Water Quality Monitoring

The SVCA has been monitoring river water quality at multiple sites on the river above Sheepscot Village. Results from this volunteer program have been used to illustrate the effects of contamination from several overboard discharges that have since been removed. In addition, data from this highly successful volunteer effort have been used to identify areas with elevated water temperature and depressed dissolved oxygen levels, both of which can have serious impacts on salmon and other anadromous fish populations.

From the Executive Summary of the 2010 Water Quality Report

This report is a summary of the 17th sampling season of the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association's Water Quality Monitoring Program. This year SVCA monitored the same 9 sites as last year. The sites sampled were:

DY001-E (Dyer River, Sheepscot)
S007-E (Sheepscot River, Head Tide)
CHABK001-F (Chamberlain Brook, Kings Mills)
S013-F (Sheepscot River, Whitefield)
CHBK001-F (Choate Brook, Windsor)
MEBK001-F (Meadow Brook, China)
WB001-F (West Branch, Whitefield)
WB002-F (West Branch, Windsor)
WB005-F (West Branch, China)

Water samples were tested for bacteria and dissolved oxygen. Water temperature at all sites and salinity at one estuarine site were measured. The data continues to be used by the MDEP for water quality assessment.

In addition to the standard testing, SVCA received funding from the DEP's 319 grant program to do an in depth survey of the Dyer River. The survey was intended to document current conditions in the watershed of this major tributary of the Sheepscot, from the confluence with the Sheepscot north through the head of tide to the base of Dyer Long Pond. The SVCA worked in partnership with the Sheepscot River Watershed Council and their coordinator, Charlie Baeder, was the primary field person for the project. The survey team recorded conditions that describe the stream and its environs, such as the presence of obstructions to fish passage such as ledges or culverts, the type of substrate and flow conditions, among many other items. In addition, bacteria and dissolved oxygen were recorded. Bacteria samples were taken along the entire 9-mile length of stream during dry and wet conditions to assess the water quality through the length of the stream under identical conditions. While the survey is not yet complete, the survey did turn up several nonpoint sources of pollution as well as several point sources. Next steps are to complete the report, present it to the towns involved and approach the landowners to provide help to remediate the pollution issues identified.

Download the full 2010 report (Adobe reader required)

2009 Report

Download the full 2009 report