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Resource Stewardship:
The goal of the Resource Stewardship Sub-Committee is to comprehensively inventory and assess the Westfield River’s “Outstandingly Remarkable Resources” (ORRs) and implement the Committee’s long-term strategies and actions under the guidance of the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Stewardship Plan. The following are some of the ways the strategies outlined are implemented:
Stream Teams:
Over 65 volunteers surveyed approximately 70 miles of the Westfield River three major branches and headwater tributaries. Using protocols developed by the Riverways Adopt-A-Stream Program, Stream Team volunteers used their observational skills to document scenic, historical, geological, recreational and ecological features along the river. Findings were compiled into Shoreline Survey Reports, Executive Summaries and large format maps which highlighted the problems, assets and priorities for action identified by the volunteers. Stream Team volunteers have begun to assist in implementation of those recommendations and continue to assist in survey and monitoring efforts.
Stream Team volunteers assist with a variety of projects. Please see the Volunteer Opportunities page for descriptions of some of them.
Become a Stream Team Volunteer, contact Meredyth Babcock, Volunteer Coordinator at (413) 623-2070 or volunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org.
Use the following links to download PDF versions of the various documents related to the current stewardship plans for the three branches of the Westfield River (Acrobat Reader™ required):
- East Branch Shoreline Survey
- East Branch Executive Summary
- Middle Branch Shoreline Survey
- Middle Branch Executive Summary
- West Branch Shoreline Survey
- West Branch Executive Summary
Water Quality Monitoring:
In 2008, the Westfield River Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program was launched to identify sources of impairment in water quality conditions including physical, chemical and biological parameters. Samples are collected by volunteers and analyzed from 20 sites monthly from April to October. Data collected includes general observations, air and water temperature, pH, alkalinity, and total suspended solids. Bacterial counts (e.g., E. coli and Enterococcus) are also determined at three sites during six dry-weather events in May to October.
Eight of the baseline sampling locations are along the Wild & Scenic reaches. These include:
- Four sites on the East Branch of the river: two near Windsor State Park beach, one at Gardner State Park beach, and one at the USGS Knightville Dam gage station.
- Middle Branch site at the USGS Goss Heights gage station, below the Littleville Dam
- West Branch site at the USGS gage station in Huntington.
- Main Branch at the rest area opposite the Huntington Health Center.
Water Quality monitoring results are posted at http://envcenter.wsc.ma.edu/water-quality-monitoring.
The project is conducted in collaboration with Westfield River Environmental Center, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Westfield River Watershed Association and the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee. Partial funding was provided by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee, with additional funds from a MassDEP 604(b) grant and from the US EPA Equipment Loan Program.
East Branch Trail:
The East Branch of the Westfield River is noted for its remarkable features, including Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway, Windsor Jambs, Chesterfield Gorge and many historical and cultural features along the river corridor. The East Branch Trail project seeks to create a regional trail network along the East Branch of the Westfield River that connects unique natural, geological, cultural and historical features to the communities of Huntington, Chesterfield, Cummington, Windsor and Savoy. The trail network serves as a recreational asset and educational resource that promotes community stewardship of the Wild & Scenic resources. The existing nine-mile trail segment extends along the East Branch from Chesterfield Gorge down to the Knightville Dam Recreation Area. Additional trail segments are being considered.
Committee successes:
- Inventoried existing public trails in upper part of watershed
- Published 3 copies of the East Branch Connection – a trail newsletter
- Held trail celebrations and workdays
- Secured grants from New England Grassroots Environmental Fund and Fields Pond Foundation to make trail improvements and to promote the trail
- Replaced two wooden decked bridges and made other trail improvements with assistance from the Chesterfield Highway Department, Chesterfield 4 Seasons Club, Student Conservation Association (SCA) Massachusetts Americorps Program, and The Trustees of Reservations
Committee goals:
- Work with Chesterfield Highway Department to make additional drainage improvements along existing trail
- Encourage connections between existing trails in the East Branch corridor
- Recruit trail crew to conduct on-going trail maintenance
- Coordinate efforts with other land, conservation and recreational management agencies and organizations
For more information on the trail project contact the Resource Stewardship Sub-Committee, stewardship@westfieldriverwildscenic.org or (413) 268-3129, ext 2.