across New Bedford and Fair- haven Harbor, which are operated and maintained by the Corps. Description: The project is divided into three principal features: a barrier extending across New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor with an extension dike on the mainland; Clarks Cove Dike in New Bedford; and Fairhaven Dike. The barrier extending across the harbor consists of a 4500-foot-long earthfill dike with stone slope protection. The barrier has a maximum elevation of 20 feet and a 150-foot-wide gated opening to accommodate commercial and recreational navigation. It also has two gated conduits that are each nine feet high and six feet wide. The extension dike starts at the western end of the main dike and stretches for 4600 feet along Rodney French Boulevard East. It has a maximum elevation of 22 feet. The extension dike has three circular gated con- duits with diameters of two, three, and four feet, and a street gate on Rodney French Boule- vard East. Clarks Cove Dike consists of earthfill with stone slope protection. It is 5800 feet long and extends around the north and east sides of the cove, tying to high ground at both ends. On the north side the dike has a maximum elevation of 22 feet, and on the east side has a maxi- mum elevation is 23 feet. The dike also has street gates at Rodney French Boulevard West and Cove Road, and a pumping station. Fairhaven Dike consists of earthfill with stone slope protection. It starts at high ground near the foot of Lawton Street and runs easterly about 3100 feet, with a maximum elevation of 20 feet. The dike also has a four-foot-diameter gated conduit. (Information about New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor can be found on page 82). 82 The New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier protects about 1400 acres from tidalflooding associated with hurricanes and coastal storms. The top photo depicts the main barrier (including the navigation gates) extending across the harbor, with the extension dike bordering the mainland on the left. The bottom photo gives a closeup view ofthe navigation gates. 83 Local Protection Projects Adams Lowell Blackstone River, Blackstonie North Adams Bound Brook, Scituate North Nashua River, Fitchburg Canton Northampton Charles River Dam Riverdale, West Springfield Charles River Natural Valley Storage Saxonville Chicopee Smelt Brook, Weymouth and Braintree Chicopee Falls Springfield Gardner Three Rivers, Palmer Haverhill Ware Hayward Creek, Quincy and Braintree West Springfield Holyoke and Springdale West Warren Housatonic River, Pittsfield Worcester Little River Dike, Westfield 85 Adams Location: The Adams Local Protection Project is located along both banks of the Hoosic River in Adams, about 138 miles west of Boston and 45 miles northwest of Springfield. Purpose: The project protects industrial, commercial residential, and public property in Adams. It has prevented flood damages of $1.6 million. History: Construction of the project, built by the Corps! North Atlantic Division, began in June 1950 and was completed in May 1960 at a cost of $79 million. Project construction required the relocation of some utilities. It is operated and maintained by Adams. Description: The project extends along the Hoosic River from Lime Street to a point above Commercial Street, a distance of about 2.2 miles. and along Tophet Brook for a distance of 1300 feet. It consists of 3100 feet of earthfill dike; 4440 feet of concrete floodwall, with several hundred feet having stone slope protection; 6200 feet of paved concrete channel; a concrete weir near the Plunkett Dam; two drop structures; three pumping stations; and bridge reconstruction. The project also involved excavating this 2.2-mile reach of the Hoosic River channel. TheAdamsLocalProtec- tion Project, located along both banks ofthe Hoosic River is about 2.2 miles long and protects commercial res- idential, andpublic property. Theproject includes 3100 feet ofearthfill dike, 4440 feet ofconcretefloodwall, and channel excavation over the length oftheproject. 87 Blackstone River Location: The Blackstone River Local Protection Project is located along the right bank of the Black- stone River in Blackstone. Purpose: The project provides flood protection to the town hall, a courthouse, residential property, and a ball field. Since its completion, the project has prevented flood damages of $297,000. Of that amount, about $293,000, or 99 per cent, occurred during the heavy rains of April 1987. History: The project, constructed as an emergency flood control work, was built between August- December 1970 at a cost of $246,000. Town drainage facilities and a public works garage were removed. The project is operated and maintained by Blackstone. Description: The Blackstone River Local Protection Project consists of an earthfill dike with stone slope protection 863 feet long with a maximum height of seven feet. The dike ties into a previously constructed floodwall 180 feet downstream of the St. Paul Street Bridge and blends into a railroad embankment. Two 15-inch diameter concrete culverts extend through the dike to drain interior surface water 88 The Blackstone River Local Protection Project, shown above on the river's left bank, is an 863-foot-long earthfi l dike with stone slope protection. It protects a town hall, courthouse, residential property, and a ballfield. 89 Bound Brook, Scituate Location: The Bound Brook Local Protection Project is located on Bound Brook in Scituate. Purpose: The project reduces flood damages to residential, industrial, and commercial properties along Bound Brook. History: The snagging and clearing was completed between November-December 1973, costing $47,300Q It is a small project, failing under Section 208 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program, and is maintained by Scituate. Description: The work covered a 880-foot-long reach of Bound Brook. It included excavating and rea- ligning the channel; removing debris and boulders; and constructing 100 feet of stone slope protection. Excavated material was placed along the sides of the channel, covered with top- soil, and seeded. 90 The Bound Brook Local Protection Project (middle) reduces flood damages to residential, industrial, and commercial properties along Bound Brook. 91 Canton Location: The Canton Local Protection Project is located along the East Branch of the Neponset River in Canton. Purpose: The project provides flood protection by diverting potential floodwaters from the East Branch of the Neponset River around the Plymouth Rubber Company and several other com- mercial firms located along the riverbank. It has prevented flood damages of $3.5 million. History: Construction of the Canton Local Protection Project started in June 1962 and was com- pleted in July 1963, costing $274,000. It is a small project, built under Section 205 of the Con- tinuing Authorities Program, and is operated and maintained by Canton. Description: The project consists of a concrete dam 160 feet long with a maximum height of 80 feet located adjacent to the Plymouth Rubber Company dam; four concrete floodwalls totalling 181 feet located adjacent to the Plymouth Rubber Company dam and the Corps-built dam; a 1600-foot-long diversion channel below the Corps-built dam; an earthfill dike with stone slope protection along the right bank; stone slope protection along the left bank; a gated intake structure that controls the flow of processed water to the Plymouth Rubber Company; and a metal culvert two feet in diameter that drains interior surface water from the Plymouth Rubber Company. 92 The Canton Local Protection Project diverts potentialfloodwaters around the Plymouth Rubber Company and several other commercialfirms located along the East Branch of the Neponset River The project cost $274,000 to construct and has pre- ventedflood damages of $3.5 million. 93 Charles River Dam Location: The Charles River Dam Local Protection Project is located on the Charles River, between the Charlestown and North End sections of Boston. Purpose: This project provides flood protection to 2440 acres of urban property along the banks of the Charles River. Much of this property is located in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and the Back Bay, and is valued in excess of $500 million. Since its construction, the Charles River Dam has prevented flood damages of $27 million. The project also improves commercial and recreational navigation. History: The state first constructed a dam on the Charles River in 1910 to prevent tidal flooding of lowlands, sewers, and drains along the lower reach of the Charles River and to create a pool, or basin, that would cover unsightly tidal flats. However, the growth of metropolitan Boston in the ensuing years resulted in the conversion of many open areas to development, increasing the amount of runoff into the Charles River Basin. Consequently, the dam became inadequate to meet flood control and navigation needs and could not be economically modified. Preconstruction of the Charles River Dam Local Protection Project was initiated in November 1972 with the removal of the Warren Street Bridge. The major contract for con- struction of the dam was awarded in February 1974. The project was completed in May 1978 at a cost of $61.3 million. Situated about 2250 feet downstream of the old Charles River Dam, the new dam is operated and maintained by the Metropolitan District Commission. Description- The project consists of an earthfill and concrete dam with stone slope protection stretching between Boston and Charlestown. The dam is 400 feet long with an elevation of 12.5 feet above mean sea level. The connecting pumping station is 190 feet long and 122 feet high and contains six pumps. There are three navigation locks for commercial and recreational vessels. Two of the locks, for small recreational craft, each measure 200 feet long, 22 feet wide, and eight feet deep. The third lock, 40 feet wide, 300 feet long, and 17 feet deep, accommodates commercial vessels, large recreational boats, and the overflow of small craft during peak days. Additional The project also incorporates a boat facility for the Metropolitan District Commission Information: Police, a small plaza park, a visitors center, and a fish ladder that helps restore fish to the river The growth of metropolitan Boston and the resulting pollution greatly decreased the amount of fish spawning in the upper reaches of the river The ladder provides a passage for several species of fish, principally shad, alewife, smelt, and blue-back herring, to migrate up the Charles River and spawn in fresh water The Charles River Dam has been honored with several architectural awards, most notably a Presidential Award for Design Excellence. 94 Protecting 2440 acres of urban property along the banks of the Charles River, the Charles River Dam has already prevented flood damages of more than $15.1 million since it was completed in May 1978. The dam has won several architectural awards, including a PresidentialAwardfor Design Excellence in a competition sponsored by the National Endowmentfor the Arts. 95 Charles River Natural Valley Storage Location: The Charles River Natural Valley Storage areas lie throughout 16 eastern Massachusetts communities in the middle and upper areas of the Charles River. Purpose: The Charles River extends inland from Boston Harbor and meanders for 80 miles to Hop- kinton, a straight distance of about 30 miles. Thousands of acres of undeveloped wetlands, which normally appear dry, lie along the river and form a natural reservoir that store flood- waters in times of excess precipitation. These wetlands make up huge volumes of natural storage that soak up water like sponges. Potential development on these wetland areas threatened to eliminate the storage area of the natural reservoir If development had been left unchecked, floodwaters that would normally settle in the natural water storage area would rush downstream, causing flood damage to existing development in the lower reaches of the river. The natural valley storage areas reduce flood levels by retaining this excess water. If the severe flooding that occurred in the region during August 1955 were to happen today, the nat- ural valley storage areas would prevent over $13 million in flood damages. More recently, in April 1987, heavy rains posed a serious flood threat to communities along the Charles River. The natural valley storage areas stored a considerable amount of the Charles River's poten- tially damaging floodwaters and prevented damages of $3.2 million. History: A 1972 study of the Charles River watershed showed a need to protect the natural valley storage areas from further development. The study recommended that the federal govern- ment purchase and preserve these lands as a viable means of flood control. The Corps pur- chased the first acres in May 1977 and made its most recent acquisition in September 1983. Resolutions to acquire remaining lands are continuing. To date, the Corps has purchased land in 17 different areas at a cost of $9 million. Description: The Charles River Natural Valley Storage areas total 8101 acres. These lands are located in Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Franklin, Holliston, Needham, Sherborn, Bellingham, Dedham, Dover, Medway, Newton, Wrentham, Walpole, Natick, and Boston (Note: Although there are no storage lands in Cambridge, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, and Weston, the Charles River Natural Valley Storage areas protect land and property in these communities also). The watershed of the Charles River covers 307 square miles. Additional In addition to its primary purpose of flood damage reduction, project lands are used for rec- Information: reation and fish and wildlife management. Hiking, canoeing, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and cross country skiing are some of the more popular activities. Of the 8101 total acres, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife manages 2640 acres affecting nine parcels. THE NONSTRUCTURAL APPROACH The Charles River Valley Natural Storage Project on the 19th century idea that land's only function is to permit Charles River is one of the largest and most successful its owner to make maximum profit. Whereas the tradi- applications of the nonstructural approach to flood tional answer to the question, 'Why regulate land use?' control. was 'To maximize land values,' the new answer is By purchasing these lands, the Corps has effectively becoming 'To make the best use of our land resources.' prevented any development on them. Instead of build- (This is) a far cry from the simple value maximization ing a dam after the natural water storage area had been concepts of early real estate interests.... affected by private development, the Corps bought the "The goal of long-range enhancement of land values land in order to preserve the natural storage area. is replacing a system aimed solely at increasing the Recognizing the value floodplains have in our soci- short-run value and salability of land. The interest of the ety, the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality said in its general public and of future generations is no longer 1973 Annual Report: "The movement is away from the ignored..." 96 The Charles River Natural Valley Storage areas consist ofseveral thousand acres of undeveloped wetlands which lie along the river and form a natural reservoir that store potentially damaging flood- waters. As the Charles River expands duringperiods of heavy rainfall, the dry areas on either side ofthe river retain the excess water, pre- venting itfrom rushing downstream and causing damage to existing development. 97 Chicopee Location: The Chicopee Local Protection Project extends along the east bank of the Connecticut River and along both banks of the Chicopee River~ Purpose: The project protects large, highly developed areas of the city that suffered severe flood damage during March 1936. It has prevented flood damages of $10.9 million. History: Construction of the project began in March 1939 and ended in July 1941, costing $1.7 mil- lion. It is operated and maintained by Chicopee. Description: The completed works consist of 22,200 feet of earthf ill dike; 6100 feet of concrete flood- wallIs; six pumping stations; and three stoplog structures. The Chicopee Local Protection Project has upper and lower sections. The upper section consists mostly of earthfill dike that starts at Leslie Street and extends along the east bank of the Connecticut River, up the north bank of the Chicopee River, and ends at Bertha Avenue. There are pumping stations at Call Street, Jones Ferry, Paderewski Avenue, and Bertha Ave- nue, and a stoplog structure at the Boston and Maine Railroad. In the lower section, the project starts about 1200 feet from the Davitt Memorial Bridge and extends along the Chicopee River to Depot Street and the railroad. These works include earthfill dike and concrete floodwall, a pumping station, and two stoplog structures. 98 Although it cost only $1.9 million to construct, the Chico- pee Local Protection Project has already preventedflood damages of $10.9 million. The project includes an earthfill dike that extends along the east bank of the Connecticut River (lower bank in top photo). The dike also protects a sew- age treatment plant (left). The dike runs along the left side of the plant and underneath the Massachusetts Turnpike. Chicopee Falls Location: The Chicopee Falls Local Protection Project is located primarily along the east bank of the Chicopee River in the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee. Purpose: The project, in conjunction with the Barre Falls and Conant Brook Dams, provides flood protection for a heavily industrialized area of the city. It has prevented flood damages of $815,000. History: Construction began in October 1963 and was completed in July 1965, costing $2.6 million. Chicopee is responsible for operating and maintaining the project. Description: The project extends from the Deady Memorial Bridge to a point downstream of the former U.S. Rubber Company plant. It consists of two earthfill dikes, 740 and 2880 feet long, respec- tively, that have a maximum height of 28 feet; two concrete floodwalls, 557 and 863 feet long, that have a maximum height of 39 feet; and pumping stations at Main Street and Oak Street. The project also involved widening, deepening, and straightening about 3300 feet of the Chi- copee River. 100 An earthfill dike (above) anda con- cretefloodwall (right) have helped the Chicopee Falls Local Protection Project preventflood damages of$815,000. 101 Gardner Location: The Gardner Local Protection Project is located on Mahoney Brook and Greenwood Brook, both near Wrights Reservoir, in an industrial section of Gardner. Purpose: The improvement affords flood protection to industrial and commercial firms on Green- wood Brook downstream of Wrights Reservoir, and Mahoney Brook downstream of Wayside Pond. It has prevented flood damages of $324,000, all of which came from the heavy rains of April 1987. History: Work on the project began in August in 1964 and was completed in October 1965 at a cost of $511,000. Gardner operates and maintains the project. Description: The project consists of several different structures situated at various points. There is a 935-foot-long earthfill dam with a 60-foot-long gated concrete spillway cut in rock, a 160-foot- long earthfill dike, and outlet works all at the north end of Wrights Reservoir. A 970-foot-long earthfill dike is situated along the western shore of Wrights Reservoir. A 360-foot-long earthfill dike and 45-foot-long concrete spillway are located on the west side of Mahoney Pond. A fourth dike, 270 feet long, is located along Mahoney Brook downstream from the Mahoney Pond spillway. A 320-foot-long earthfill dike and three pipe culverts are located at Wayside Pond. The project also involved deepening, widening, and realigning about 700 feet of Mahoney Brook channel downstream of Mahoney Pond; placing stone slope protection along the banks; and removing several obstructions in Mahoney Brook channel. 102 The Gardner Local Protection Project protects an industrial section ofthe city. Two oftheprojectsfeatures are a 935-foot- long earthfill dam (top) at the north end of Wrights Reservoir, and a 970-foot-long earthfill dike (bottom) along Wrights Reser- voirs western shore. 103 Location: The Haverhill Local Protection Project is located along the Merrimack River in Haverhill. Purpose: The project provides flood protection to commercial, residential, and public property in Haverhill. It has prevented damages of $5.2 million, including $3.1 million during the heavy rains of April 1987 History: Construction began in January 1937 and was completed in March 1938, costing $1.9 mil- lion. Drainage works and power lines were relocated to accommodate the project. It is oper- ated and maintained by Haverhill. Description: The project consists of a gated concrete floodwall, a rectangular concrete conduit on the Little River, and a pumping station. The 30-foot-high concrete floodwall starts on the left bank of the Merrimack River at the Main Street Bridge and extends upstream for about 2250 feet. The Little River conduit, which prevents Merrimack River floodwaters from backing up the Little River and inundating indus- trial property behind the floodwall, extends 2000 feet from the Merrimack River to the railroad bridge. It is 16 feet wide and 16 feet high. 104 These two views of the Haverhill Local Protection Project show how the concretefloodwall provides flood protection to com- mercial, residential, and public property along the Merrimack River Thefloodwall is 30feet high and about 2250feet long. 105 Hayward Creek, Braintree And Quincy Location: The Hayward Creek Local Protection Project is located on Hayward Creek in Braintree and Quincy. Purpose: The project provides flood protection to about 16 acres of predominantly commercial and industrial properties in Quincy and Braintree, in the vicinity of West Howard Street and Quincy Avenue. The protected area includes part of the former Quincy Shipyard. Since its comple- tion, the project has prevented flood damages of $556,000, all of which came during the heavy rains of April 1987. History: Construction began in March 1977 and was completed in August 1978 at a cost of $2.6 mil- lion. It is operated and maintained by Braintree and Quincy. Description: The project consists of: -An earthfill dike 100 feet long with a maximum elevation of 27 feet at the southeast corner of Hayward Pond; -A concrete floodwall 150 feet long with a maximum elevation of 27 feet constructed at the centerline of the aforementioned dike; -An earthfill dam upstream of the upper end of Hayward Pond 320 feet long and 15 feet high; -An earthfill dike 40 feet long and five feet high built across Echo Creek that diverts Echo Creek into the wetlands; and -A 2800-foot-long reinforced concrete pipe conduit system that conveys flows from Hay- ward Creek to Fore River. The project also involved increasing the height of the existing Hayward Pond Dam by four feet to 25.5 feet, and clearing, deepening, and widening 720 feet of the Hayward Creek chan- nel from the Hayward Pond outlet to West Howard Street, near the Quincy-Braintree town line Important to the success of the project are the preservation of upstream wetlands and a 33-acre natural greenbelt area adjacent to Hayward Pond. 106 About 16 acres ofpredominantly commercial and industrial properties in Quincy and Braintree are protected by the Hay- ward Creek Local Protection Project. The projects 320-foot-long earthfill dam is on the bottom right. The 100-foot-long earthfill dike is at thefar right ofthe pond, a closer look will reveal the top ofthe concretefloodwall, constructed at the dikes centerline. The Hayward Pond Dam, which the Corps raised byfourfeet, lies adjacent to the roadway on the left. 107 Holyoke And Springdale Location: The Holyoke and Springdale Local Protection Project is located along the west bank of the Connecticut River in Holyoke. Purpose: The project provides flood protection to about 230 acres of industrial, commercial, residen- tial, and public property. It has prevented damages of $12.7 million. History: Construction of the project's first two sections began in December 1938 and were com- pleted in October 1940, costing $3.6 million. Construction of the third section started in April 1947 and was completed in February 1950, costing $700,000. Holyoke operates and maintains the project. Description, The project consists of three sections. The first section, extending from the dam of the Holyoke Water Power Company to high ground near Mosher Street, includes about 400 feet of earthfill dike and 5600 feet of concrete floodwall along the Connecticut River The second section, extending from high ground near Appleton Street to the Springdale Dike, consists of about 10,500 feet of concrete floodwallI along the Connecticut River and both banks of the third-level power canal, part of a complex power canal system that serves local industries. The third section involved the reconstruction of the existing Springdale Dike (not originally builIt by the Corps). Springdale Dike extends about 4200 feet along the Connecticut River and ties into high ground south of Riverside Park. In addition to dikes and floodwalls, construction also included 18 stoplog structures at openings in the concrete floodwalls; seven pumping stations to dispose of interior drainage from behind the dikes and floodwalls; and 20 gate structures at inlet and outlet works to keep out high water from the Connecticut River 108 About 230 acres of industrial, residential, and public property are protected by the Holyoke and Springdale Local Protection Project, located along the west bank of the Connecticut River Above, several hundredfeet ofconcretefloodwall (partially hidden by trees) winds its way around the riverbank. Right, the dam of the Holyoke Water Power Company (top) marks the start ofthe project. Thefloodwall (partially hidden by trees and industry) runs along the Connecticut Rivers left bank. 109 Housatonic Rimer Pittsfield Location: The Housatonic River Local Protection Project is located on the north bank of the Housa- tonic River's southwest branch in Pittsfield. The project site is at Clapp Park where the Conrail Railroad crosses the river purpose- The project reduces flood damages to approximately 60 industrial and commercial struc- tures adjacent to the southwest branch of the Housatonic River. History: Construction of the project started in November 1982 and was completed in November 1983, costing $739,000. It is a small project, built under Section 205 of the Continuing Author- ities Program. It is maintained by the city. Description: The project consists of three concrete culverts, each with a diameter of eight feet, that sup- plement the existing stone arch culvert under the Conrail Railroad embankment. The project also included deepening and widening approximately 3500 feet of the Housatonic River 110 The Housatonic River Local Protection Project in Pittsfield reduces flood damages to approximately 60 industrial and commercial structures. The project consists ofthree eight-foot diameter concrete culverts that help support the existing stone arch culvert under the Conrail Railroad embankment. The project also involved deepening and widening approximately 3500feet of the Housatonic River. 111 Little River Dike, Westfield Location: The Little River Dike Local Protection Project is located along the Little River in Westfield. Purpose: The dike protects several commercial and industrial buildings located along Ponders Hol- low Road. History: The Little River Dike was originally constructed as part of the Corps' recovery operations following the destructive floods of August 1955. In March 1983, heavy flooding caused ero- sion damage along a 500-foot stretch of the dike near the Strathmore Paper Company. Repairs to the dike were made during July-September 1984 and cost $185,000. Description: The original project consisted of a 2500 foot-long dike along the northern bank of the Little River Repairs included rebuilding and reshaping the dike using fill and stone slope protection. 112 Heavy flooding in March 1983 caused erosion damage along the Little River Dike in Westfield Repairs by the Corps included rebuilding and reshaping the dike. 113 Lowell Location: The Lowell Local Protection Project is located on the north bank of the Merrimack River in Lowell. Purpose: The project protects 120 acres of urban land in two principal sections of the city-Lakeview and Rosemont. Since its completion, it has prevented flood damages of $1 million. History: Work on the Merrimack River in Lowell actually began in the mid-1930s, when Works Prog- ress Administration funds were used to straighten and lower the channel by removing sand- bars and other obstructions. The spoil was used to form two dikes at Beaver Brook and Rosemont Terrace. These dikes offer limited protection and are not considered part of the present project. Construction of the present project started in October 1941 and was com- pleted in June 1944 at a cost of $581,000. It is operated and maintained by Lowell. Description: One section of the project protects the Lakeview area, the other section protects the Rosemont area. Work in the Lakeview section starts at the Bridge Street Bridge and extends upstream along the right bank of the Merrimack River to the Aiken Bridge. This part of the project con- sists of 2700 feet of earthfill dike, 880 feet of concrete floodwall, and the West Street pumping station, which carries the flow of sanitary and storm waters through the dike during high river stages. Work in the Rosemont section begins near the mouth of Beaver Brook and extends along the brook's right bank to a point near Bachman Street and the Lowell-Dracut town line. About 720 feet of earthfill dike and 874 feet of concrete floodwall were constructed in Rose- mont. A pumping station at Beaver Street, originally built as part of the project, was removed in 1982 when the city modified its sewer system. 114 The Lowell Local Protection Project runs along the north bank (left bank, top photo) ofthe Merrimack River and protects 120 acres of urban land. The bottom photo shows a section of the earthfill dike (partially hidden by brush) along the riverbank. The West Street pumping station, which carries storm waters through the dike during high river stages, is the solitary building on the riverbank in the center of the bottom photo. Since its completion, the Lowell Local Protection Project has preventedflood damages of$1 million. 115 North Adams Location: The North Adams Local Protection Project is located in North Adams along the main stem of the Hoosic River, the North Branch of the Hoosic River, and the South Branch of the Hoosic River. The city is about 50 miles northwest of Springfield. Purpose: The project affords flood protection to about 85 percent of the city's industrial and com- mercial firms and about 25 percent of the residential property. Since its completion, it has pre- vented $8.1 million in flood damages. History: Construction of the project, built by the Corps' North Atlantic Division, began in July 1950 and was completed in May 1961 at a cost of $18.8 million. Town roads, utilities, and Boston and Maine railroad tracks were relocated to accommodate the project. It is operated and maintained by North Adams. Description: The North Adams Local Protection Project is spread over 30,090 feet of the Hoosic River's main stem and its North and South Branches. Work along the Hoosic River's main stem stretches about 13,400 feet from the junction of the North and South Branches, through Braytonville, to a point downstream of the Barber Leather Company, in the vicinity of the North Adams Sewage Treatment Plant. It consists of 4000 feet of earthfill dikes; 3840 feet of concrete floodwalls; 400 feet of paved concrete chan- nel; 12,540 feet of strengthened riverbank with stone slope protection; three concrete weirs; two drop structures; excavation of the entire (13,400 feet) channel; the removal of the old Bray- tonville and Brown Street Bridges and the construction of new bridges; the reconstruction of the Greylock Bridge and the partial construction of the Phelps Avenue Footbridge; and the removal of the Massachusetts Avenue and the Phelps Avenue Bridges. The project along the Hoosic River's North Branch extends from the Lower Beaver Street Bridge to the junction of the North and South Branches, a distance of about 9270 feet. This work includes 1922 feet of concrete floodwall; 1013 feet of paved concrete channel; 5340 feet of strengthened riverbank with stone slope protection; a 100-foot-long concrete weir; excava- tion of 8200 feet of the North Branch; the removal of a federal dam and the Windsor Print Works Dam; the reconstruction of the Eclipse Dam and the replacement of the Hoosac Cot- ton Mill Dam; and the construction of abutments for the Upper Union Street, Lower Union Street, Eagle Street, and Marshall Street Bridges. Work on the Hoosic River's South Branch covers an 8100-foot-long area. It involved con- structing 714 feet of concrete floodwall, 5510 feet of earthfill dike, 3225 feet of strengthened riverbank with stone slope protection, and 1737 feet of paved access road; excavating 8100 feet of the South Branch channel; reconstructing the Main Street Bridge and a portion of the Curran Memorial Highway; altering the Sprague Electric Company Bridge; altering and relocating the Sprague Electric Company Upstream Bridge; raising the Boston and Maine railroad bridge; constructing an access road and bridge; and removing the Johnson and Phoenix Dams. 116 TheNorth Adams LocalProtection Project isspread over 30,090feet oftheHoosicRivers main stem and its North and South Branches. Work along the North Branch (top left) includes 5340feet ofstrengthened riverbank with stone slope protection. Work along the rivers main stem (top right) involved the construction of3840feet ofconcretefloodwalls and 12,540feet ofstrengthened riverbank with stone slopeprotection. Work on the Hoosic Rivers South Branch (bottom) includes 5510feet of earthfill dike. 117 North Nashua Rimer Fitchburg Location: The North Nashua River Local Protection Project is located on the North Nashua River in Fitchburg. Purpose: The project safeguards 50 acres of industrial, commercial, and residential property in Fitch- burg. Along with other flood damage reduction projects in the river basin, the North Nashua River Local Protection Project protects 2800 acres of highly-valued property The project has prevented flood damages of $5 million. History: Work along a 4.4-mile reach of the North Nashua River in Fitchburg was originally com- pleted in 1937, when Works Progress Administration funds were used to enlarge and realign the channel, remove abandoned dams, and construct concrete walls and stone slope protec- tion. Emergency repairs were made to this work following the disastrous floods of 1955. Although this work included removing debris in the channel and restoring the riverbanks, it was considered temporary. The project eventually deteriorated until it was no longer able to fulfill its design function. Work on rebuilding the project to its original capacity started in July 1979 and was completed in May 1981, costing $3.2 million. It is operated and maintained by Fitchburg. Description: The rebuilt project included clearing and deepening the North Nashua River channel, removing two bridge piers and the partially washed out Syphon Dam, and rehabilitating the slopes, riverbanks, and existing floodwalls. The work covers a five-mile stretch of the river 118 The North Nashua River Local Protection Project saje- guards 50 acres of industrial, commercial, and residential property in Fitchburg. Work included rehabilitating the rivers slopes (top), the existingfloodwalls (left and above), and clearing and deepening the North Nashua River channel (all photos). The project covers a five-mile stretch of the river 119 Northampton Location: The Northampton Local Protection Project is located on the west bank of the Connecticut River in Northampton. Purpose: The project protects Northampton from Mill River flooding and, in conjunction with upstream reservoirs, from Connecticut River flooding. It has prevented damages of $3.6 million. History: Construction began in March 1939 and was completed in June 1941 at a cost of $1.1 million. Grove Street was closed and a portion of Earle Street was relocated. The project is operated and maintained by Northampton. Description: The project diverts the Mill River through a canal to Ox Bow Lake and is divided into east- ern and western sections. The eastern part of the project protects the city against Connecticut River flooding. It con- sists of a 5000-foot-long dike with a maximum height of 23 feet that starts from high ground at the intersection of Pomeroy Terrace and Hancock Streets. The dike then crosses Meadow Street, Hockanum Road, the Mill River, and U.S. Route 5 before ending about 500 feet west of U.S. Route 5. A pumping station behind the dike near the Mill River removes interior storm water when the river is at high stages. Stoplog structures were constructed where the dike crosses U.S. Route 5 and the Boston & Maine Railroad. The western part of the project protects Northampton against Mill River flooding. An earth- fill dike, with a maximum height of 16 feet, begins at high ground near Paradise Pond and extends for 1100 feet along the east bank of the Mill River to West Street. A 450-foot-long concrete floodwall with a maximum height of 21 feet runs between West Street and the railroad tracks. From the tracks to high ground at Hebert Avenue there is a 900-foot-long earthfill dike with a maximum height of 25 feet. This last section of dike serves as a dam and allows the Mill River to be diverted into a 10,500-foot-long diversion canal, which carries the river to Oxbow Lake. The project also included construction of a concrete bridge and drop structure where the diversion canal crosses South Street; a smaller concrete bridge at Old Springfield Road near the point where the diversion canal empties into Ox Bow Lake; three stoplog structures; and other drainage features. 120 The Northampton Local Protection Project, which cost $1.1 million to construct, has prevented damages of $3.6 million. Thesephotos show the eastern part ofthe project, which consists ofa 5000-foot-long dike with a maximum height of23feet. 121 Riverdale, West Springfield Location: The Riverdale Local Protection Project is located along more than two miles of the Con- necticut River's west bank in West Springfield. Purpose: The project protects 450 acres of highly developed industrial, commercial, public, and resi- dential areas. The Riverdale Local Protection Project has prevented $19.8 million in flood damages since 1979 (Prior to 1979, flood damage prevention figures for this project and the adjacent West Springfield Local Protection Project were calculated together and not individu- ally). The Riverdale Local Protection Project and the West Springfield Local Protection Project (page 134) have together, since their completion, prevented a total of $233.4 million in flood damages. History: The area suffered almost $500,000 total damage from the floods of March 1936 and Sep- tember 1938. Construction of the project started in April 1949 and was completed in December 1950 at a cost of $1.2 million. West Springfield operates and maintains the project. Description: The project consists of a 12,700-foot-long earthf ill dike with stone slope protection and a maximum elevation of 20 feet. The dike starts near the intersection of U.S. Route 5 and Brush Hill Avenue and extends in an egg-shaped curve downstream along the south bank of Gol- dine Brook, downstream along the west bank of the Connecticut River, and upstream along the north bank of Bagg Brook to high ground near Morgan Road. Construction included three stoplog structures and the Wayside and Riverdale pumping stations, which remove interior drainage from behind the dikes. 122 The Riverdale Local Protection Project in West Springfield lies along more than two miles of the Connecticut River s west bank (far side of river). The 12,700-foot-longearthfill dike protects 450 acres of highly developed industrial, commercial, public, and residential areas. 123 Saxonville Location: The Saxonville Local Protection Project is located along the Sudbury River in the Saxon- ville section of Framingham. Purpose: The project protects about 23 acres of industrial, commercial, and residential properties along the left bank of the Sudbury River Since its completion, the Saxonville Local Protection Project has prevented flood losses of about $6.4 million. Of that amount, $3.3 million, or 51 percent, came during the heavy rains of April 1987. History: Construction began in March 1977 and was completed in September 1979 at a cost of $4.75 million. The project is operated and maintained by Framingham. Description: The project extends from Saxonville Pond Dam at Central Street to the Danforth Street Bridge, a distance of about 3800 feet. It consists of 2500 feet of earthfill dikes with stone slope protection, 1340 feet of concrete floodwalls, a vehicular floodgate at Concord Street, and a pumping station. Construction included straightening a 1000-foot section of the Sud- bury River upstream of the Danforth Street Bridge. 124 Although only completed in September 1979, the Saxonville Local Protection project has alreadypreventedflood losses of $6.4 million. Protecting 23 acres of industrial, commercial, and residential property, the project partially consists of concrete floodwalls and 2500feet ofearthfill dike. 125 Smelt Brook, Braintree and Weymouth Location: The Smelt Brook Local Protection Project is located on Smelt Brook in Braintree and Wey- mouth in an area commonly called Weymouth Landing. Purpose: The project provides flood protection to eight acres of highly developed land that was sub- ject to periodic flooding from Smelt Brook. This area includes over 40 commercial busi- nesses and a portion of Route 53. The project has prevented flood damages of $824,000, all of which occurred during the heavy rains of April 1987 History: Construction began in July 1974 and was completed in May 1976 at a cost of $1.8 million. The project is operated and maintained by the Weymouth-Braintree Regional Recreation Conservation Commission. Description: The project consists of a small concrete dam and outlet works at Pond Meadow Lake that maintain a permanent lake of 19 acres; an earthfill dike 300 feet long and five feet high adja- cent to Pond Meadow Lake; widening, deepening, and straightening 800 feet of the channel at the lower end of Smelt Brook near the Monatiquot River; and a 1140-foot-long reinforced concrete conduit eight feet in diameter that conveys Smelt Brook through Weymouth Land- ing's business district. The project also includes a fish gate that allows rainbow smelt to swim from the ocean into Smelt Brook to spawn. This fish makes an annual spawning run from its home in marine estuaries to fresh water streams and brooks. 126 The Smelt Brook Local Protection Project safeguards eight acres of highly developed land, including over 40 com- merciai businesses and a portion of Route 53. The top photo shows the con- crete dam (bottom ofphoto) at the head of Pond Meadow Lake that maintains the lake at 19 acres. The 300-foot-long earthfill dike lies adjacent to the dam on the left. The right photo shows a section of Smelt Brook that was widened, deep- ened, andstraightened. A 1140-foot-long reinforced concrete conduit conveys Smelt Brook under Weymouth Land- ings business district, seen in the right photo. 127 Springfield Location: The Springfield Local Protection Project is located along approximately five miles of the Connecticut River's east bank in Springfield. Purpose: The project protects two low areas totalling 820 acres located in the northern and southern sections of the city These areas house railroad, industrial and commercial property, as well as numerous small commercial buildings and residences. Since its completion, it has pre- vented damages of $51.9 million. History: The project was constructed in various segments, beginning in December 1938 and ending in December 1948. The total cost of the project was $937,000. It is operated and maintained by Springfield. Description: Divided into northern and southern sections, the project totals 18,000 feet in length. The northern section starts about 3000 feet north of the Chicopee-Springfield city line and extends downstream on the Connecticut River to high ground near the Conrail bridge. The southern section begins at high ground south of Memorial Bridge and extends intermittently across low areas on the Connecticut River to high ground about 1000 feet upstream of the South End Bridge. Principal elements of the project include 3700 feet of earthfill dike, 8700 feet of earthfill dike capped with concrete floodwall, 5600 feet of concrete floodwall, and 1700 feet of concrete conduit that discharges the Mill River into the Connecticut River Construction also included five stoplog structures, a pumping station, and miscellaneous drainage structures that sup- plement the city-built drainage system. 128 - E Costing $937000 to construct, the Springfield Local Protection Project has already prevented damages of $51.9 million to 820 acres of industrial, residential, and commercial property Theproject includes 3700feet ofearthfill dike and 5600feet of concretefloodwall alongfive miles ofthe Connecticut River's east bank. Above, the dike andfloodwall are located on the right riverbank but are hidden by trees and brush. 129 Three Rivers, Palmer Location: The Three Rivers Local Protection Project is located in the village of Three Rivers in the town of Palmer The project is situated at the confluence of the Ware, Quaboag, and Chicopee Rivers. Purpose: In conjunction with the Barre Falls and Conant Brook Dams, the project provides a high degree of flood protection to 55 acres of residential, industrial, commercial, and public land in Three Rivers. Since its completion, it has prevented $1.5 million in flood damages. History: Construction started in January 1964 and was completed in May 1966 at a cost of $2.1 mil- lion. Palmer operates and maintains the project. Description: The project involved deepening and widening 5200 total feet of channel in the Ware, Qua- boag, and Chicopee Rivers; removing the Bridge Street Bridge and replacing it with a new bridge; removing a small dam; and modifying the Main Street Bridge and the existing railroad bridge. 130 About 55 acres of residential, commercial, and public land are safeguarded by the Three Rivers Local Protection Project in Palmer The project included deepening and widening 5200 totalfeet of channel in the Chicopee (left), Quaboag (center), and Ware (right) Rivers. 131 Ware Location: The Ware Local Protection Project extends along the Ware River and Muddy Brook in Ware. Purpose: In conjunction with Barre Falls Dam, the project provides flood protection to residential, commercial, industrial, and public property along the Ware River and Muddy Brook. Since its construction, it has prevented damages of $700,000. History: Starting in August 1958, the project was completed in March 1960 at a cost of $400,000. It is operated and maintained by Ware. Description: Construction of the project included: -Straightening, deepening, and widening 11,800 feet of the Ware River and 450 feet of Muddy Brook at its confluence with the Ware River; -Constructing a 950-foot-long earthfill dike at the Ware water pumping plant on Muddy Brook; -Constructing a 175-foot-long earthfill dike adjacent to St. Williams Cemetery; and -Removing the Malbeouf Road Bridge. 132 Costing $400,000 to construct, the Ware Local Protection Project has already preventedflood damages of $700,000. The project included straight- ening, deepening, and widening 11,800 feet ofthe Ware River (left), including a section that passes through a heavily developed area of the town (above). 133 West Springfield Location, The West Springfield Local Protection Project is located along two miles of the Connecti- cut River's west bank and almost three miles of the Westfield River's north bank in West Springfield. Purpose: The project protects about 1025 acres of highly developed industrial, commercial, public, and residential property The West Springfield Local Protection Project has prevented $161.3 million in flood damages since 1979 (Prior to 1979, flood damage prevention figures for this project and the adjacent Riverdale Local Protection Project were calculated together and not individually). The West Springfield Local Protection Project and the Riverdale Local Protec- tion Project (page 122) have together, since their completion, prevented a total of $233.4 million in flood damages. History: The West Springfield area was heavily damaged in the March 1936 flood when existing dikes built by the town were overtopped, undermined, and eroded. The Corps' project, which began in March 1939 and was completed in July 1942, enlarged and rehabilitated the original dikes. Along with modifications performed in 1947-48 and 1952-53, the total cost of the project was $1.6 million. West Springfield operates and maintains the completed works. Description: The project starts at high ground in the vicinity of Harrison Place on the Connecticut River and extends downstream for 8500 feet. It then turns up the left bank of the Westfield River for 16,000 feet and ends on high ground at the Penn Central Railroad. The project involved raising 13,700 feet of the existing dikes, strengthening 2400 feet of riverbank with stone slope protec- tion, and constructing 2300 feet of concrete floodwall, three stoplog structures, and pumping stations at Warren Street, Bridge Street, and Circuit Avenue. Since its completion in July 1942, the Corps has twice modified the project. In 1947-48, 6100 feet of the old dike foundation was treated. Between August 1952 and July 1953, a relief well and drainage system was constructed. A third modification by the Corps is close to completion. This involves raising the concrete floodwalls by one foot and installing a flood forecasting and warning system. Work on the concrete floodwalls was completed during April-September 1984. The flood forecasting and warning system is scheduled to be completed during the fall of 1988& When completed, the cost of this third modification is estimated to be $220,000. 134 About 1025 acres of highly developed property is protected by the West Springfield Local Protection Project Part ofthe project includes an earthfill dike and concrete floodwall (partially hidden by trees) along the bank ofthe Connecticut River The Bridge Street pumping station is located on the riverbank to the right ofthe rotary 135 West Warren Location: The West Warren Local Protection Project is located along the Quaboag River near the center of Warren. Purpose: The project affords flood protection to the industrial complex along the left bank of the Quaboag River and industrial and railroad property along the right bank. It has prevented $100,000 in flood damages. History: Construction began in July 1962 and was completed in November 1963 at a cost of $430,000. The project was turned over to Warren for operation and maintenance. Description: The project covers a 1750-foot reach of the Quaboag River. It consists of 326 feet of con- crete floodwall; 122 feet of concrete floodwall with gated openings; two concrete buttress walls totalling about 420 feet that run along the inner sides of the aforementioned concrete walls; a 45-foot-long earthfill dike located at the upstream end of the project; an earthfill dike with stone slope protection located along the south bank of the river adjacent to the South Street Bridge abutment; and drainage facilities. The project also involved deepening and wid- ening 1250 feet of the Quaboag River; placing stone slope protection along 2245 feet of the riverbanks and 450 feet of the channel bottom; and replacing the South Street Bridge's north pier footings with concrete footings. 136 The West Warren Local Protection Project protects an industrial complex along the Quaboag River that suffered severe flood damagefrom the heavy rains ofAugust 1955 (top). The bottom photo shows how somefeatures ofthe project protect the complex, including stone slope protection along the riverbanks (center), concretefloodwall adjacent to the channel (top left), and the deepening and widening of the Quaboag River 137 Worcester Location: The Worcester Local Protection Project, also referred to as the Worcester Diversion Project, is located in Auburn and Millbury. Purpose: The project significantly reduces the threat of flooding in Worcester, where heavy flood losses have occurred to industrial, commercial, residential, and public property. Since its com- pletion, the Worcester Local Protection Project has prevented $6.8 million in flood damages. Of that amount, $3.1 million, or 45 percent, came during the heavy rains of April 1987 History: Construction started in July 1957 and was completed in January 1960 at a cost of $5.2 mil- lion. Worcester operates and maintains the project. Description: The project allows potential floodwaters originating in the Leesville Pond area to bypass Worcester by conveying them through a diversion tunnel to the Blackstone River These floodwaters would normally flow through seven miles of river channel adjacent to a heavily developed area of Worcester The project has several features, including: � A gated concrete control dam built across Kettle Brook. The darn is 180 feet long with a crest elevation of 492 feet. The control dam is located about 1.25 miles upstream of Leesville Pond Dam. * A 350-foot-long earthfill dike with stone slope protection that has a maximum elevation of 498 feet. � An ungated semicircular weir This structure, immediately upstream of the control dam, forms the entrance to the circular diversion tunnel and is 143 feet long with a maximum elevation of 487 feet. � A circular diversion tunnel. Measuring 4205 feet long and 16 feet in diameter, the tunnel runs under Pakachoag Hill to an open channel. The first 440 feet is built in earth, and the remainder is cut through rock. The entire length of the tunnel is lined in concrete. � An 11,300-foot-long open channel. Consisting of both earth and rock, the channel fol- lows the general alignment of Hull Brook and empties into the Blackstone River � Four highway bridges and a railroad bridge, all constructed across the open channel. The highway bridges are located at U.S. Route 20, Pinrock Road, the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Greenwood Street. The railroad bridge is located near the channel's junc- tion with the Blackstone River 138 Navigation The Corps has completed 50 navigation projects in Mase today's waterways has been constructed by the Corps sachusetts. These projects have improved rivers, bays, within the past 50 years. costing about $124 million. (More coves. and harbors that are used by commercial interests information on the navigational role of the Corps is available and the many recreational boaters that benefit from the on page 22). intricate and fascinating Massachusetts coastline. The following pages describe the Corps' navigation Work on many of the projects dates back to the early projects in Massachusetts. Depths given for channels and 19th century. However, much of the navigational work in anchorages are those at low tide. /ev'e'r!iv Hflarbw I u IIJ e.�fex 'i;'te/' by ( rechuin'�Jal boalters and commerciad petrleum .phip'elrl. 140 w ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~INS ~ RAW llg~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q~~~~~omain ~~~~~~~ K 4 zona-, Th hrete oclPrtcto Poec a arad reete 6. filoni -lo dmgf o naslia omirca, li re~~~identialpropcrtl, (toplcf~~~~~~~~~~~) huilt Brookandan~~u~+-- UM~af e d scmacuu ~% vi lpcnr hti-mtc nrnv( h fvintlml h umlrn~iee lkdn ill an (Po c hne (bto? which emiivit h Baki ie 7 ~~~*7+~~~~ -13 Navigation Projects in Massachusetts Andrews River Malden River Beverly Harbor Menemsha Creek Boston Harbor Merrimack River Buttermilk Bay Mystic River Canapitsit Channel Nantucket Harbor Cape Cod Canal New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor Cohasset Harbor Newburyport Harbor Cross Rip Shoals Plymouth Harbor Cuttyhunk Harbor Pollock Rip Shoals Dorchester Bay and Neponset River Provincetown Harbor Duxbury Harbor Rockport Harbor and Pigeon Cove Edgartown Harbor Salem Harbor Essex River Sandy Bay Fall River Harbor Scituate Harbor Falmouth Harbor Sesuit Harbor Gloucester Harbor and Annisquam River Stage Harbor, Chatham Green Harbor Taunton River Hingham Harbor Vineyard Haven Harbor Hyannis Harbor Wareham Harbor Ipswich River Wellfleet Harbor Island End River Westport River Kingston Harbor Weymouth Back River Lagoon Pond Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers Little Harbor, Woods Hole Winthrop Harbor Lynn Harbor Woods Hole Channel 141 Initial work in Beverly Harbor during the early 1900s pro- vided for an entrance channel 18 feet deep. The existing project, completed in 1927, consists of a one-mile-long channel, 24 feet deep and 200 feet wide, extending from deep water south of Mackerel Cove to the rock shoal near Essex Bridge (U.S. Route 1A). The channel width increases through the bends in the upper channel. Boston Harbor Boston Harbor is the largest seaport in New England and the principal distributing point for regional commerce. More than 87 percent of Boston Harbor commerce is the receipt and shipment of petroleum products. Principal com- mercial traffic consists of the import of distillate petroleum products, residual fuel oil, sugar, limestone, and lumber; the receipt and shipment of other petroleum products; and the export of iron and steel scrap. Initial work in Boston Harbor began shortly after the Civil War. The most recent work was completed in May 1966. The current project includes the harbor proper and four access channels: the Chelsea River, the Fort Point Channel, the South Boston Reserved Channel, and the Weir River at Nantasket Beach. They are described below. The Harbor Proper Work completed by the Corps in the harbor proper con- An increasing number of recreational boaters are enjoying sists of: the Corps'project on the Andrews River in Harwich, known � A six-mile-long, 40-foot-deep main channel extend- locally as Saquatucket Harbor and a popular resort area. ing from Massachusetts Bay, through Broad Sound, to the entrance of Mystic and Chelsea Rivers. The channel is 900-1100 feet wide from the sea, through Broad Sound, to President Roads. The channel is Andrews River 600 feet wide from President Roads to the entrance of Mystic and Chelsea Rivers. The Andrews River, known locally as Saquatucket Har- � A 35-foot-deep channel that runs parallel to, and on bor, is a small tidal stream on the south side of Cape Cod in the northerly side of, the aforementioned 40-foot- Harwich, about 85 miles southeast of Boston. It is situated deep channel. The 35-foot-deep channel is 600 feet immediately east of Wychmere Harbor and roughly midway wide and extends from the sea, through Broad between Harwichport and the Chatham town line. The Sound, to a point opposite the fish pier. Andrews River is located in a popular resort area and is � A two-mile-long, 35-foot-deep channel that extends home to a large recreational boating fleet. from an area abreast of Fort Point Channel to a point The project consists of an entrance channel six feet almost one mile past the Chelsea Street Bridge. The deep and 75 feet wide extending from deep water in Nan- channel, which has widths varying from 100 to 1000 tucket Sound to the vicinity of the state marina; two jetties feet, starts in the harbor in front of Fort Point Channel on the east and west sides of the harbor entrance; and a and adjacent to the 40-foot-deep channel. It extends three-acre maneuvering and anchorage basin six feet deep down the harbor parallel to the 40-foot channel, past adjacent to the marina. The project was completed in April the Mystic River Bridge, and ends at the General 1968. The west jetty was completed in May 1973. Andrew Pl McArdle Bridge at the entrance to the Chelsea River. The channel also splits at the Navy Yard and goes down the Charles River before ending BeverlyT Hearbor at the Charlestown Bridge. A two-mile-long channel 30 feet deep and 1200 feet Beverly Harbor in Beverly lies at the mouth of the wide from the sea through Broad Sound to President Danvers River, about 26 miles north of Boston. Beverly Har- Roads. This channel is situated south of the 35 and bor is a port for the receipt and shipping of commercial 40-foot-deep Broad Sound channels. petroleum. It is also used extensively by recreational � A three-mile-long channel 27 feet deep and 1000 feet boaters. wide extending from Nantasket Roads through the 142 The Fort Point Channel, part ofthe Boston Harbor project. Narrows to President Roads. Presidents Roads. The anchorage, 350 acres in area, * A 550-foot-long stub channel, 15 feet deep and 300 measures 6200 feet east to west and 2500 feet north feet wide, located at the northeast head of Long to south. Island in the vicinity of Nixes Mate Shoal. * A 35-foot-deep area lying west of the anchorage. * An approach channel (not originally built by the * Stone seawalls that protect the harbor's exposed Corps) to the former U.S. Navy Drydock Number 3 in headlands and islands. South Boston that was deepened to 40 feet. * A 40-foot-deep anchorage along the northern limit of Chelsea River Channel The percentage of traffic passing through the Chelsea River has been increasing over the past several years. A recent study indicated that 46 percent of the traffic in Bos- ton Harbor utilized the Chelsea River. , ~ ? Corps' work on the Chelsea River includes a main ship channel 1.8 miles long extending from the General Andrew P McArdle Bridge to the end of the Chelsea River. From the ~'~;; i~~~ ~~~~McArdle Bridge to the Che lse a Street Bridge , th e channel is 35 feet deep and approximately 225-250 feet wide. From the Chelsea Street Bridge to a point near the river's end, the channel is 250-430 feet wide. At the end of the channel there is a turning and maneuvering basin 35 feet deep and approximately 800 feet wide and 1000 feet long. Fort Point Channel The Fort Point Channel extends from Boston Harbor to the Northern Avenu e Bridge in South Boston, a distance of about 1000 feet. It is 23f feet deep and 175 feet wide. These stone seawalls, located at Point Allerton in Hull, help protect Boston Harbor s exposed headlands. 143 Buttermilk Bay in Bourne/Wareham. South Boston Reserved Channel Canapitsit Channel The Reserved Channel extends from the 40-foot-deep Canapitsit Channel in Gosnold runs between the Eliza- channel in Boston Harbor to the L Street Bridge in South beth Islands of Nashawena (on the east) and Cuttyhunk (on Boston, a distance of about 5400 feet. It is 35 feet deep and Boston, a distance of about 5400 feet. It is 35 feet deep and the west). Used by fishing boats and recreational craft, Can- 430 feet wide. apitsit Channel connects the waters of Vineyard Sound and The Weir River at Nantasket Beach Buzzards Bay. The project, completed in 1898, consists of a six-foot- The 1.7-mile-long channel in the Weir River, 12 feet deep deep channel extending 800 feet from Vineyard Sound to and 150 feet wide, provides access to the Nantasket Beach Buzzards Bay. The width of the channel at Vineyard Sound terminal in Hull. The channel extends from Sunset Point on is 350 feet and gradually narrows to 150 feet at Buzzards Nantasket Beach, through the Weir River, to Nantasket Pier. Bay. Buttermilk Bay Cape Cod Canal Buttermilk Bay is located in the upper reaches of Buz- The Cape Cod Canal, the widest sea-level canal in the zards Bay, between Bourne and Wareham, at the southern world, extends 17.4 miles across the narrow neck that joins end of the Cape Cod Canal. Access to Buttermilk Bay is Cape Cod to the mainland. It is in Bourne, about 50 miles through a two-mile natural channel extending from Buz- south of Boston via Route 3. zards Bay past Butler Cove. This channel is used chiefly for The canal saves commercial and recreational vessels recreational boating. 65-150 miles (depending on trip origin and destination) from The Corps' project consists of a 2800-foot-long channel the route on the outer Cape, where shoals and treacherous that was dredged in the natural channel. The Corps' chan- currents have made navigation hazardous for centuries. nel, seven feet deep and 100 feet wide, begins in the vicinity The toll-free waterway is open for passage to all boating of Sears Point in Wareham and ends in an area between craft properly equipped and considered seaworthy. Two- Taylor Point in Bourne and Peters Neck in Wareham. Com- way traffic is routinely maintained. pleted in 1953, it was constructed through a sandbar that The Cape Cod Canal is the most expensive navigation obstructed the natural channel. project built by the Corps in New England, costing $33 mil- In February 1984, work was completed in extending the lion. However, its purpose of serving commercial and recre- channel 2500 feet to the site of a public marina to be built ational interests by eliminating the dangerous outer cape jointly by Bourne and the state. The channel extension has route far outweighs its costs. a depth of six feet and a width of 80 feet. This most recent work was completed under Section 107 of the Continuing Authorities Program. 144 1883 to the Lockwood Manufacturing Company of East Boston. This firm constructed a large dredge and began work digging a canal. However, because the dredge could I ~~~~~~~~~excavate and discharge only 4000 cubic yards of material in 10 hours, it proved inefficient and the project soon came to ~~ ~ .~~. -~~ 4 ~ --~~ an end. During the next 25 years several charters were ~~ ~~~ ~~~r$ . ~~~~~granted and small attempts were made at digging, but all 4 ~~~~~~~ ~~were quickly abandoned. Many saw the great potential of a canal across the cape, but almost no one was willing to risk their own money to build it. In 1907 financier August Belmont, a New York investment banker who built that city's first subway, purchased the charter to build a canal and secured financial backing. In June 1909, Belmont began work on the long-awaited water- way. Finally, in July 1914, the Cape Cod Canal became a reality and opened with great pomp and circumstance as a toll seaway. ~~~~~ ~~~ ~It wasn't long, however, before problems appeared. The .~ . -~1~ canal's dimensions at that time (25 feet deep and 100 feet wide) were considerably smaller than those of the canal today and allowed only one-way traffic, causing significant delays and inconveniences. Combined with strong tidal cur- rents that caused numerous accidents, the canal devel- oped a negative reputation among mariners, and tolls and shipping soon fell. The Cape Cod Canal had proven to be neither a commercial nor transportation success. In July 1918, a German U-boat sank four barges and damaged a tug boat three miles off Cape Cod during the First World War~ Alarmed by the proximity of the U-boats to American waters, the U.S. Government assumed control over the canal to bolster its defenses and began proceedings to acquire the waterway. On March 1, 1920,16 months after the end of World War I, the federal government returned control of the canal to Bel- ________________ ___ - ~~~~mont's company, but the company didn't accept it, saying The Cape Cod Canal in B~ourne is the widest sea-level the government's control during the war had ended the canal in the world and is 174 miles long. Shown above are the company's rights to the canal. With all parties washing their jetty (left) and the breakwater (right) at the Canal' easterly hands of the money-losing waterway, it closed. However, entrance. Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge appealed to the company to open the canal, which it did three days later~ History Not wishing long and tedious buy-and-sell negotiations The ana ha a rch nd nteestig hstoy Orginlly nowith the federal government and faced with the uncertainty canal existed-much of what the canal is today was low,oflglepnBeotscmayprplyetedna rocky marshland connecting Cape Cod with the mainland. price and sold the canal to the government in July 1921 for As eary as 623 Myes Stndishof Plyouth olony$11.5 million. Because of congressional delays in appro- explored the idea of a canal as he traversed the area to p riaingemnties anot lacquirobem wtheln titlesto the CaeoodCaa reach the Aptucxet Trading Post, established to encourage urmntdido Macureche titl toth928.CdCaa commerce among the colonists, Dutch merchants in New utlMrh3,98 Amsterdam, and local Indian tribes, on the Cape's southern The Canal Today shore. Surveys, studies, and investigations recommending the construction of a canal followed in steady procession Once the Corps acquired the Cape Cod Canal, it studied for 250 years. During this time, hundreds of ships that went how the waterway could be improved. The experience around the Cape were shipwrecked from sudden and gained by the government in operating the canal from severe coastal storms, taking Ilives and cargo to the bot- 1929-1934 led to a reexamination of the channel's dimen- tom, In 1880, a charter was granted to the Cape Cod Canal sions. Construction of a canal measuring 32 feet deep and Company to construct a canal across the narrow isthmus. 480 feet wide began in 1935 and was completed in 1940. Although the company brought in about 500 laborers Existing draw-type highway bridges with navigation open- armed with shovels and wheelbarrows, work soon stopped ings of only 140 feet were removed and new ones com- and the charter lapsed. Another charter was granted in pleted in 1935 to give more vertical height to passing ships. 145 The Cape Cod Canal, with the Bourne Bridge in the foreground and the railroad bridge in the background. The transformation of the Cape Cod Canal from a narrow, Cod Canal. little-used shipping lane to one of the nation's safest and *A railroad bridge at Buzzards Bay and new highway most efficient navigational waterways had begun. bridges at Bourne and Sagamore. The three bridges, Further improvements essential to the operation and built simultaneously with Works Progress Adminis- maintenance of the canal quickly followed. The annual ton- tration funds, have vertical clearances of 135 feet at nage of shipping through the canal increased dramatically. mean high water. The highway bridges have flanking Today there are several features that help make the canal spans of 396 feet. The span of the railroad bridge is safe for commercial and recreational interests. These 544 feet and lifts vertically. It can be raised or include: lowered in about two and one-half minutes. �A 32-foot-deep approach channel extending from * A dike extending 10,700 feet southwesterly from the vicinity of Cleveland Ledge in Buzzards Bay to Stony Point (Wareham Great Neck). the canal itself. The approach channel has a width of * A dike between Mashnee Island and Hog Island, in 700 feet f romn Cleveland Ledge to Wings Neck in Bourne. Pocasset, then narrows to 500 feet wide from Wings * A dike between Hog Island and Rocky Point, in Neck to the canal (Hog Island Channel). Bourne. * Two mooring basins. The West Mooring Basin, * Two basins for small boats. The West Boat Basin, located at the head of Buzzards Bay on the east side located west of the railroad bridge in Bourne immedi- of Hog Island Channel, is 3300 feet long, 350 feet ately adjacent to the Cape Cod Canal Field Office, is wide, and 32 feet deep. The East Mooring Basin in 18 feet deep and one acre in area. The East Boat Sandwich, on the north side of the canal just inside Basin, located on the south side of the canal in Sand- the canal's entrance f romn Cape Cod Bay, has dimen- wich opposite the East Mooring Basin, is 13 feet sions of 2500 feet in length, 350 feet in width, and 25 deep in the 2.3-acre outer basin and eight feet deep feet in depth. in the 4.3-acre inner basin. * A 600-foot-long jetty and a 3000-foot-long break- *An improved, more energy efficient lighting system. water, both located at the entrance to the canal from As part of the Cape Cod Canal project, the Corps also Cape Cod Bay. The jetty is located on the southerly constructed some improvements to Onset Bay in Ware- side, and the breakwater is situated on the entrance's ham. These improvements include: northerly side. These structures, originally built by *A 0.6-mile-long channel extending northwesterly Belmont, were included in the purchase of the Cape from Hog Island Channel (at a point opposite the 146 West Mooring Basin) to Onset Bay. The channel is around to Herring Run. 15 feet deep and 1 00 feet wide. *A bicycle trail that runs parallel to the canal. The bike � A 15-foot-deep turning basin at the end of the Onset trail is actually a service road used by the Corps to Bay channel, in the vicinity of the town wharf. operate and maintain the canal, However, the only � Two eight-foot-deep anchorages on either side of the motorized vehicles that use the road are government 15-foot channel in Onset Bay, in the vicinity of Wickets vehicles. The trail is available for walking and other Island, that provide harbors of refuge for small non motorized recreational activity. The bike trail/ser- vessels, vice road is accessible from both Scusset Beach The Corps of Engineers operates and maintains the State Park and Bourne Scenic Park (described Cape Cod Canal from a field office in Bourne, west of the below). railroad bridge. Using state-of-the-art technology experi- *Interpretive Programs given by Cape Cod Canal enced traffic control personnel regulate the movement of all rangers. These programs range from road walks vessels sailing the waterway 24 hours a day, seven days a along the canal that examine the canal's history, to week. Corps patrol boats mainltain a constant vigil along bike hikes that explore the canal's environment, to the canal and assist vessels in distress, enforce speed spirited campfire programs where tales are told and limits, and remove floating debris. This professional marshmallows are toasted around a roaring campfire. approach to management earned the Cape Cod Canal the *Some of the best saltwater fishing in the country. distinguished honor of "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Government land along both banks of the canal is Project of the Year" in 1986. available to catch waiting bass, flounder, cod, and Recreation mackerel. *A boat ramp in the East Boat Basin. The boat ramp is The Cape Cod Canal is one of New England's most popu- located at the Sandwich Marina, which is leased by lar recreational areas. Over one million visitors annually the Corps to the town of Sandwich. enjoy the canal and its adjacent lands for a variety of out- There are seven recreational areas developed by the door activities or simply to watch and identify the vessels Corps throughout the length of the canal that allow the pub- that pass. Ilic to enjoy these and other activities. Each recreational Some of the recreational opportunities offered by the area offers picnic tables (cooking with gas grills only), Inter- canal are: pretive Programs, access to the bicycle trail, canal fishing, *A hiking trail that runs parallel to the canal for 1.5 drinking water, and parking and sanitary facilities. These miles. The trail, which runs through Bournedale Hills recreational areas are: Woods, starts at the Herring Run Recreation Area -Herring Run in Bourne, on Route 6 (Scenic Highway). (described below) and ends at Bourne Scenic Park. The most popular of the seven recreational areas, Herring The trail has a one-half-mile section that loops back Run has a visitor information center and a fish ladder that The Cape Cod Canal saves commercial and recreational vesselsftrom the outer Cape route, where swift currents are a hazard to navigation. The Sagamore Bridge lies in the foreg round. 147 allow herring to swim from the canal to Great Herring Pond___ in Bourne and spawn. Herring Run also provides access to the hiking trail along the canal. -Sagamore Bridge Area in Bourne on Canal Road, adja- cent to the Sagamore Bridge Rotary. -Tidal Flats Area in Bourne on Bell Road, near the railroad bridge. The bicycle trail is not accessible from this recreation area. -Bourne Bridge Area in Bourne, beneath the Bourne Bridge. -Midway Station in Bourne, along Sandwich Road (Route 6). Midway Station is a wooded area and is available by permit for group picnics. Canal fishing is not available. It is the only one of the seven recreational areas that does not lie alongside the canal. -West Bulkhead Area in Sandwich on Freezer Road. This area is especially popular with sportsmen who enjoy fishing from the bulkhead alongside the canal. -East Bulkhead Area in Sandwich on Coast Guard Road. Visitors can scan Cape God Bay for ships arriving at the east end of the canal. Two large recreation areas adjacent to the canal provide visitors with many recreational opportunities. They are: �Scusset Beach State Park in Sandwich, one mile east of the Sagamore Rotary on Route 6. This 380-acre facility offers 98 campsites, each with trailer electri- cal hookups, picnic tables, and fireplaces. Campers have access to hot showers, drinking water, sanitary facilities, and a dump station. Scusset Beach State ~ Park also has a beach area with a bathhouse, sani- *� tary facilities, and access to drinking water. Pier fish- ing along the canal is popular, and there are 75 acres available for in-season hunting of state-stocked pheasant and native rabbit, deer, and fox. Interpretive Programs are offered by the Corps to allI park visi- Cohasset Harbor tors. The park is leased by the Corps to the Massa- chusetts Department of Environmental Management. * Bourne Scenic Park in Bourne on Route 6, about .25 mile from the Bourne Rotary This 112-acre park offers 466 campsites (300 sites have trailer electrical of an anchorage seven feet deep and about 18 acres in hookups) with picnic tables. Campers have access to area in the inner harbor; a channel, eight feet deep and 90 hot showers, drinking water, sanitary facilities, and a feet wide, extending from the anchorage to the outer har- dump station. The park has a unique saltwater swim- bor; and three six-foot-deep anchorages that total 12.6 ming pool that flushes with the tide. Pool users have acres in area. These anchorages are located in Cohasset access to sanitary facilities and drinking water The Cove (3.9 acres); Bailey Creek (5.4 acres); and the vicinity of Corps offers Interpretive Programs to visitors, and Government Island Cove (3.3 acres). the park is available by permit for group picnics. The channel and seven-foot-deep anchorage were Bourne Scenic Park is leased by the Corps to the authorized by Congress in 1945 and completed in 1960. Bourne Recreation Authority The three six-foot-deep anchorages were completed in 1968 as a small project under Section 107 of the Continuing Authorities Program. Cohasset Harbor Cohasset Harbor is located about ten miles south of Cross Rip Shoals Boston Harbor. It is used extensively by recreational and small commercial craft. Cross Rip Shoals are among the many shoals scattered The earliest work in the harbor, completed in 1904, con- throughout the central part of Nantucket Sound. Cross Rip sisted of a channel and turning basin four feet deep and 60 Shoals are about 14 miles south of Hyannis Harbor and 15 feet wide in the inner harbor The present project consists miles northwest of Nantucket Harbor 148 The Corps' project consists of a 1.7-mile-long channel, Dorchester Bay running east to west, that is 30 feet deep and 4000 feet wide. The width of the channel stretches between Half- and Neponset River moon Shoal on the north and Cross Rip Shoals on the south. The channel is used principally by deep-draft yes- Dorchester Bay is bordered roughly by Columbia Point in sels passing through Nantucket Sound. Dorchester to the north, Savin Hill and Commercial Point in Dorchester to the west, and Quincy's Squantum Point and Moon Head to the south. Lying in the middle of Dorchester Bay is Boston's Thompson Island. Cuttyhunk Harbor The project consists of a channel extending southwes- Cuttyhunk Harbor in Gosnold is located at the northeast- terly from the main ship channel in Boston Harbor, through ernendfCuttyhunk Island, which lies at the southwestern Dorchester Bay, and up the Neponset River to the Nepon- end of the Elizabeth Islands. The harbor is used by a small set H ighway Bride (Route main she channel fishing fleet, local and transient recreational boaters, and to f eet de and 17n betwe Columbia mail and freight carriers from the mainland. It frequently t o intmmedcialmpsontIsland).annmlCommercialeenintluobih serves as a harbor of refuge. serves as a harbor of refuge. ~Point and Thompson Island). From Commercial Point to the The project at Cuttyhunk Harbor was constructed in two Neponset Highway Bridge, the channel is 15 feet deep and stages. In 1939, work was completed on a channel and 100 feet wide. anchorage. The channel, 10 feet deep and 75 feet wide,Thcanewscotrtdonheodionhtte The channel was constructed on the condition that the extends about 0.6 mile from the outer harbor to the west- C ommil th of the rer betain the erly terminal in the inner harbor (Cuttyhunk Pond). The anchorage, located at the north side of the inner harbor, is way Bridge and Milton Mills to a depth of six feet at varying 10 feet deep, 800 feet wide, and 900 feet long. In 1965, the channel widths. The state dredged the channel in 1910 and Corps completed the second phase of the project. This has periodically maintained it. work consists of a 2600-foot-long stone dike built at the east end of Canapitsit Beach; a 600-foot-long stone dike constructed at the south end of Copicut Neck Beach; and the rehabilitation of existing nonfederal jetties on either side of the entrance channel. These structures preserve the natural beaches, protect the harbor, and reduce shoaling. A small marina lies in Dorchester Bay. 149 Duxbur~v Harbor Duxbury Harbor Es sex River Duxbury Harbor is located at the northwestern end of The Essex River in Essex is located about five miles west Cape Cod Bay in Duxbury, about 20 miles northwest of the of Cape Ann and flows into Essex Bay. Several boat yards Cape Cod Canal. It is an active recreational boating center that accommodate small recreational craft are located near Initial work in Duxbury Harbor, completed in 1908, the head of the river in Essex. involved the construction of a six-foot-deep channel The project consists of a channel four feet deep and 60 extending from the southwestern end of Duxbury Bay to feet wide extending from Essex Bay to the Route 133 the Duxbury wharves, and groins at Duxbury Beach (the Bridge in Essex. It was completed in 1901. sandy arm that encloses the east side of Duxbury Bay). The present project, completed in 1960, consists of an anchor- age eight feet deep and 21 acres in area in the vicinity of theFalRvrH bo Duxbury town wharf, and a one-mile-long channel extend-FalRvrHbo ing from the west side of Duxbury Bay to the eight-foot- Fl ie abri oae nteuprrahso deep anchorage, roughly along the same alignment as the M utHpBainFall River, Harboutr mils souae ntheuprrachst of 1908 channel. The present channel is eight feet deep and Providence. It is situated at the mouth of the Taunton River 100 feet wide. In 1965, the Commonwealth of Massachu- and at the head of the Sakonnet River, which lies between setts dredged an additional two acres on the east side of the Rhode Island communities of Portsmouth and Tiverton. the Corps' anchorage. Fall River Harbor is a major oil receiving port. The earliest work in Fall River Harbor, completed in 1915, involved the construction of a channel 25 feet deep through Edgartown Harbor ~~~~~~~~~ Mount Hope Bay to the inner harbor along the FallI River waterfront, and for an anchorage 25 feet deep and 42 acres Edgartown Harbor is located at the eastern end of in area adjoining Old Colony Wharf, now the State Pier Martha's Vineyard Island in Edgartown. It is used primarily Additional work in Fall River Harbor, completed by the by large local recreational and fishing fleets. Corps in 1959. consists of: Initial work in the harbor was completed in 1897 and con- *A channel 35 feet deep and 400 feet wide extending sisted of an entrance channel from Nantucket Sound to the east from deep water in Mount Hope Bay into the outer harbor and the removal of obstructions in the inner Tiverton shorefront, where it branches into northern harbor The present project consists of a channel, 17 feet and southern channels along the Tiverton water- deep and generally 150 feet wide, extending from the outer front. The northern channel ends in the vicinity of the harbor to deep water in the inner harbor; the removal of a Gulf Oil Terminal; the southern channel extends large shoal at the northwest end of the inner harbor to a along the Tiverton Lower Pool waterfront to the vicin- depth of 17 feet; and the removal of Middle Ground Shoal in ity of the Rhode Island Refining Corporation. Both the the middle section of the inner harbor to a depth of 12 feet. northern and southern channels are 35 feet deep and This work was completed in 1939. 400 feet wide. 150 tucket Sound into the inner harbor, located between Fal- mouth and Falmouth Heights, and an area of about 17 acres in the inner harbor dredged to the same depth. Dredged materials from the harbor were placed on the town beach at Falmouth Heights, providing additional beach area and protection to the shore. Gloucester Harbor and Annisquam River Gloucester Harbor Gloucester Harbor, a major fishing port and a popular recreational area, is located in Gloucester on the south side of Cape Ann, about 25 miles northeast of Boston. Initial work in Gloucester Harbor around 1900 involved removing obstructive rocks and shoals in the inner harbor. The most recent work, completed in July 1965, consists of: �A breakwater at the outer harbor entrance extending The Essex River � A channel 35 feet deep and 400 feet wide extending from deep water in Mount Hope Bay to a point on the Taunton River between Shell Wharf in Fall River and Montaup Wharf in Somerset. From Mount Hope Bay, the channel stretches north past the Braga Bridge (Interstate 1-195), along the Fall River waterfront, past the Brightman Street Bridge (U.S. Route 6) to the Shell and Montaup Wharves. The channel increases in width where it bends, just north of the Braga Bridge. * A 35-foot-deep turning basin, about 1100 feet wide and 850 feet long, between the Shell and Montaup i Wharves. Falmouth Harbor Falmouth Harbor is located in Falmouth on Cape Cod's south shore, about three miles east of Woods Hole. Used primarily by fishing and recreational craft, Falmouth Harbor is a popular center for charter excursions and sportfishing boats. The project, completed in 1957, consists of a 10-foot- deep entrance channel 100 feet wide extending from Nan- Falmouth Harbor Gloucester Harbor about 2250 feet west from the tip of Eastern Point � The removal of six ledges in the outer harbor to over Dog Bar to Cat Ledge. depths ranging from 18 to 25 feet. * An entrance channel into the inner harbor 20 feet deep and 300 feet wide that separates into two access channels along the north and south sides of the Gloucester Fish Pier, which is located at the head of the inner harbor The northern access channel is The Annisquam River in Gloucester is an inland water- 20 feet deep and 200 to 250 feet wide. The southern way that leads from Ipswich Bay to Gloucester Harbor access channel is 20 feet deep and 200 feet wide. Work on the Annisquam River, completed in July 1965, � A 16-foot-deep anchorage 600 feet wide at the junc- consists of: tion of the two 20-foot-deep access channels. � An eight-foot-deep channel extending about 4.5 � An anchorage 16 feet deep, 300-650 feet wide, and miles from Gloucester Harbor, up the Annisquam 10 acres in area extending from the southern 20-foot- River, to Ipswich Bay. From Gloucester Harbor to the deep access channel into Smith Cove, adjacent to Boston and Maine railroad bridge (this section of Rocky Neck. waterway is known as Blyman Canal), the channel is * An access channel along the waterfront south of 60 feet wide. From the railroad bridge to the river Harbor Cove and leading into Harbor Cove, which is mouth, it is 100 feet wide. From the river mouth on the northwest side of the inner harbor The chan- across the eastern side of Ipswich Bay, the channel is nel is 18 feet deep and 100 to 500 feet wide. 200 feet wide. � A five-acre, 15-foot-deep anchorage located on the � A 17-acre anchorage at the entrance to Lobster Cove, north side of the entrance to Harbor Cove. which is located adjacent to Ipswich Bay at the north- � The removal of a rock shoal in the access channel to east end of the Annisquam River The anchorage is Harbor Cove to a depth of 24 feet. eight feet deep. 152 � Rehabilitation of the existing state-built west jetty at the harbor entrance. This work included raising the jetty and extending it by 200 feet. : Raising the existing state-built east jetty Green Harbor was completed in October 1969 as a small project under Section 107 of the Continuing Authorities Program. Hingham Harbor Hingham Harbor is located in Hingham Bay, just north of Hingham Center and east of Weymouth Back River The harbor is used principally for recreational boating. Initial work in Hingham Harbor, completed in 1884, pro- vided for a 2500-foot-long channel extending from deep water to the head of the harbor, in the vicinity of the Hingham wharves. The channel's original dimensions were eight feet deep and 100 feet wide. In 1893, the Corps deep- ened the existing channel to 10 feet and removed a ledge in the lower channel between Chandlers and Ragged Islands. Hyannis Harbor Hyannis Harbor lies midway along the south shore of Cape Cod in Hyannis, about 21 miles east of the harbor at Woods Hole and 16 miles west of Chatham. It consists of an outer harbor, a middle harbor (known as Lewis Bay), and an inner harbor The outer and middle harbors are separated by Dunbar Point. Hyannis Harbor is used extensively by recreational boaters and serves as a base for a small fish- ing fleet, sportfishing charter boats, and ferry boats that service the offshore islands. Green Harbor in Marshfield. Initial work in Hyannis Harbor, completed in 1882, involved building a 1170-foot-long extension to the existing state-built stone breakwater situated at the southwestern end of the outer harbor in Hyannisport. Work completed by the Corps since that time includes: Green Harbor - An anchorage 15.5 feet deep behind the 1170-foot breakwater extension. The anchorage is 1600 feet Green Harbor in Marshfield is situated in the northwest- long and about 55 acres in area. em end of Cape Cod Bay, about 30 miles southeast of Bos- � A 7200-foot-long channel, 12 feet deep and 150 feet ton and nine miles north of Plymouth Harbor. It is located at wide, extending from the outer harbor to deep water the mouth of Green Harbor River, a small stream that drains in Lewis Bay. nearby marshlands. Green Harbor is a popular recreational a A 6000-foot-long channel, 12 feet deep and 100 feet boating and sportfishing center wide, extending from deep water in Lewis Bay to the The project consists of: town wharf at the western end of the inner harbor � A channel extending 4000 feet from deep water to a * An anchorage 12 feet deep at the eastern end of the six-foot-deep turning basin located below the Route inner harbor, across from the town wharf. 139 Bridge. The channel is six feet deep (eight feet * Rehabilitation of the 1170-foot-long breakwater from deep water to the jetties) and 100 feet wide. extension. � An anchorage six feet deep and five acres in area The state built a 1000-foot-long stone jetty extending adjacent to the Town Pier south from Dunbar Point in 1962. 153 Hyannis Harbor Ipswich River Canal. The harbor was used extensively by the Plymouth The Ipswich River in Ipswich is located about nine miles Cordage Company for the transportation of hemp, sisal, south of Newburyport and flows into Ipswich Bay. The burlap, cordage, and other fibers until 1965, when the com- three-mile stretch of the river from Ipswich Bay to the town pany ceased operations. Today, Kingston Harbor is used wharf is used by fishing boats and recreational craft. primarily by recreational boaters. In 1894, the Corps dredged a 4000-foot-long channel, six The project consists of a 3000-foot-long channel that cuts through sandbars in the river called "The Shoals" and feet deep and 100 feet wide, extending from deep water in cuts through sandbars in the river called "The Shoals" and "Labor in Vain" and extends to "Deep Hole" opposite the Kingston Bay to the wharf of the former Plymouth Cordage "Labor in Vain" and extends to "Deep Hole" opposite the town wharves. Completed in 1894, the channel is four feet Company In 1908, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts town wharvd eep and 60 feet wide. deepened the channel to a depth of 18 feet, and maintains it deep and 60 feet wide. periodically. Island End River Lagoon Pond Island End River is a small tributary of the Mystic River and is located along the Chelsea/Everett city line, about L agoon P ond n Tsbury and Oak Bluffs s a naturally two miles from downtown Boston. deep tidal lagoon, about two miles long and over one-third The plrojec t c onsists of a six-foot-deep,2500-foot-long mile wide, located along the northern shore of Martha's channel extending from the Mystic River, -up Island End Vineyard. Except for a small natural inlet, Lagoon Pond is channel extending from the Mystic River, up Island End River, to the Admirals Hill Marina in Chelsea. The channel is separated from Vineyard Haven Harbor by a narrow sand spit, which also serves as a connecting road between Oak 90 feet wide at its lower end and 100 feet wide at its upper spit, which also serves as a connecting road between Oak end. Bluffs and Tisbury. A moderately large recreational fleet is Island End River was completed in April 1982 as a small based in Lagoon Pond. Commercial facilities are located at project under Section 107 of the Corps' Continuing Author- nearby Vineyard Haven Harbor ities Program. The project consists of a channel, eight feet deep and 100 feet wide, extending about 2500 feet from deep water in Vineyard Haven Harbor into Lagoon Pond. The Corps also extended the existing nonfederal jetty at the entrance Kingston Harbor of the pond by 200 feet. The work at Lagoon Pond was completed in November Kingston Harbor in Plymouth is located at the northwest 1973 as a small project under Section 107 of the Continuing end of Cape Cod Bay, about 18 miles north of the Cape Cod Authorities Program. 154 Little Harbor, Woods Hole Little Harbor is located in the Woods Hole section of Fal- ......~~~~~~~. ~mouth, on the southwestern end of Cape Cod. Separated from Great Harbor to the west by Parkers Neck, Little Har- bor is three-eighths of a mile long and one-eighth of a mile ~~~ ~~wide. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a station and vessels .: ~~~in the harbor, which is also used by recreational craft. The Corps' project, completed in 1906, consists of a channel 1600 feet long extending from Vineyard Sound to the Coast Guard wharf. The channel originally had a 12-foot depth and a 150-foot width. Also constructed was a turning basin in front of the wharf. The turning basin originally had a depth of 12 feet and a width of 250 feet. In the mid-1960s, the Coast Guard deepened and widened both the channel and turning basin. The channel was deepened to 17 feet and widened to 200 feet. The turning basin was deepened to 17 feet and widened to 400 Lynn Harbor Lynn Harbor in Lynn lies about eight miles northeast of Boston Harbor, at the head of Broad Sound. It is about three miles long and about 1.5 miles wide. The project, completed in 1935, consists of: � A channel, 22 feet deep and 300 feet wide, extending 2.7 miles f rom an area west of Bass Point in Nahant to the head of the harbor; and � A turning basin 22 feet deep and 550 feet wide at the head of the harbor The Ipswich River Lynn Harbor 155 Hole. The waterway plays host to a U.S. Coast Guard sta- tion and is used by recreational craft, a small fishing fleet, and transient boats. The project was completed by the Corps in 1950 and consists of: � A channel 10 feet deep and 80 feet wide extending from the two jetties at the entrance of Menemsha Creek for a distance of 700 feet; � A channel eight feet deep and 80 feet wide that starts at the end of the aforementioned 10-foot-deep channel and continues for 1.2 miles to deep water in Menemsha Pond. � An anchorage area, known as Menemsha Basin, located immediately inside the left (east) jetty at the entrance to Menemsha Creek. The anchorage is divided into northern and southern sections; the northern section is 10 feet deep and 250-300 feet wide, while the southern section is six feet deep and narrows as it approaches land. � Maintenance of the two existing nonfederal stone jet- ties at the entrance to Menemsha Creek. Each jetty is about 250 feet long. Merrimack River The Merrimack River is formed by the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee Rivers at Franklin, New Hampshire. It flows southerly through the New Hampshire cities of Con- cord, Manchester, and Nashua, then northeasterly through the Massachusetts cities of Lowell, Lawrence, and Haver- hill before it enters the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport. The Merrimack River in Haverhill. Recreational boat facilities are located in Haverhill along the river's upper end and principally in Amesbury and Newbur- yport along the river's lower end. The project, completed in 1907, consists of: * A channel seven feet deep and 150 feet wide extend- Maiden River ing from the U.S. Route 1 Bridge at Newburyport to the railroad bridge at Haverhill, a distance of 16.5 The Maiden River, a small tributary of the Mystic River, miles. The channel passes through the communities flows southerly from Maiden Square and forms a partial of Salisbury, Amesbury, West Newbury, Merrimac, boundary between Medford and Everett. The river was and Groveland. once used for the shipment of coal and other barge traffic * The removal of a sandbar at the mouth of the Merri- prior to construction of the Metropolitan District Commis- mack River in Newburyport. sion dam and locks located immediately downstream, at * The removal of rock at Merrimac. the confluence of the Mystic and Maiden Rivers. The Mal- a The removal of obstructions in the river at Haverhill. den River is now chiefly used by a small recreational fleet. The project consists of a 1.5-mile-long channel extending from the junction of the Maiden and Mystic Rivers to the Medford Street Bridge. Completed in 1921, the channel is Mystic River six feet deep and 100-150 feet wide. The Mystic River forms a partial border between the cities of Boston (the Charlestown area), Chelsea, Medford, Everett, and Somerville. The section of the river upstream Menemsha Creek of the Amelia Earhart Dam, in the Medford/Somerville area, is used extensively by recreational boaters. The lower por- Menemsha Creek, located on the Gay Head/Chilmark tion serves shipping and commercial interests. town line, is a small tidal inlet on the western end of The project consists of a 5.5-mile-long channel extend- Martha's Vineyard, about 11 miles southwest of Woods ing from Boston Inner Harbor at the Mystic River Bridge 156 The Mystic River in Boston. (U.S. Route 1) to the Craddock Bridge on Main Street in General Lawrence Bridge (Route 16), to a point Medford, near Medford Square. The channel has varying 150 feet downstream of the U.S. Route 93 bridge, the dimensions that are described below. channel is 100 feet wide and four feet deep. From that � A 35-foot-deep channel extending 1.25 miles from area to to Craddock Bridge, the channel is 50 feet the 35-foot channel of Boston Harbor at the Mystic wide and four feet deep. River Bridge to a point about 300 feet downstream of the Maiden Bridge, at Alford Street. The channel has a width of approximately 1000 feet, which narrows to Harbor 150 feet as it approaches the drawspan of the Malden Bridge. Nantucket Harbor is located along the northern shore of * A channel 20 feet deep that extends from a point Nantucket Island, a prominent recreational resort. It is used about 300 feet downstream of the Maiden Bridge to regularly by small coastal tankers and ferries transporting a point 800 feet upstream of the Maiden Bridge. The passengers, vehicles, and general cargo between the channel has a width of 75 feet through the drawspan mainland and Nantucket. The harbor also attracts many and then increases to about 340 feet to form a turn- recreational craft and is used as a harbor of refuge by off- ing basin in the area 800 feet above bridge. shore fishing craft and other boats. A U.S. Coast Guard sta- � A channel with varying dimensions extending from tion is located at Brant Point. the aforementioned turning basin, through the Bos- Completed in 1930, the work in Nantucket Harbor con- ton & Maine Railroad (Western Division) Bridge, to sists of: the Craddock Bridge. From the Boston & Maine � A 15-foot-deep channel, 300 feet wide, extending Railroad Bridge to the first turn above Dennings about 1.6 miles from Nantucket Sound through the Wharf (formerly the Somerville Coal Company bar at the entrance to the harbor; and wharf), the channel is six feet deep and 100 feet � Two stone jetties at the harbor entrance. The east wide. From Dennings Wharf, passing through the jetty is 6990 feet long and the west jetty is 5755 feet MDC's Emelia Earhart Lock and Dam and under the long. 157 New Bedford 1000 feet south of the old causeway pier, a total dis- tance of about 3700 feet. From Pierce and Kilburn and Fairhaven Harbor Wharf to Old South Wharf, the channel is 15 feet deep and 150-400 feet wide. From Old South Wharf New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor is located on the to a point 1000 feet south of the old causeway pier, west side of Buzzards Bay at the mouth of the Achusnet the channel is 10 feet deep and 150 feet wide. Rivr, n te ommnites f ew edfrd ndFairhaven. *A 165-acre, triangular-shaped anchorage, 25 feet Initially the world's largest whaling port and a cotton manu- d ep lngrtheatsd of thPancanner Isand. facturing center, the harbor is now a major fishing port. AnotofPleIsad hurricane protection barrier, completed in 1966 across the lower harbor, protects the New Bedford-Fairhaven- Achusnet area from tidal storms (see page 82). Initial work in the harbor during the late 1830s consisted Newburyport Harbor of removing a shipwreck and sandbar. Modifications through 1906 entailed dredging an anchorage in the inner Newburyport Harbor in Newburyport is about 2.5 miles harbor above Palmer Island and an 18-foot-deep channel long and stretches from the mouth of the Merrimack River from Buzzards Bay to a point above the New Bedford-Fair- to the U.S. Route 1 Bridge. It is four miles south of the Mas- haven drawbridge that allowed access to the Fairhaven and sachusetts/New Hampshire state line. The harbor is home New Bedford waterfronts. base for charter excursion and sportfishing boats, as well The most recent work by the Corps of Engineers in New as many recreational craft. Bedford and Fairhaven, completed in 1939, consists of: The project consists of: � A channel 30 feet deep, 350 feet wide, and five miles a Two jetties at the entrance to the harbor The north long, extending from Buzzards Bay to a point above jetty extends from Salisbury Beach in Salisbury and the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge (U.S. Route 6). is 4118 feet long. The south jetty extends from Plum The channel has increased widths for anchorage and Island Point in Newburyport and is 2445 feet long. maneuvering purposes northwest of Palmer Island - A timber dike that partially closes Plum Island Basin. (along the New Bedford main waterfront) and above * A three-mile-long channel extending f rom the Atlan- the bridge. tic Ocean, through the harbor entrance, to a turning � A channel 25 feet deep, 200-250 feet wide and 1050 basin in front of the wharves. From the Atlantic Ocean feet long, extending from the lower maneuvering through the entrance to the harbor, the channel is 12 area along the New Bedford waterfront to the vicinity feet deep and 400 feet wide. From the harbor of Fish Island and the swing bridge. entrance to the turning basin, the channel is nine feet * A channel along the Fairhaven waterfront extending deep and 200 feet wide. northward from Pierce and Kilburn Wharf to a point *A turning basin nine feet deep along the main water- front. The turning basin has varying widths but is no less than 250 feet wide at any point and extends roughly from an area in front of the American Yacht Club to the U.S. Route I Bridge. ~~~~~ ~~~Plymouth Harbor Plymouth Harbor is located in Plymouth Bay, about 18 miles north of the Cape Cod Canal. It is partially protected by Long Beach, a 3.6-mile long spit that extends along the harbor's east side, giving Plymouth Harbor a V-shaped form. Plymouth's place in history attracts hundreds of recre- ational and transient boaters to the harbor, which is also a popular center for charter excursion and sportfishing boats. Initial work in the harbor, completed in 1893, involved dredging a channel in the inner harbor and a basin in front ofthe town wharf, both to a depth of nine feet. Work also included protecting Long Beach from erosion to prevent further damage to the harbor The most recent work by the Corps in Plymouth Harbor Newburyport Harbor consists of: 158 Plymouth Harbor is a popular center for excursion and sportfishing boats. The harbor~ 3500-foot-long stone breakwater is on the left, and a section ofthe 3.6-mile-long spit that extends from the shore can be seen at the top. � A stone dike along sections of Long Beach that were Pollock Rip Shoals damaged by the storm of November 1898. * The restoration of the Eel River, at the southernmost The channel at Pollock Rip Shoals is centered about end of the harbor, to its former course. three miles east of the southerly end of Monomoy Island in * An 18-foot channel, 200 feet wide, and about 2.5 Chatham. The channel, which runs east-west, is about miles long, extending from Plymouth Bay for nearly a eight miles south of the Chatham Lighthouse. Vessels mile along the inner shore of Long Beach, and then passing around the Cape Cod coastline use the channel as continuing generally westerly to the state pier, with a a passage from the Atlantic Ocean to Nantucket Sound. large turning basin at the channel's end. The Corps' The Stonehouse Lightship had previously identified the turning basin is opposite state-constructed anchor- southeasterly end of the channel until October 1963, when age and turning basin areas. it was removed by the U.S. Coast Guard and replaced with a * A 15-foot access channel, 150 feet wide, extending small buoy. about 0.3 mile north from the Corps' turning basin, The channel extends six miles through the shoals and is along the central waterfront, to the town wharf. 30 feet deep and 2000 feet wide. It was completed in 1925. There is a two-acre turning basin at the end of the channel in front of the wharf that is 15 feet deep. * A 3500-foot-long stone breakwater This structure begins at a point north of the town wharf and extends easterly from the shore for 1400 feet, then turns southeasterly, parallel to the waterfront, for Provincetown Harbor in Provincetown lies in the bight of 2100 feet. the northernmost section of Cape Cod, 40 miles southeast * An anchorage basin eight feet deep and 60 acres in of Boston Harbor and 24 miles northeast of the Cape Cod area inside the breakwater Canal. The harbor is used chiefly by a large fishing fleet. 159 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 .4 2500-foot-long stone breakwater intercepts the energy from approaching waves and helps protect Provincetown Harbor~ MacMillan Wharf. The harbor~ 6150-foot-long stone dike can be seen in the background. Initial construction in Provincetown Harbor during the bor is used extensively by recreational boaters, fishing 19th century provided for beach protection works to pre- craft, and charter boats for excursions and sportfishing. serve the west end of the harbor. The most recent work The earliest work in the harbor dates back to 1839, when completed by the Corps includes a 6150-foot-long dike two breakwaters were constructed, one on each side of the extending southerly from Stevens Point across House harbor entrance. In 1905, the Corps rebuilt the two break- Point Island Flats to the sandy spit at Wood End; and a waters to a height of 18.5 feet. The northern breakwater at stone breakwater lying parallel to the shore about 835 feet Bearskin Neck is 900 feet long, and the southern break- from the end of the MacMillan (Town) Wharf. The break- water at Norwoods Head is 200 feet long. The Corps also water is about 2500 feet long with an elevation of 15.5 feet. removed principal rocks in the harbor. The dike was completed in 1914 and the breakwater The most recent work in Rockport Harbor was corn- in 1972. pleted in July 1987 as a smallI project under Section 107 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. This work included the construction of: � A 1 0-foot-deep channel, 80 feet wide, extending Ro~ckpnort Harbor 1100 feet from deep water outside the breakwaters to the town wharf in the center of the harbor. and Pigeon Cove - Two eight-foot-deep outer anchorage areas on either Rockport Harbor ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~side of the 10-foot-deep channel. The north anchor- age, about 3.5 acres in area, extends from the Bear- Rockport Harbor is located in Sandy Bay on the north- skin Neck Breakwater to the town wharf. The south east side of Cape Ann, about 32 miles northeast of Boston. anchorage, about 2.7 acres in area, extends from the The town of Rockport is popular with tourists, and the har- Norwoods Head Breakwater to the town wharf. 160 Rockport Harbor Two eight-foot-deep inner anchorage basins on either side of the town wharf. The north anchorage is 1.7 acres in area, and the south anchorage is 1.2 acres in area. ,: Pigeon Cove Pigeon Cove in Rockport is located in Sandy Bay, about 'f l 1.5 miles north of Rockport Harbor. It is home to a vibrant commercial fishing industry Corps' work in Pigeon Cove consists of: * A 10-foot-deep channel, 75 feet wide, extending 550 feet from deep water outside the existing break- water, across the southern part of the inner cove, to the public pier; and * A 3.4-acre anchorage area, eight feet deep, through- out the rest of Pigeon Cove's inner section. Completed in July 1987, Pigeon Cove is a small project, constructed under Section 107 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. Pigeon Cove in Rockport. 161 Salem Harbor Salem Harbor Sandy Bay Salem Harbor in Salem, a major international seaport Sandy Bay in Rockport is a large bight in the northeast- from the Revolutionary War to the mid-19th century, today ern shore of Cape Ann. Bordered by Andrews Point to the is a commercial and recreational port located on Boston's north and Gap Head and Straitsmouth Island to the south, North Shore, 19 miles northeast of Boston Harbor Petro- Sandy Bay includes Pigeon Cove, Knowltons Harbor, Old leum products for the New England Power Company and Harbor, and Rockport Harbor The bay is partially protected domestic heating oil make up the bulk of commercial traffic by Abners Ledge, which lies about 1.5 miles northeast of through the harbor Lobstering by a small network of fami- Rockport Harbor lies who have done it for generations is also evident. The project originally called for the construction of a Initial work in Salem Harbor, completed in 1894, con- 9000-foot-long stone breakwater, 22 feet high, that would sisted of an eight-foot-deep, 300-foot-wide entrance chan- provide a harbor of refuge for commercial vessels sailing nel to the South River on the western side of the harbor, and the coast around the turn of the century The breakwater an eight-foot-deep, 50-150 feet wide channel up the South was to extend 3600 feet north from Averys Ledge to River The most recent work in the harbor includes: Abners Ledge, then 5400 feet northwesterly from Abners � A 32-foot-deep channel extending about 1.6 miles Ledge toward Andrews Point. The anchorage area encom- from deep water at the junction of the Beverly and passed by these dimensions would be about 1377 acres. Salem Harbors to a point 1500 feet from the Salem About 922 feet (26 percent) of the breakwater, including Terminal Wharf. The channel is 300 feet wide, except both superstructure and substructure, was complete when for its fihal .25 mile, when it widens to 400 feet. Local construction was suspended in 1911. Another 6100 feet of interests dredged the remaining 1500 feet to the ter- the breakwater's substructure, extending from both ends minal, a turning basin, and berths. of the already completed 922-foot breakwater at Abners * An eight-foot-deep branch channel, 100 feet wide Ledge, had been built when construction ceased. These and 700 feet long, on the east side of Derby Wharf. sections of substructure, now awash at low water, are Derby Wharf is the site of a custom house built in marked by navigation aids. No further work on the break- 1819, during Salem's Golden Era, and is part of the water is anticipated. Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which is listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. * An eight-foot-deep turning basin, 500 feet long and 200 feet wide, at the end of the Derby Wharf branch channel. 162 Scituate Harbor anchorage at the head of the inner harbor (a distance Scituate Harbor in Scituate Harbor is an indentation of 450 feet), the channel is 10 feet deep and 150 feet along Massachusetts' southern shore, approximately 13 wide. miles southeast of Boston Harbor The harbor is used a A 10-foot-deep anchorage basin along the northerly chiefly by fishing and recreational fleets. side of the 10-foot-deep channel's first 1500 feet. The The earliest work in Scituate Harbor, between 1829-1852, anchorage has an average width of about 460 feet. consisted of a stone bulkhead 835 feet long that protected * An extension of the aforementioned 10-foot-deep the beach between Cedar Point and the mainland. In 1903, anchorage. This anchorage is eight feet deep, 1500 work was completed on two jetties, one on each side of the feet long, and about 400 feet wide, and lies between harbor entrance. The north jetty extends 720 feet south- . the 10-foot anchorage and the shoreline. easterly from Cedar Point, and the south jetty extends 450 * An anchorage area at the head of the inner harbor feet northerly from First Cliff. The Corps also dredged The basin has a depth of 10 feet, a length of 900 feet, areas of the harbor to facilitate navigation. and varies in width from 300-500 feet. The Corps' most recent work in Scituate Harbor * A 300-foot-long extension of the north jetty at Cedar consists of: Point. This work also included rehabilitating the rest � A 0.8-mile-long channel extending from deep water of the north jetty and the entire south jetty at First Cliff. to an anchorage at the head of the inner harbor From The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has constructed deep water extending to a point about 70 feet west two projects in Scituate Harbor The first is a breakwater of the jetty at First Cliff, the channel is 12 feet deep that extends southwesterly off Cedar Point; the second is a and 200 feet wide. From this area to a point about 50 six-foot-deep anchorage, 0.2 mile in length, that lies feet south of the Scituate Town Wharf, the channel is between the 10-foot-deep channel and the shoreline (in 10 feet deep and 200 feet wide. From this area to the front of the municipal park and parking area). Scituate Harbor 163 Roads in Nantucket Sound, around the southeastern flank of Harding Beach, to Stage Harbor However, significant shoaling of the channel from Momomoy Beach to the south resulted in reevaluation of the plan. After a detailed study the Corps relocated the channel from Chatham Roads directly through Harding Beach to the upper harbor The 2.1-mile-long channel is 10 feet deep and 150 feet wide. Also constructed were a 500-foot-long stone jetty at the south- western end of the relocated channel; a 2500-foot-long sand dike extending from Harding Beach across the harbor to Morris Island; and a 1500-foot-long timber jetty adjacent to the dike (The timber jetty was removed in 1982 as a danger to navigation after deterioration rendered it no longer effective). Taunton River ,-~ ~ The Taunton River rises near Brockton and flows gener- ally south to Mount Hope Bay in Fall River The waterway is used by recreational craft. The original project, completed in 1895, provided for a nine-mile-long channel extending from deep water at Somerset, near the mouth of the Assonet River, to Taunton. Sesuit Harbor in Dennis. The channel was 12 feet deep at Somerset and decreased to 11 feet at Taunton. The project in the Taunton River today consists of a 3.7-mile-long channel, 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide, that stretches from deep water at Somerset near the mouth of the Assonet River to Peters Point in Berkley. The channel passes through the communities of Freetown, Sesuit Harbor Dighton, and Berkley. This work was completed in 1940. Sesuit Harbor is located in Dennis, about 85 miles south- east of Boston Harbor The harbor is enjoyed by recre- ational boaters. Haven The project consists of a 2400-foot-long channel six feet Vineyard Haven Harbor deep extending from deep water in Cape Cod Bay to the Vineyard Haven Harbor in Tisbury lies on Martha's Vine- inner harbor. From Cape Cod Say to a point opposite the yard's northern shore, about four miles southeast of Woods Dennis Yacht Club, the channel is 00 feet wide. From the Hole and 22 miles southeast of New Bedford. Vineyard Dennis Yacht Club to the inner harbor, the channel is 80 feet Haven Harbor is used regularly by small coastal tankers wide. and ferries transporting freight, vehicles, and passengers Sesuit Harbor was completed in August 1982 as a small between the mainland and Martha's Vineyard. The harbor project under Section 107 of the Corps' Continuing Author- also serves as an anchorage and refuge for vessels pass- ities Program. ing through Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds. Original work in the harbor, completed in 1909, consisted of stone seawalls and jetties that protected the headlands Stage Harbor, Chatham from erosion and the harbor from shoaling by the eroded material. More recent work, completed in 1937, involved Stage Harbor in Chatham is located in the northeast cor- dredging a fairway area at the head of the harbor between ner of Nantucket Sound, about 16 miles east of Hyannis Steamboat Wharf and the state-built breakwater This tri- Harbor The harbor is used extensively by recreational angular-shaped area is 17 feet deep, 150-275 feet wide, and boaters and a small local fishing fleet. The Chatham Coast 1000 feet long. The project also includes a 12-foot-deep Guard Station maintains a boathouse facility and dock in anchorage behind the existing state breakwater, immedi- the inner harbor ately north of the fairway area. Original work in the harbor, completed in 1901, consisted of a channel six feet deep through the bars at the eastern end of Harding Beach. In 1957 the Corps completed a 10- foot-deep channel extending 2.5 miles from Chatham 164 Stage Harbor in Chatham. In 1917, the state deepened the channel to 12 feet over a Wareham Harbor 0 0-foot width from a point about 0.4 mile from the harbor Waream Hrboris lcate at he had o BuzardsBayentrance at Long Beach to an area immediately above Bar- in Wareham, about seven miles west of the Cape CodnesPit Canal. A large recreational fleet is based at the harbor The earliest work in Wareham Harbor, completed in 1876, consisted of a two-mile-long channel extending from the Wlfeflro harbor entrance adjacent to Long Beach to the lower wharves at Wareham. In the lower harbor, the channel was Weillfleet Harbor is located on the east side of Cape Cod 10 feet deep and 250-300 feet wide. In the upper harbor, the Bay in Wellfleet, about 12 miles south of Provincetown Har- channel was nine feet deep and 300 feet wide, narrowing to bor. It is an active center for recreational boating, commer- 100 feet along the Wareham waterfront, immediately below cial fishing, and sportfishing charter boats. the U.S. Route 6 Bridge. In 1877, the Corps built sand fences The earliest work in the harbor, completed in 1899, con- and planted beach grass at Long Beach to protect it from sisted of a channel four feet deep extending from deep erosion and keep the channel clear water to the town wharves at Duck Creek at the head of the In 1896, the Corps completed a nine-foot-deep channel harbor In 1916, the state dredged the channel to a depth of extending 1.8 miles from the harbor entrance adjacent to six feet. Long Beach to the lower wharves at Wareham. From the In 1958, the Corps completed modifications to Wellfleet harbor entrance to Barneys Point, a distance of one mile, Harbor These included dredging an 0.8-mile-long channel, the channel is about 125 feet wide. From Barheys Point to 10 feet deep and 125 feet wide, extending from "Deep Hole" the lower wharves at Wareham, the channel is about 250 in the middle of the harbor to the Wellfleet town landing; feet wide, narrowing to 100 feet for its last 1500 feet up to and a 10-foot-deep anchorage area, 500 feet long and 800 the U.S. Route 6 Bridge. feet wide, adjacent to the town wharf. 165 I3ellfeet Harbor Westport River Weymouth Back River The Westport River in Westport consists of two elon- Weymouth Back River in Weymouth and Hingham is gated tidal bays (East and West Branches) which join to located between Hingham Harbor on the east and Wey- enter the Atlantic Ocean immediately east of the Rhode mouth Fore River on the west, about 10 miles south of Bos- Island state line, about two miles west of Buzzards Bay. The ton. A local yacht club and several marinas are the river's East Branch has harbor facilities at its lower end, which is primary users. located immediately west of the Route 88 Bridge connect- Initial work on the Weymouth Back River, completed in ing Westport Point and Horseneck Beach. The harbor facili- 1912, consisted of a 12-foot-deep channel 200 feet wide ties are used mostly by recreational boaters. extending from the river mouth at Weymouth Lower Neck Corps' activity on the Westport River was completed in to the wharf of a former fertilizer company, about one mile 1893 and consisted of removing obstructions in the East upstream. The present project, completed in 1943, consists and West Branches to a depth of seven feet. In 1957, the of a 15-foot-deep channel extending from Weymouth state dredged two 14-foot-deep channels. The first was Lower Neck, through the bar at the river mouth, to the through the shoal area east of Halfmnile Rock at the mouth wharf of the former fertilizer company. The one-mile-long of the river; the second was in the inner harbor west of Her- channel is initially 250 feet wide at the mouth, then narrows seneck Point. to 200 feet wide. The project also includes a 400-foot-long turning basin, 350 feet wide, in the vicinity of the wharf. 166 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers Town River (before 1965) Town River, which lies entirely within Quincy city lihnits, is Weymouth Fore River and Town River were considered a tidal river about two miles long that empties into Wey- separate Corps' projects until 1965, when they were com- mouth Fore River between Quincy Point and Germantown bined into one project. Described below is the work com Point. Initial work on Town River, completed in 1906 con- pleted by the Corps in the respective rivers when they were sisted of a channel four feet deep extending westward separate projects and after the projects were merged. from the Weymouth Fore River. In 1958, the Corps completed additional work on the river Weymouth Fore River (before 1965) This work included a channel 27 feet deep and 250 feet Weymouth Fore River stretches for five miles from the wide extending about 1.3 miles from deep water in Wey- mouth of the Monatiquot River in Braintree to Hingham Bay, mouth Fore River to a point opposite the Quincy Oil Com- about nine miles south of Boston. Most of the river's upper pany terminal. Included as part of the channel's upper end end, from Smelt Brook at the Route 53 Bridge to a point was a 24-foot-deep turning basin with a general width of about 0.5 mile upstream of the Fore River Bridge (Route 400 feet. Also included was a 15-foot-deep channel 100 3A), lies along the Braintree-Weymouth line. The middle and feet wide extending from the head of the 27-foot-deep outer sections of the inlet lie along the Quincy-Weymouth channel upstream about 1300 feet to a point just below the line. Quincy Electric Light and Power Company Initial work on Weymouth Fore River, completed in 1927, consisted of a channel 24 feet deep extending about three Weymouth Fore River and Town River (after 1965) miles from Hingham Bay to the Fore River Bridge. In 1960, the Corps completed additional work on the In 1965 the two projects were combined and modified to river. This work included: facilitate navigation. These improvements included: � A channel through West Gut, which connects � Deepening to 35 feet the existing 30-foot-deep chan- Hingham Bay (to the east) and Quincy Bay in Quincy nel that extends from deep water in Nantasket (to the west). The channel is 27 feet deep and 300 Roads, past the Fore River Bridge, to the turning feet wide. basin at the site of the former General Dynamics � A 30-foot-deep channel that begins at Nantasket shipyard. Roads (a naturally deep anchorage northwest of � Widening a portion of the aforementioned channel. Hull), passes through the area between Nantasket The width of the channel section from deep water in Gut in Hull and Peddocks Island, and ends at the Fore Nantasket Roads through Nantasket Gut remained River Bridge. The channel's original width was gener- at 500 feet. However, the channel width across ally 500 feet wide from Nantasket Roads through Hingham Bay to the mouth of Weymouth Fore River Nantasket Gut, then generally 300 feet wide across increased from 300 to 400 feet. The width of the Hingham Bay to the Fore River Bridge. The channel channel from the mouth of Weymouth Fore River to extends about 2700 feet upstream of the bridge to the Fore River Bridge remained at 300 feet, and the form a turning basin 470 feet to 650 feet wide at the channel width from the bridge to the turning basin site of the former General Dynamics shipyard. remained generally at 400 feet wide. As part ofthe Weymouth Fore and Town River project, the Corps dredged a channelfrom deep water in Nantasket Roads, past the Fore River Bridge (left center), to the turning basin at the site of theformer General Dynamics shipyard (right). 167 A 35-foot-deep channel on the Town River in Weymouthfacilitates both commercial and recreational navigation. �Constructing a six-foot-deep channel on Weymouth W nho~ro Fore River extending from the head of the 35-foot channel along the former General Dynamics shipyard Winthrop Harbor in Winthrop, situated between Winthrop to the public landing in Braintree (Watson Park). The Head on the east and Logan Airport on the west, is about 8000-foot-long channel, which meets the needs of three miles north of Boston Harbor. The harbor is used prin- recreational navigation, is initially 100 feet wide, then cipally by recreational craft and an inshore fishing fleet. narrows to 80 feet, then finally to 60 feet. This chan- The project, completed in 1894, consists of a 0.7-mile- nel was completed in July 1983 as a small project long channel, six feet deep and 50 feet wide, extending under Section 107 of the Continuing Authorities from Winthrop Light to the Federal Government Wharf, for- P~rogram. merly Rice's Wharf. - Deepening to 35 feet the existing 27-foot-deep Town River channel that extends from deep water in Wey- mouth Fore River to the turning basin opposite the Quincy Oil Company terminal. The channel was also Woods Hole Channel widend to 00 fet, icreasng t 400-00 fet atWoods Hole Channel is part of "The Strait," the narrow the bends. ~~~~~~~~~waterway that connects Great Harbor (at the Woods Hole � Enlarging and deepening to 35 feet the existing 24-sectionofFalmouth)withBuzzards B.Ba z�~~~~~~~r~~~~sto of Famuh wit Buzzards Bay. Becaus Wod foot-deep tuning basin i Town RiverHole is the mainland's principal port and ferry terminal for � Dredging a turning basin 35 feet deep in King Cove, tafct n rmMrhsVnyrNnukt n h opposie theconflence f theWeymoth Foe andElizabeth Islands, the channel is heavily travelled. Town Rivers. During the 1870s, the Corps removed dangerous shoals � Adding about six acres in area to an existing state- adbudr hetnn aiaina h nrneo builteigh-foo-dee ancorag in own iverThisGreat Harbor and through "The Strait." By 1889, the Corps adiioa ac eg c opeste frtht at fh addiiona acragecompnsats fo tht pat ofthehad constructed a breakwater in Great Harbor, dredged a anchorge usuped wen theTown iver cannelchannel into Little Harbor, and constructed stone piers and was widened to 300 feet. ~~~retaining walls at the wharves of the former U.S. Fish Com- mission in Great Harbor. 168 The present dimensions of Woods Hole Channel were completed in 1913. It is 2500 feet long, 13 feet deep, and 300 feet wide. A 1300-foot-long branch channel that veers southeasterly from Woods Hole Channel towards Vineyard Sound (east of Nonamesset Island) was also constructed. Like the main channel, the branch channel is 13 feet deep and 300 feet wide. Winthrop Harbor 169 Shore and Bank Protection Of the New England states, Massachusetts ranks sec- The Corps has constructed 20 shore and bank protec- ond only to Maine in the length of its shoreline, and third to tion projects in Massachusetts to stem erosion of the Maine and Connecticut in total mileage of its rivers and shoreline and riverbanks. Half were built to protect the streams. shoreline and half were constructed to safeguard inland The Massachusetts shoreline is approximately 1200 streambanks. Total construction costs amount to $5.9 miles long. About 935 miles is privately owned, while 175 million. miles are owned by the state and 90 are owned by the fed- The following pages describe the Corps' shore and bank eral government. The state has approximately 5612 miles of protection projects in Massachusetts. (More information on rivers and streams. shore and bank protection is available on page 25). I The shore can take a beatingfrornm storm driven winds and waves. In September 1961, Hurricane Esther raised havoc with Rhode Islands Narragansett Pier, slamming waves against the seawall andflooding adjacent streets. (Copyright 1961 The Prov- idence Journal Company). 170 Shore and Bank Protection Projects in Massachusetts Alford North Scituate Beach Amesbury Oak Bluffs Town Beach Blackstone River, Millbury Plum Island Beach Clark Point Beach Plymouth Town Beach Covered Bridge, Housatonic River (Sheffield) Quincy Shore Beach Housatonic River, Sheffield Revere Beach Huntington ISouth River, Conway Island Avenue, Quincy Wessagussett Beach Lee West Branch, Westfield River (Huntington) North Nashua River, Lancaster Winthrop Beach 171 threatened the continued existence of Alliance Park as a recreation area. Unsightly pieces of broken sidewalk and stones of various sizes had been dumped on the riverbank in an attempt to control the erosion. The Corps responded to the problem by building a 480-foot-long gabion retaining wall with stone slope protection along its base. The project starts at the Main Street Bridge and extends for 230 feet along Alliance Park and the Powwow River, then continues for 250 feet along Alliance Park and the Merrimack River The project at Amesbury was constructed between October 1977 and June 1978 at a cost of $132,000. It is a small project, built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continu- ing Authorities Program. Blackstone River, Millbury The project on the Blackstone River in Millbury is located at the McCracken Road Bridge, about 2000 feet down- stream of the Massachusetts Turnpike. Large shoals had formed in the center of the Blackstone River and redirected the flow of the river These redirected ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~waters eroded a 300-foot-long section of the west river- About 280 feet ofearthfill dike with stone slope protection, bank, undermining the bridge's west abutment and threat- constructed at a bend in the Green River neatrA/ford, helps to ening the bridge's stability. The Corps removed the shoals stabilize Route 71. to restore the flow of the river to its original channel and constructed about 300 feet of stone slope protection along each riverbank. Although erosion had occurred only on the west riverbank, stone slope protection was also placed on Alford the east riverbank to protect it f romn possible erosion when the original river channel was restored. This project is located along the Green River in Hillsdale, The project was built between August-November 1985 New York, which borders the Massachusetts community of at a cost of $260,000. It is a smallI project, constructed Alford, 43 miles west of Springfield. Although officially in under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities New York State, the project provides protection to Alford Program. and was built by the Corps' New England Division. Significant flooding in June, October, and December of 1973 seriously eroded the shoulders and pavement of Route 71. River gravel from these floods settled in an adja- Clark Point Beach cent cornfield, and topsoil from the field was deposited in Clark Point Beach in New Bedford is located midway downstream wells, polluting the Great Barrington water along the west side of Clark Point. It fronts Hazelwood Park supply. The Corps' constructed 280 feet of earthfill dike and is popular with New Bedford residents during the with stone slope protection on the river's left bank to summer. reduce flood and erosion damage to Route 71. The project involved: Construction of the Alford project began in October 1975 o Widening about 1600 feet of beach along Rodney and was completed in June 1976 at a cost of $41,000. It is a French Boulevard West to a minimum width of smallI project, built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continu- 100 feet by the direct placement of sand; ing Authorities Program. - Raising the inshore end of an existing groin at Dudley Street, near the northern end of Clark Point; and aExtending two existing groins located near Valentine Amesbury ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Street. The groin opposite Valentine Street was extended by 160 feet, and the groin between Valen- The project in Amesbury is located at Alliance Park, at tine and Lucas Streets was extended by 85 feet. the confluence of the Powwow and Merrimack Rivers, Clark Point Beach is a small project, built under Section about 38 miles north of Boston. 103 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It was Significant erosion of the riverbanks from tides and ice completed in May 1980 at a cost of $456,000. 172 Clark Point Beach is popular with New Bedford residents during the summer season. Covered Bridge, Housatonic River (Sheffield) This project is located at an historic covered bridge in Sheffield, one of two covered bridges located midway along the Housatonic River The bridge is the oldest cov- ered bridge in Massachusetts and is listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. Erosion of the riverbanks had caused the west abutment of the bridge to crack, threatening the bridge's stability To prevent further erosion and protect the historic site, the Corps constructed a total of about 820 feet of stone slope protection on both riverbanks immediately upstream andi downstream of the bridge. Stone slope protection upstream of the bridge totals 440 feet-260 feet on the right bank and 180 feet on the left bank. Stone slope pro- The Covered Bridge, Housatonic River project in Sheffield tection downstream of the bridge totals 380 feet-170 feet protects Masasachusetts' oldest covered bridge, which is on the right bank and 210 feet on the left bank. To form a listed on the National ParkServices NationalRegister ofHis- protective bed and further stem erosion, the Corps placed toric Places. a total of 320 feet of stone protection on the bottom of the river-135 feet upstream and 185 feet downstream. The Covered Bridge project was built between October 1986 and August 1987 at a cost of $400,000. It is a small project, constructed under Section 14 of the Corps' Contin- uing Authorities Program. 173 Construction of this project occurred between April- August 1981 and cost $203,000. It is a small project, built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. Huntington The project in Huntington is located along the West _ ~~~Branch of the Westfield River adjacent to Old Chester __ ~~~~Road, about one mile west of Huntington center It is about 4 ~~~~~~~~~20 miles northwest of Springfield. Erosion of the riverbank threatened the stability of Old Chester Road. To strengthen the roadway, the Corps placed 400 feet of stone slope protection on the riverbank where Old Chester Road adjoins the West Branch of the Westfield River ~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~ I ~~~~~Huntington is a small project, built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It was con- structed between May-October 1959 at a cost of $4000. Island Avenue, Quincy Island Avenue is located along the west side of Great Hill in the Houghs Neck section of Quincy. Shoreline erosion had created a steep bluff at the edge of Island Avenue, adjacent to the shoreline. The eroded area, about 45 feet high and 300 feet long, endangered both Island Avenue and the main sewer line at the nearby Nut Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. In response to this problem, the Corps built about 265 feet of stone slope pro- t ection along Quincy Bay. Built between August 1982 and June 1983, Island Avenue is a small project, constructed under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It cost $172,000. About 1200 feet of stone slope protection on the bank ofthe Housatonic River in Sheffi eld prevents further erosion andLe protects US. Route 7Le The project in Lee lies on the Housatonic River, immedi- ately west of Tyringham Road and about 1000 feet down- stream of the Massachusetts Turnpike. It is about 10 miles south of Pittsfield and eight miles east of the Massachu- setts-New York border Liousatonic River, Sheffield The strong flows of the Housatonic River had seriously The ousaoni Rivr pojec inShefiel lie adacen toeroded a section of riverbank where the river bends U.S. Roustoni 7Risvera hunroedet sout ohffieldlogg Radjaen Ito sharply This erosion threatened to wash out a nearby U.s. aboute7 sevenralhudes featsoth of thellg Masachstt - e Yo r sewer main and undermine a siphon structure leading to sttinean about 6eve miles north of the Massachusetts-NwYr the Lee Sewage Treatment Plant. Had this occurred, the stat lin an abot 65 mies orthof he Mssahusets-Housatonic River would have been polluted with untreated Connecticut state line. municipal waste. In response to the problem, the Corps A bend in the Housatonic River was directing river flows placed 365 feet of stone slope protection along the eroded toward the west riverbank, adjacent to a section of U.S. riverbank, preventing further erosion and protecting the Route 7 The river flows were progressively eroding the integrity of the structures. bank and undercutting trees along the reach, seriously The Lee project was constructed between November threatening the stability of the roadway. To alleviate the 1974 and June 1975 at a cost of $38,000. It is a small project, problem, the Corps built 1200 feet of stone slope protection built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities along the bank to prevent further erosion. Program. 174 The Huntington project, built where Old Chester Road adjoins the West Branch ofthe Westfield River, strengthens the river- bank where erosion had threatened the stability ofthe ~.~,~ t~~~~~~~ ~ : . ~~~~roadway. The project on the Housa- tonic River in Lee consists oJ 365feet ofstone slope protec tion along a bend in the the riverbank. 175 The Corps placed 400 feel of stone slope protection on the hank ofthe North Nashua River in Lancaster to prevent further erosion and provide stabilit' to Lun- enhurg Road (Route 701) North Scituate Beach 176 ........i~r ,, ti,,, l~~ulH& ii iii i IIiilII Plum Island Beach in Newburyport. North Nashua River, Lancaster Oak Bluffs Town Beach The project on the North Nashua River in Lancaster is Oak Bluffs Town Beach is located in Oak Bluffs on the located adjacent to Lunenburg Road (Route 70). It is about eastern shore of Martha's Vineyard, about 800 feet south of 18 miles north of Worcester. the ferry landing. River flows and ice had significantly eroded an embank- The project involved widening 1200 feet of beach to ment of the North Nashua River, threatening Lunenburg 150-200 feet by the direct placement of sand, and con- Road. To prevent further erosion and strengthen the road- structing a 530-foot-long groin at the southern end of the way, the Corps placed 400 feet of stone slope protection on beach. the riverbank. Oak Bluffs Town Beach is a small project, constructed This project was built between September-November under Section 103 of the Continuing Authorities Program. It 1978 at a cost of $82,000. It is a small project, constructed was built between May-October 1973 at a cost of $472,000. under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. North Scituate Beach Plum Island Beach Plum Island Beach is located in Newbury, about 1.2 miles North Scituate Beach in Scituate is located along the south of Newburyport Harbor and about 49 miles north of southern shore of Massachusetts Bay, about 1.5 miles Boston. The beach is a popular summer recreational area south of Strawberry Point and 10 miles south of Boston located immediately north of the Plum Island Turnpike. Harbor Although nearby parking is for Scituate residents The project widened an 800-foot-long section of beach only, the beach is a public one and very popular with the by the direct placement of sand, strengthened the dune seasonal community with sand replishment, and stabilized the embankment. The project involved widening about 2500 feet of beach Plum Island Beach is a small project, built under Section to a 125-foot width by the direct placement of sand. It was 103 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It was completed in February 1967 at a cost of $213,000. completed in April 1973 at a cost of $224,000. 177 Quincy Shore Beach Plymouth Town Beach --Constructing a culvert at Sachem Creek. --Extending four existing drains, located at various Plymouth Town Beach is located along the Warren Cove points across the beach, to ensure they discharge seaward section of Plymouth, immediately south of a state-built sea- of the above-mentioned structures. wall situated at the base of Plymouth Harbor's long spit. The project was completed in August 1959 at a cost of The project involved the construction of two groins, each $1.9 million. about 300 feet long, and a concrete seawall about 165 feet long. The seawall was completed in June 1961 and the two groins in November 1968. The total cost of the project was $16,000. Revere Beach Revere Beach in Revere is one of the largest public Quincy Shore Beach beaches in the Boston metropolitan area and the nation's oldest public beach. The location and accessibility of the Quincy Shore Beach, also known locally as Wollaston beach in a heavily populated part of the state, the availabil- Beach, is located in Quincy along Quincy Bay and parallel ity of mass transit, its long (three miles) sandy coastline, and to Quincy Shore Drive. The beach serves a large number of the development of a state-operated reservation have city residents and is an extremely popular recreational spot. made Revere Beach one of the most popular and heavily- The project involved: used beaches in Massachusetts. It is operated and main- -Strengthening the backshore by placing approximately tained by the Metropolitan District Commission. 136,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel and 221,000 cubic In 1954, Congress authorized the Corps to replenish yards of sand along an 8500-foot-long stretch of beach 522,000 cubic yards of beach extending from Northern Cir- between Hovey Street and the Rufes Hummock Seawall. cle to Shirley Avenue. Work on the project began in the -Constructing a steel sheet pile bulkhead, encased in mid-1950s and about 170,000 cubic yards of sand had been concrete, between Bayfield Street and the National Sailor's placed along the southern 5000 feet of beach when work Home Hill seawall, a distance of 5100 feet. The bulkhead was halted because the city was unable to meet its fiscal has a top elevation of 18 feet. requirements. The project was about one-third complete -Constructing a second steel sheet pile bulkhead, also and had cost $217,000. encased in concrete. This bulkhead, which has a top eleva- The city has recently expressed an interest in finishing tion of 19.2 feet, starts at high ground at Billings Street and the work by meeting its cost-sharing requirements. When extends for a distance of 325 feet. completed, about 13,000 feet of beach will have been 178 Revere Beach widened to an average width of 185 feet by the direct place - - Constructing a 375-foot-long stone groin containing a ment of sand. The completed project is expected to cost drain pipe and tide gate; and $10.7 million and will furnish a protective and recreational -Building drainage facilities. beach along the middle 70 percent of the Revere shore- Work in the Regatta Road and River Street area involved: front. Funds have been appropriated by Congress to begin -Widening about 1600 feet of beach to a general width construction. (For more information on this project, see of 125 feet by the direct placement of sand; "Revere Beach" under the section entitled "Studies" on -Constructing a 350-foot-long stone groin; and page 184). -Building two stone seawalls totalling 1040 feet. One seawall is located along the westerly end of Regatta Road and is about 500 feet long. The second seawall runs along River Street and is 540 feet long. South River, Conway ~~~~~~Work in the Wessagussett Road area was completed in Theproecton heSouth River in Conway lies adjacent 1959. Work in the Regatta Road and River Street area was to ot 1 n hor itne donsroeam of the completed in 1964 except for the widening of the beach, Poland Road Covered Bridge. which was completed in April 1969. The total cost of the Erosion of the South River embankment in two separate Wessagussett Beach project was $381,000. areas threatened the stability of Route 116. To strengthen the roadway, the Corps placed a total of 650 feet of stone slope protection on the embankment. The two sections W Vest -Branch, WVestfield River with stone slope protection, 200 feet and 450 feet long, respectively are separated by 2000 feet of undamaged (Hluntington) embankment. Construction took place between September-October The project on the West Branch of the Westfield River in 1986 at a cost of $132,000. It is a small project, built under Huntington is situated at the western end of the railroad Section 14 of the Corps! Continuing Authorities Program. bridge that crosses the river immediately upstream of the town center. Erosion along 350 feet of the West Branch's right bank had exposed an eight-foot-long sewer line and the encase- XWessagussett Beach ment of Huntington's sewer siphon, subjecting it to possible freezing and breakage. To protect these structures, the Wessagussett Beach in Weymouth is located on Corps placed 350 feet of stone slope protection along the Hingham Bay along most of the North Weymouth eroded riverbank. shorefront. This project was constructed between June-September The project involved work in two areas-the Wessagus- 1983 at a cost of $116,000. It is a small project, built under sett Road area and the Regatta Road and River Street Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. area. Work in the Wessagussett Road area involved: -Widening an approximately 1000-foot-long stretch of beach to widths ranging from 35-125 feet by the direct placement of sand; 179 The project on the West Branch of the Westfield River in Huntington, immediately upstream of the town center, consists of 350feet of stone slope protection that protects against erosion. Winthrop Beach Winthrop Beach is located in Winthrop and lies between Winthrop Highlands to the north and Winthrop Head to the south. It is popular with area residents. The project, completed in 1959 at a cost of $530,000, involved: -Raising two sections of the existing state-built seawall by two to three feet. The raised sections include the 300- foot-long stretch of seawall between Wave Way and Pearl Avenue, and the 1500 feet of seawall between Irwin Street and Beacon Street. -Extending a 400-foot-long section of seawall between Trident Avenue and Wave Way. -Constructing five stone groins along the northern and southern sections of the beach. The groins range in length from 250-500 feet and have an aggregate length of 1570 feet. -Placing 245,000 cubic yards of sand between the groins to replenish the beach. 180 Studies 181 Studies Before taking measures to resolve a water resources to storm surges from hurricanes. This study will provide problem, the Corps will study the affected area to deter- information on land areas vulnerable to hurricane threats; mine if a project is feasible. The study examines a wide potential surge heights from hurricanes; special problems range of potential solutions based on their economic and within each community presented by hurricane threats; and engineering practicality, acceptability, and impact on the the time required to safely evacuate the vulnerable popula- environment. tion. This information can then be used by the state and Listed below are areas in Massachusetts where the local communities to update or develop hurricane response Corps has examined (during the period 1981-87) the feasi- plans. The study is continuing. bility of building major projects for flood damage reduction, navigation, or shore and bank protection purposes. Riverdale, West Springfield The Corps has completed a study that verifies the need and economic feasibility of expanding the pumping station Flood Damage Reduction at the Riverdale Local Protection Project in West Spring- field (page 122). The project would consist of adding a diesel-powered pump and constructing a five-foot- Housatonic River Basin diameter concrete culvert through the dike. The study cited The Corps investigated flood control and water supply both increased stormwater runoff and the likelihood of problems in22communitiesintheHousatoni v er Bfuture development in the area as viable reasons to expand problems in 22 communities in the Housatonic River Basin, the pumping station. West Springfield officials have including Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Danbury Connecticut expressed strong support for the proposed expansion and and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This area is experiencingexrsdstoguprtfrherpsdepainad and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This area is experiencing a willingness to cost-share in its construction, which is esti- rapid population, industrial, and commercial growth, with mated at $750,000. If constructed, the project would be accompnying ater rsourceprobles and eeds.mated at $750,000. If constructed, the project would be accompanying water resource problems ande needs. built under Section 205 of the Continuing Authorities Pro- For flood control, the study recommended the develop- ram Small Pro ects. ment of a floodplain management program to regulate g future development in the floodplain. It was also recom- mended that additional studies to limit flood damage be Spicket River, Methuen and Lawrence coordinated through the Continuing Authorities (Small Flooding conditions along the Spicket River in Methuen Projects) Program. Information developed from the study and Lawrence and in the adjacent upstream community of regarding water supply demands and needs was made Salem, New Hampshire, have led the Corps to conduct a available to the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and study that is investigating ways to reduce flood damage. other interests as a guide for future action. The study will encompass problem areas in the three communities. Knightville Dam and Westfield communities. The flood control potential of Knightville Dam in Hunting- ton (page 70) is being reevaluated under a regional plan Town Brook developed by the Connecticut River Basin Comprehensive Town Brook is a small channel that flows through the Study Group. Original emphasis on finding additional flood- heavily developed city of Quincy and the town of Braintree. water storage to compensate for Knightville Dam's limited Because it does not have the capacity to carry floodwaters reservoir capacity has been expanded to a reexamination from its watershed, Town Brook is causing increasingly of Westfield's local flood protection measures. Options severe and frequent flooding in the residential and com- under consideration are construction of a Local Protection mercial districts of these communities. A recurrence today Project(s), a new dam, a tunnel that would divert flood- of the 1955 flood would cause damages estimated at $11 waters around Westfield, and a modification of Knightville million. Dam and/or Littleville Lake in Huntington and Chester The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 passed (page 72) that would provide additional storage. by Congress authorized a $29.7 million Local Protection City officials have indicated support for these efforts. Project on Town Brook that would greatly limit flood dam- to the ~~Project on Town Brook that would greatly limit flood dam- This continuing study will give special attention to the age. The proposed project consists of a rock tunnel 4060 effects of flooding conditions during the April 1987 flood. feet long with a 12-foot diameter; an earthfill dike along the north shore of the reservoir at the Old Quincy Dam; a recon- Massachusetts Hurricane Evacuation structed Old Quincy Dam; and a 300-foot-long precast con- In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management crete culvert. It is estimated that the average annual bene- Agency, the Corps has initiated a hurricane evacuation fits from this comprehensive flood protection system study for southern Massachusetts communities vulnerable would approach $3 million. 182 Funds have been appropriated by Congress to initiate is dependent upon continued local support and future con- construction, which is scheduled to begin once wetland gressional appropriations. permits are obtained. The project is scheduled to be com- pleted in February 1991. Point of Pines This study is complete and Corps' engineers are working Note: The following three studies--Saugus River and Tri- on final plans and specifications for a 5000-foot-long stone butaries, Roughans Point, and Point of Pines-concern sep- revetment, an earthfill dike, and the restoration of sand arate problem areas in Revere that suffered major damage dunes that would protect 360 homes in the Point of Pines from coastal flooding during the Blizzard of 1978. Although area from coastal flooding. The estimated cost of the entire the three areas are in one city the studies are independent project is $5 million. of each other, and each problem area is being examined individually. The studies are not dependent on each other in any way A brief summary of each study is outlined below. Navigation Saugus River and Tributaries This continuing study is examining ways coastal flood Boston Harbor (including the Mystic and Chelsea Rivers) damage can be reduced in developed areas behind Revere A study indicates that deepening three of Boston Beach, the area east of Northgate Shopping Center in Harbor's commercial navigation channels to 40 feet is Revere, and certain areas in the adjacent communities of economically justified. These channels are the Mystic River, Lynn, Malden, and Saugus. These areas are subject to fre- Chelsea River, and South Boston Reserved Channel. quent widespread tidal flooding and were hit particularly The deepening of the channels would primarily benefit hard during the Blizzard of 1978. In Revere, flood damages local petroleum product importers and scrap exporters, to more than 1400 properties were estimated at $14.4 mil- who together last year accounted for about 93 percent of lion. In Lynn, more than 800 properties suffered flood dam- all shipping in the Port of Boston. Project benefits would be ages estimated at $10.1 million. Additional damages were realized through reduced tidal delays for larger vessels and suffered to properties in Saugus and MaIden. the capability of Boston Harbor to receive and ship larger One option under serious consideration is the construc- cargos. tion of floodgates on the Saugus River and shore protec- The Massachusetts Port Authority is arranging the tion along Revere Beach and Lynn Harbor This plan would nearly $8 million in local cost-sharing for the $23 million reduce flood damage to about 5000 buildings in the four project. (More information on the existing Boston Harbor communities. Several informative meetings and workshops project is available on page 142). to discuss this and other alternatives have been held among federal, state, and local agencies, the public, and Corps' officials. The Corps is continuing to evaluate alterna- Gloucester Harbor tives based on information received from environmental A study is continuing on the need for channel and studies and public involvement meetings. A public review of anchorage improvements at Smith Cove in Gloucester a combined Environmental Impact Statement and Environ- Harbor The proposed project would provide an eight-foot- mental Impact Report is scheduled for 1989. deep, 80-foot-wide, and 750-foot-long access channel to an anchorage within the cove. (More information on the Roughans Point existing project at Gloucester Harbor and the Annisquam Flooding from storm tides and wave overtopping is a River is available on page 151). constant problem at Roughans Point. Damages occur annually, with severe flooding occurring on an average of Merrimack River every eight years. The most severe recent flooding occurred in 1959,1972, and 1978. This project, authorized The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 autho- for construction by the Water Resources Development Act rized planning, engineering, and design of navigation of 1986, involves the construction of a 4080-foot-long stone improvements on the Merrimack River from Lowell to revetment and an earthfill dike. These measures, which will Lawrence. The design and engineering plans will cost an cost an estimated $9.4 million, will protect over 300 struc- estimated $800,000 and will begin once Congress appro- tures (including more than 290 homes), reduce wave action, priates monies. and help preserve the MDC floodwall by limiting overtop- The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 also ping. If a storm similar to the Blizzard of 1978 were to reoc- authorized a study of navigation improvements from cur, the completed project would reduce damages by 92 Lawrence to Haverhill and from Haverhill to the mouth of percent. the Merrimack River in Newburyport. This study will begin The study for the Roughans Point project is complete, when Congress appropriates monies. (More information on but preconstruction engineering and the preparation of the existing Merrimack River project is available on design memoranda are continuing. Project implementation page 156). 183 Nantucket Harbor A study is underway concerning the need for an access channel to the municipal pier at Nantucket Harbor and an access channel leading to the naturally deep anchorage at the eastern end of Polpis Harbor If warranted, the project willI be constructed under Section 107 of the Continuing Authorities Program (Small Projects). (More information on the existing Nantucket Harbor project is available on page 157). Saugus River The Corps is studying a request to make channel and anchorage improvements in the Saugus River at Saugus and Lynn. The study is being coordinated with municipal plans for development of the river. Shore Protection Hull The Corps is studying the feasibility of providing shore protection to Nantasket North Beach. If constructed, the project would be built under Section 103 of the Continuing Authorities Program (Small Projects). Revere Beach Erosion of the three-mile-long Revere Beach during fre- quent coastal storms coincident with a high tide level has greatly reduced the beach's ability to offer shore protection and recreation. Normal high tides now approach and even reach the seawalls that extend along the backshore. Sand replenishment would protect the beach and add to its rec- reational value, as well as substantially reduce repair costs to the deteriorating seawallIs by reducing wave overtopping. The Revere Beach erosion control project will restore 13,000 feet of beach to an average width of 185 feet. The completed project is expected to cost $10.7 million and will furnish a protected recreational beach along the middle 70 percent of the Revere shorefront. Funds have been appro- priated by Congress to begin construction. The estimated completion date is June 1989. (More information about the Revere Beach shore protection project can be found on page 178). 184 Appendix 185 Communities With Corps Projects The communities listed below have either Corps' lands Reduction, Navigation, or Shore and Bank Protection), and or Corps-built projects lying within their borders. The listing the page number in this booklet where the project is indicates the project name, its purpose (Flood Damage described. Community Project Name Page No. Adams Adams Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 86 Amesbury Amesbury (Shore and Bank Protection) 172 Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 Athol Tully Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 74 Auburn Worcester Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 138 Barre Barre Falls Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 58 Bellingham Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Berkley Taunton River (Navigation) 164 Beverly Beverly Harbor (Navigation) 142 Blackstone Blackstone River Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 88 Boston Boston Harbor (Navigation) 142 Charles River Dam Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 94 Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Dorchester Bay and Neponset River (Navigation) 149 Mystic River (Navigation) 156 Bourne Buttermilk Bay (Navigation) 144 Cape Cod Canal (Navigation) 144 Braintree Hayward Creek Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 106 Smelt Brook Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 126 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers (Navigation) 167 Brimfield East Brimfield Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 66 Canton Canton Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 92 Chariton Buffumville Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 62 Chatham Stage Harbor (Navigation) 164 Pollock Rip Shoals (Navigation) 159 Chelsea Boston Harbor (Navigation) 142 Island End River (Navigation) 154 Mystic River (Navigation) 156 Chester Littleville Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 72 Chesterfield Knightville Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 70 Chicopee Chicopee Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 98 Chicopee Falls Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 100 Chilmark Menemsha Creek (Navigation) 156 Cohasset Cohasset Harbor (Navigation) 148 Conway South River (Shore and Bank Protection) 179 Dedham Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Dennis Sesuit Harbor (Navigation) 164 Dighton Taunton River (Navigation) 164 Dover Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Duxbury Duxbury Harbor (Navigation) 150 Edgartown Edgartown Harbor (Navigation) 150 Essex Essex River (Navigation) 150 Everett Island End River (Navigation) 154 Maiden River (Navigation) 156 Mystic River (Navigation) 156 186 Community Project Name Page No. Fairhaven New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier (Flood Damage Reduction) 82 New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor (Navigation) 158 Fall River Fall River Harbor (Navigation) 150 Falmouth Falmouth Harbor (Navigation) 151 Little Harbor, Woods Hole (Navigation) 155 Woods Hole Channel (Navigation) 168 Fitchburg North Nashua River Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 118 Framingham Saxonville Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 124 Franklin Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Freetown Taunton River (Navigation) 164 Gardner Gardner Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 102 Gay Head Menemsha Creek (Navigation) 156 Gloucester Gloucester Harbor and Annisquam River (Navigation) 151 Gosnold Canapitsit Channel (Navigation) 144 Cuttyhunk Harbor (Navigation) 149 Groveland Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 Harwich Andrews River (Navigation) 142 Haverhill Haverhill Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 104 Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 Hillsdale, N.Y Alford (Shore and Bank Protection) 172 Hingham Hingham Harbor (Navigation) 153 Weymouth Back River (Navigation) 166 Holland East Brimfield Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 66 Holliston Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Holyoke Holyoke and Springdale Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 108 Hubbardston Barre Falls Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 58 Hull Boston Harbor (Navigation) 142 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers (Navigation) 167 Huntington Huntington (Shore and Bank Protection) 174 Knightville Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 70 Littleville Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 72 West Branch, Westfield River (Shore and Bank Protection) 179 Hyannis Hyannis Harbor (Navigation) 153 Ipswich Ipswich River (Navigation) 154 Lancaster North Nashua River (Shore and Bank Protection) 177 Lee Lee (Shore and Bank Protection) 174 Lowell Lowell Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 114 Lynn Lynn Harbor (Navigation) 155 Maiden Maiden River (Navigation) 156 Marshfield Green Harbor (Navigation) 153 Medford Malden River (Navigation) 156 Mystic River (Navigation) 156 Medfield Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Medway Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Merrimac Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 Millbury Blackstone River (Shore and Bank Protection) 172 Worcester Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 138 Millis Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Monson Conant Brook Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 64 Nantucket Cross Rip Shoals (Navigation) 148 Nantucket Harbor (Navigation) 157 Natick Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Needham Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 187 Community Project Name Page No. New Bedford Clark Point Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 172 New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier (Flood Damage Reduction) 82 New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor (Navigation) 158 Newbury Plum Island Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 177 Newburyport Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 Newburyport Harbor (Navigation) 158 Newton Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Norfolk Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 North Adams North Adams Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 116 Northampton Northampton Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 120 Northbridge West Hill Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 76 Oak Bluffs Lagoon Pond (Navigation) 154 Oak Bluffs Town Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 177 Oakham Barre Falls Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 58 Oxford Buffumville Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 62 Hodges Village Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 68 Palmer Three Rivers Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 130 Pittsfield Housatonic River Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 110 Plymouth Kingston Harbor (Navigation) 154 Plymouth Harbor (Navigation) 158 Plymouth Town Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 178 Portsmouth, R.I. Fall River Harbor (Navigation) 150 Provincetown Provincetown Harbor (Navigation) 159 Quincy Dorchester Bay and Neponset River (Navigation) 149 Hayward Creek Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 106 Island Avenue (Shore and Bank Protection) 174 Quincy Shore Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 178 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers (Navigation) 167 Revere Revere Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 178 Rockport Rockport Harbor and Pigeon Cove (Navigation) 160 Sandy Bay (Navigation) 162 Royalston Birch Hill Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 60 Tully Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 74 Rutland Barre Falls Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 58 Salem Salem Harbor (Navigation) 162 Salisbury Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 Sandwich Cape Cod Canal (Navigation) 144 Scituate Bound Brook Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 90 North Scituate Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 177 Scituate Harbor (Navigation) 163 Sheffield Covered Bridge, Housatonic River (Shore and Bank Protection) 173 Housatonic River (Shore and Bank Protection) 174 Sherborn Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Somerset Fall River Harbor (Navigation) 150 Taunton River (Navigation) 164 Somerville Mystic River (Navigation) 156 Southbridge Westville Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 78 Springfield Springfield Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 128 Sturbridge East Brimfield Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 66 Westville Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 78 Templeton Birch Hill Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 60 Tisbury Lagoon Pond (Navigation) 154 Vineyard Haven Harbor (Navigation) 164 188 Community Project Name Page No. Tiverton, RIl FallI River Harbor (Navigation) 150 Upton West Hill Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 76 Uxbridge West Hill Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 76 Walpole Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Ware Ware Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 132 Wareham ButtermilIk Bay (Navigation) 144 Cape Cod Canal (Navigation) 144 Wareham Harbor (Navigation) 165 Wel/fleet Weli fleet Harbor (Navigation) 165 West Newbury Merrimack River (Navigation) 156 West Springfield Riverdale Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 122 West Springfield Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 134 West Warren West Warren Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 136 Westfield Little River Dike Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 112 Westport Westport River (Navigation) 166 Weymouth Smelt Brook Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 126 Wessagussett Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 179 Weymouth Back River (Navigation) 166 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers (Navigation) 167 Winchendon , Birch Hill Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 60 Winthrop Winthrop Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 180 Winthrop Harbor (Navigation) 168 Wrent ham Charles River Natural Valley Storage LPP (Flood Damage Reduction) 96 Glossary Anchorage-an area dredged to a certain depth to allow Gabion Wall-a retaining wall constructed of stone-filled boats and ships to moor or anchor wire mesh baskets. Bedrock-rock of relatively great thickness lying in its Groins-structures that extend perpendicular from the native location. shore in a fingerlike manner to trap and retain sand, Breakwaters-structures, usually built offshore, that retarding erosion and maintaining shore alignment and protect the shoreline, harbor, channels, and anchorages stability by intercepting the energy of approaching waves. Hurricane Protection Barriers-structures built Bulkheads-steel sheet piling or timber walls that pre- across harbors or near the shoreline that protect com- vent sliding of the land and protect the streambank or munities from tidal surges and coastal storm flooding. shoreline from erosion. They are often constructed with openings for naviga- Conduits-concrete tunnels or pipes that divert flood- tional purposes. waters around or under potential flood damage sites. Intake Structure-found at the entrance to a conduit or Culverts-large pipes, usually constructed below bridges other outlet facility an intake structure allows water to and other water crossings, that allow water to pass drain from a reservoir or river and is equipped with a downstream and provide support to the crossing. trash rack or other feature that prevents clogging from Dikes-earthfill barriers that confine floodwaters to the floating debris. river channel, protecting flood prone areas. Jetties-structures that stabilize a channel by preventing Drainage Area-the total land area where surface water the buildup of sediment and directing and confining the runs off and collects in a stream or series or streams that channel's tidal flow. Jetties are usually built at the mouth make up a single watershed. of rivers and extend perpendicular from the shore. Drop Structure-a device in a stream or channel that Outlet Works-gated conduits, usually located at the prevents water from rising above a certain elevation. base of a dam, that regulate the discharge of water Once water reaches a certain level, excess water passes Pumping Station-a structure containing pumps that over the structure and is diverted to another body of discharges floodwaters from a protected area over or water. through a dike or floodwall and into a river or ocean. Earthfill-a well graded mixture of soil containing princi- Reconnaissance Study-a preliminary study that pally gravel, sand, silt, and clay, which is used with other examines a wide range of potential solutions to a water materials to construct dams, dikes, and hurricane pro- resources problem, each of which is reviewed for its eco- tection barriers. nomic and engineering practicality acceptability and Environmental Assessment-an examination of the impact on the environment. positive and adverse impacts on the environment of a Recreation Pool-any permanent body of water proposed water resources solution and alternative impounded by a dam that offers recreational opportuni- solutions. ties or promotes fishery and wildlife habitat. Environmental Impact Statement-a detailed envi- Retaining Walls-walls made of stone, reinforced con- ronmental analysis and documentation of a proposed crete, precast concrete blocks, or gabion that support water resources solution when the proposed solution is streambanks weakened by erosion. expected to have a significant effect on the quality of the Revetment-a facing of stone or concrete constructed human environment or the area's ecology along a backshore or riverbank to protect against ero- Feasibility Study-a detailed investigation, conducted sion or flooding. after the reconnaissance study is completed, that recom- Sand Drain-a layer of pervious materials, such as sand mends a specific solution to a water resource problem. and gravel, placed beneath the downstream section of a Floodplain-the land adjoining a river, stream, ocean, or dam that carries seepage to the dam's downstream limits lake that is likely to be flooded during periods of excess and out into the stream. precipitation or abnormal high tide. Sand Replishment-quantities of sand placed on a Floodproofing-structural measures incorporated in the shoreline to restore or widen a beach's dimensions. Sand design of planned buildings or alterations added to exist- replenishment strengthens beaches affected by erosion, ing ones that lessen the potential for flood damage. For protects the backshore from wave action, and stops the example, existing structures could have their basement inland advance of water windows blocked, or structures in the design stage could Seawall-a reinforced concrete wall built along a shore- be built on stilts or high foundations. line to protect against erosion or flooding. Floodwalls-reinforced concrete walls that act as bar- Snagging and Clearing-the removal of accumulated riers against floodwaters and confine them to the river snags and debris, such as fallen trees, dead brush, and channel, protecting flood prone areas. Floodwalls are silt, from river and stream channels. Snagging and clear- usually built in areas with a limited amount of space. ing improves a channel's flow capacity and eliminates a potentially dangerous flood situation. 190 Spillway-a channel-shaped structure, usually made of from settling and ensuring that adequate depths are concrete or excavated in rock, that allows water exceed- maintained. ing the storage capacity of a reservoir to pass through or Training Wall-a structure built along channel banks to around a dam instead of overtopping it. narrow the channel area, thereby controlling the velocity Stone Slope Protection-a layer of large stones, of the flow of water and preventing the buildup of sedi- usually underlain by a layer of gravel bedding, designed ment. Training walls and training dikes have the same to prevent erosion from streamflow, wave attack, and purpose: to ensure adequate depths are maintained. runoff. Vehicular Gate-an opening in a dike or floodwall that Stoplog Structure-a designed opening in a floodwall allows rail cars or other vehicles to pass over the struc- or dike that allows the passage of water during non-flood ture during nonflood periods. Vehicular gates can be periods but closes during flood periods to prevent flood- closed during flood periods by either stoplogs or large ing downstream. Stoplog structures can be made of steel gates. wood or steel or concrete beams. Weir-a concrete structure designed as part of the spill- Training Dike-a structure extending from the shore into way that allows water to flow from the reservoir and over the water that redirects the current, preventing sediment the spillway. 191 Index Page No. Page No. Adams Local Protection Project 86 Emergency Response and Recovery 36 Alford 172 Environmental Commitment 6 Amesbury 172 Essex River 150 Andrews River 142 Appendix 185 Fall River Harbor 150 Aquatic Plant Control 39 Falmouth Harbor 151 Fish and Wildlife 32 Bank Protection 27 Flood Damage Reduction (General) 16 Barre Falls Dam 58 Flood Damage Reduction (Projects) 54 Beverly Harbor 142 Flooding in New England 8 Birch Hill Dam 60 Floodplain Management Services 16 Blackstone River Basin 50 Gardner Local Protection Project 102 Blackstone River, Blackstone Local Protection Project 88 Glossary 190 Blackstone River, Millbury 172 Gloucester Harbor and Annisquam River 151 Boston Harbor 142 Gloucester Harbor Study 183 Boston Harbor Study 183 Green Harbor 153 Bound Brook, Scituate Local Protection Project 90 Buffumville Lake 62 Haverhill Local Protection Project 104 Buttermilk Bay 144 Hayward Creek, Quincy and Braintree Local Protection Project 106 Canapitsit Channel 144 Hazardous Waste 41 Canton Local Protection Project 92 Hingham Harbor 153 Cape Cod Canal 144 Hodges Village Dam 68 Charles River Basin 51 Holyoke and Springdale Local Protection Project 108 Charles River Dam Local Protection Project 94 Housatonic River Basin 47 Charles River Natural Valley Storage Housatonic River Basin Study 182 Local Protection Project 96 Housatonic River, Pittsfield Local Protection Project 110 Chicopee Local Protection Project 98 Housatonic River, Sheffield 174 Chicopee Falls Local Protection Project 100 Hudson River Basin 53 Clark Point Beach 172 Hull Study 184 Cohasset Harbor 148 Huntington 174 Communities with Corps' Projects Hurricane Protection Barrier 81 (Alphabetical Listing) 186 Hyannis Harbor 153 Conant Brook Dam 64 Hydroelectric Power 29 Connecticut River Basin 46 Contaminated Water/Drought Assistance 38 Introduction 2 Continuing Authorities Program (Small Projects) 30 Ipswich River 154 Corps/EPA Wastewater Treatment Construction Island Avenue, Quincy 174 Grants Program 40 Island End River 154 Covered Bridge, Housatonic River (Sheffield) 173 Cross Rip Shoals 148 Kingston Harbor 154 Cuttyhunk Harbor 149 Knightville Dam 70 Knightville Dam and Westfield Study 182 Dams and Reservoirs 57 Description of Projects 44 Lagoon Pond 154 Disaster Prepardness 36 Lee 174 Dorchester Bay and Neponset River 149 Little Harbor, Woods Hole 155 Duxbury Harbor 150 Little River Dike, Westfield Local Protection Project 112 Littleville Lake 72 East Brimfield Lake 66 Lowell Local Protection Project 114 Edgartown Harbor 150 Lynn Harbor 155 Emergency Operations 36 192 Page No. Page No. Maiden River 156 Sandy Bay 162 Massachusetts Hurricane Evacuation Study 182 Saugus River and Tributaries Study 183 Menemsha Creek 156 Saugus River Study 184 Merrimack River 156 Saxonville Local Protection Project 124 Merrimack River Study 183 Scituate Harbor 163 Merrimack River Basin 49 Scope (of the Corps) 2 Mystic River 156 Sesuit Harbor 164 Shore and Bank Protection (General) 25 Nantucket Harbor 157 Shore and Bank Protection (Projects) 170 Nantucket Harbor Study 184 Shore Protection 25 Natural Resources Management 32 Smelt Brook, Weymouth and Braintree Navigation (General) 22 Local Protection Project 126 Navigation (Projects) 140 South River, Conway 179 Neponset River Basin 52 Spicket River Study, Methuen and Lawrence 182 New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbor 158 Springfield Local Protection Project 128 New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier 82 Stage Harbor, Chatham 164 Newburyport Harbor 158 Structural and Nonstructural Measures 16 North Adams Local Protection Project 116 Studies 181 North Nashua River, Fitchburg Local Protection Project 118 Taunton River 164 North Nashua River, Lancaster 177 Taunton River Basin 45 North Scituate Beach 177 Thames River Basin 48 Northampton Local Protection Project 120 Three Rivers, Palmer Local Protection Project 130 Today's Corps 3 Oak Bluffs Town Beach 177 Town Brook Study 182 Other Programs and Services 39 Tully Lake 74 Permits Program 40 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Plum Island Beach 177 Programs and Services 1 Plymouth Harbor 158 Plymouth Town Beach 178 Vineyard Haven Harbor 164 Point of Pines Study 183 Pollock Rip Shoals 159 Ware Local Protection Project 132 Project Formulation 4 Wareham Harbor 165 Provincetown Harbor 159 Water Quality Control Program 39 Water Resource Planning Assistance to States 39 Quincy Shore Beach 178 Wellfleet Harbor 165 Wessagussett Beach 179 Recreation 32 West Branch, Westfield River (Huntington) 179 Recreation at Corps' Dams (Pictorial) 34 West Hill Dam 76 Reservoir Control Center 18 West Springfield Local Protection Project 134 Revere Beach 178 West Warren Local Protection Project 136 Revere Beach Study 184 Westport River 166 River Basins 45 Westville Lake 78 Riverdale, West Springfield Wetlands 40 Local Protection Project 122 Weymouth Back River 166 Riverdale, West Springfield Study 182 Weymouth Fore and Town Rivers 167 Rockport Harbor and Pigeon Cove 160 Winthrop Beach 180 Roots (of the Corps) 2 Winthrop Harbor 168 Roughans Point Study 183 Woods Hole Channel 168 Worcester Local Protection Project 138 Salem Harbor 162 193