Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project
Friends of Bass River - Revised Scope of Work
Project Narrative - Project Purpose:
Threat to Southeast New England’s coastal and watershed ecosystems that this proposal seeks to solve, and the geographic area of impact: This proposal seeks to address four critical threats to Southeast New England’s coastal and watershed ecosystems: water quality impairments, restricted habitat from fish passage barriers, berms disconnecting floodplains, and restricted stream and tidal flows from undersized stream crossings. Bass River is one of the largest estuaries on Cape Cod and is an important waterway for recreation, fish, aquatic organisms, and community resiliency to storms and storm surges. The Bass River estuarine system is approximately seven (7) river miles long, winding through the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis from Nantucket Sound into Mill Pond. The area west of Mill Pond is called Hamblin’s Brook. It extends from the levee in Mill Pond west to the first fish ladder at Miss Thacher’s Pond.
This project is focused on the Upper Bass River System extending from Miss Thatcher’s Pond—which is the true-spring-fed headwaters, downstream to Follin’s Pond, passing through two impaired culverts—North Dennis Road/Crab Creek Culvert and Weir Road Culvert—and through 57 of acres of abandoned cranberry bogs. Both culverts and study areas are fully within the Town of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, and owned by the town.
North Dennis Road/Crab Creek Culvert (“Crab Creek Culvert”) Threats: The Crab Creek Culvert at North Dennis Road crosses Bass River in a north-south alignment. Mill Pond to the west of the Crab Creek Culvert experiences significantly reduced tidal exchange due to its undersized culvert. This results in high levels of nitrogen and dissolved oxygen among other challenges. The 6’x6’ structure was deemed appropriate by an engineering study in 2010, replacing the original 1700’s structure “in-kind". This report pointed to an existing pinch point 1.7 miles south on Bass River as the source of the problem (former railroad bridge built 1857). Recent changes to hydrodynamic conditions, however, suggest this is incorrect.
In 2018, the railroad bridge was replaced with a wider span (85 feet at high tide – 65 feet at low tide), which has restored the tidal flow to this area. This increase in water volume has now created a restricted, high-velocity flow through the culvert in both directions depending upon the tide cycle. Erosion has caused failure of an adjacent recreational trail structure, boardwalk overlook, and the bottom of an access stairwell. Inspection data is not available for the culvert. However, scour is likely at the culvert inlet, outlet, and wingwalls due to the high velocity flows that have been observed.
This undersized culvert causes degradation in the vicinity of the culvert due to scour from the tidal waters rushing through the culvert. Mill Pond water quality has been impaired as a result of being cut off from tidal exchange for over 150 years and receiving nutrient inputs from cranberry farming and increased residential development throughout the watershed.
Reduced flow through the undersized culvert results in a buildup of nitrogen in the system. This increased nitrogen loading in turn causes algal blooms. The algal blooms deplete the oxygen within the river and pond system, harming other aquatic species, causing unpleasant odors, and reducing recreational value of the water body.
Upstream from Mill Pond is the Weir Road Culvert.
Weir Road Culvert Threats: The Weir Road Culvert and surrounding former cranberry bogs present multiple threats to the local and regional ecosystem. The century-old Weir Road Culvert has collapsed, and very little water is passing through. This results in reduced fish passage as well as reduced channel and floodplain connectivity. Upstream and downstream of Weir Road is approximately 57 acres of former cranberry bog that were last farmed more than 40 years ago. As with other cranberry bogs in the region, ditches, berms, and flow control structures were used to control water during farming. This farm infrastructure remains visible today with the ditches continuing to drain the wetland and the berms and flow control structures continuing to block fish passage and block the connectivity between the stream channel and the wetlands.
Overall, the Bass River system exceeds its critical threshold for nitrogen (Total Maximum Daily Load) resulting in impaired water and habitat quality. Within Mill Pond, the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) study observed total nitrogen concentrations of between 0.96 and 0.94 mg/L. The MEP has determined that by achieving a total N concentration of 0.42 mg/L in the mid reach of Bass River, water and habitat quality will be restored in these systems. The upper reaches of the system are more sensitive to nitrogen additions than the lower reaches due to dampened tidal signal in the upper reaches and are significantly impaired. The Mass Division of Marine Fisheries has classified the area “Prohibited.” As a result of these environmental impacts, commercial and recreational uses of the Bass River System are greatly reduced.
How the Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project will contribute to solving the identified threats: The Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project will conduct data gathering and modeling, and develop engineering plans to document and demonstrate the necessary steps to achieve improved water quality through removal of barriers, increased water exchange, and the reintroduction of 57 acres of wetlands (abandoned cranberry bogs) to the riparian ecosystem.
Through the procurement of contractors, we will accomplish the following through this project:
North Dennis Road/Crab Creek Culvert: We will contribute to solving the identified Crab Creek Culvert problems by implementing a data collection regime, implementing a variable density numerical model, and a suite of hydraulic modeling to document and show how to best optimize the opening between lower Bass River estuary and Mill Pond. To address the potential for inundation flooding, we will document simulating a low frequency (100-year) storm event to determine potential flooding.
We will conduct measurement and assessment of water quality, which will serve as the baseline to confirm current conditions in Bass River. We will also be comparing this new data to the 2010 study of this same location. Testing will occur in the headwaters area as well as five other monitoring locations south along the river in order to make direct comparisons to the 2010 study conducted by Woods Hole Group, as well as an earlier study completed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in 2002.
In addition to the water quality monitoring, we will complete a series of hydraulic models to better understand the groundwater and surface water dynamics, as well as the flow conditions acting on the North Dennis Road/Crab Creek Culvert. For the upper reaches of the Bass River System, we will use the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC). We will document simulations with a wide variety of flow input parameters including both groundwater and surface water sources, tidal forcing, and an array of flow control structures.
We will use the bathymetric data to inform development of a two-dimensional curvilinear model grid. After confirming the model conforms to the measurements, we will conduct a separate seven (7) day model validation simulation.
We will use the calibrated and validated EFDC model to conduct a suite of simulations for varying opening sizes under the North Dennis Road. We will use three related criteria for determining the optimum opening size: 1) tidal prism, 2) residence time, in Mill Pond, and (3) criteria based on the potential increases in salinity in the upper reaches of the system (this criteria is directly related to additional shellfish habitat).
We will then conduct a study to evaluate the viability of two options for the Crab Creek Culvert improvements along with conceptual design-level opinions of probable construction costs (OPCC).
Option 1: Full replacement with a bridge to cross the river in a single span
Option 2: Constructing supplemental precast culverts to increase hydraulic capacity.
We will conduct a field review of the site to document existing conditions. Data will be obtained to evaluate existing conditions and potential modifications for improvements. The field review will focus on visually accessible portions of the culvert only. Wetland scientists will identify wetland resource areas within an approximately 100-foot radius of the culvert crossing in accordance with local, state and federal criteria.
We will retain a professional land surveyor to collect existing condition information, visible surface and overhead utilities, topographic information, and approximate right-of-way and property lines using MassGIS for 100 feet in all directions around the existing culvert.
We will prepare a hydraulic design report summarizing the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed as part of the of the proposed culvert replacement. A draft report will be provided to the Town. Conceptual drawings will be prepared for each alternative, which will include a general plan, elevation, and typical section. The proposed crossing dimensions described in the concept drawings will incorporate recommendations provided through the
Weir Road Culvert: We will contribute to solving the identified Weir Road Culvert problems by evaluating a series of wetlands and abandoned cranberry bogs in the headwaters of the Bass River watershed. We will produce designs based on data gathered to restore the stream and transition the abandoned cranberry bogs back to wetlands.
A geomorphologist and hydraulic engineer will complete a site reconnaissance assessment of the study area. They will investigate and evaluate channel bed and bank substrate, channel morphology, flood indicators, habitat features, impacts of large wood in the system, historical cranberry farming infrastructure and modifications to the landscape, and vegetation types and trends.
We will complete an initial topographic survey to collect data on the channel profile, critical controlling features within the channel, dams/berms and culvert elevations, and critical channel elevations in and around the bogs. We will then collect a total of six (6) sediment samples in the bogs. These samples will be analyzed for the typical suite of contaminants: PCBs, VOCs, SVOCs/PAHs, heavy metals, and organochlorine pesticides and herbicides.
We will have four (4) conceptual renderings: two (2) plane view and two (2) oblique views developed. These renderings will help disseminate design information to the public and project partners.
We will complete a Feasibility Report that summarizes and explains the field data collection efforts. This report will also describe the preferred concept designs, the intent of channel and habitat features, as well as an engineer's opinion of probable cost for construction at the conceptual level.
Geomorphologists and engineers will complete a topographic survey, collecting data for modeling and designs. They will conduct an additional 12 sediment samples to supplement the initial sampling. This will be based on coordination with MassDEP and their recommendations.
We will use the flow data gathered and regional regressions to develop discharge values for the 2, 10, 20, 50, and 100 year flood recurrence intervals and fish passage flows for March, April, May, and June.
We will develop preliminary designs to the approximately 60% level for the project site, incorporating the collected data, goals and objectives.
Water Testing Program: Utilizing volunteers, Friends of Bass River (FoBR) will conduct weekly water testing in the project area, plus at four 2002 MEP testing locations. We will also continue our ongoing annual water testing with student volunteers who are part of the Dartmouth-Yarmouth Regional High School classroom curriculum. Our water testing program has developed a partnership with the Center for Coastal Studies to analyze our water samples, in-kind. Their mission is to understand and protect our coastal environment and marine ecosystems (https://coastalstudies.org/). We will be developing a database through the Stonehill College intern program.
Immediate impact of the project:
The immediate impact of the project will be:
1. The completion of environmental data on the existing area;
2. Documentation of the current threats;
3. Identified ways to reduce the Total Maximum Daily Load’s on Bass River by increasing the flow, creating a nutrient sink in the area of Hamblin’s brook—an alternative wastewater management system; and
4. The creation of preliminary design and engineering plans and cost analysis for implementing the identified solution options.
A final result of the Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project is a detailed plan for restoration. Following the completion of the SNEP2020 grant we will move to implementation of the restoration efforts laid out in the restoration plan.
The Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project is a vital step in achieving long-term environmental improvements and contributes to improving the practice and knowledge of Southern New England’s coastal ecosystem restoration and management.
Long-term vision:
Upon completion of the Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project through the SNEP2020 grant program, we intend to move into fundraising to implement the recommended restoration plan.
We consider the implementation of the improvements described in this application as the beginning of restoration and monitoring throughout the Bass River Watershed. This effort will reduce many barriers within the river, but we recognize many other factors influence the water quality and ecological condition of this important waterway. Following implementation of these analyses and designs described here, and following implementation of the construction elements, we plan to continue monitoring water quality throughout the study area, we will work with regional resource agencies to monitor fish passage, and we will continue to advocate for improved stormwater and wastewater practices, development plans, and protection of lands in the towns included within the Bass River Watershed. As the largest river on Cape Cod, we want to become a leader in holistic watershed improvements that neighboring towns can learn from to improve conditions throughout Cape Cod
In the long-term, after implementation of the restoration plan, we foresee the following results coming into fruition:
1. Increased tidal exchange through the N. Dennis Road crossing;
2. Gain in the ability to allow potential storm surges to propagate into Mill Pond more freely;
3. Improved community and infrastructure resiliency, water quality, and ecological resources;
4. Improved tidal flushing;
5. Improved habitat, shell fishing and fin fishing;
6. Improved access for recreational users;
7. The return of eelgrass;
8. Improved tidal flow;
9. Reduction of scouring,
10. Improvements to the active/passive types of recreational use of the watershed system;
11. Improved community and infrastructure resiliency;
12. Improved water quality;
13. Improved ecological resources;
14. A return of the herring by restoring their habitat via access to the existing fish ladder (historically, the 2nd highest herring harvest in the state of Massachusetts);
15. Restoration of the identified abandoned cranberry bogs—returning them to their original state as wetlands; and
16. The removal of culverts on the abandoned cranberry bogs, which will restore hydrologic connectivity and fish passage.
Finally, one of these two options will be executed upon the current Crab Creek Culvert:
Option 1: Full replacement with a bridge to cross the river in a single span
Option 2: Constructing supplemental precast culverts to increase hydraulic capacity.
As a final step to addressing the collapsed Weir Road Culvert, we are excited to see that Crab Creek’s existing 6’x 6’ concrete culvert is nearly a perfect fit to reuse and replace the Weir Road Culvert.
The Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project will advance SNEP goals throughout the region. Goal 1: This project addresses water quality restoration and documents the physical processes necessary to support ecosystem function and watershed resilience by laying out the steps to improving stream/tidal flow, habitat/wetland restoration, and ecosystem and water quality improvements to the Upper Bass River Watershed. By improving conditions in the upper portions of the watershed, the entire Bass River watershed will benefit, including the extensive estuary extending to Nantucket Sound. This may result in improved fish and shellfish populations, fishing and shell fishing opportunities, salt marsh development, and estuarine habitat for organisms at various life stages.
Goal 2: This project bolsters sustainable communities by documenting how we can better protect and enhance ecosystem services that support our local Cape Cod economy. Specifically, improvements to water quality will result in improved recreational values including fishing and boating, shell fishing, hiking and other types of passive recreation. If these improvements are able to be implemented along the largest river within Cape Cod, this could be a great example for other communities across the region to work on improvements within some of the small watersheds that hold critical aquatic and estuarine ecosystems.
Goal 3: The Upper Bass River Watershed Restoration Project will assess, track, and communicate changes in the condition and the effectiveness of actions and health of the Upper Bass Watershed by Friends of Bass River before, during, and after the SNEP grant period. We will share and leverage our monitoring with the community, with other regional communities, and with other SNEP monitoring projects that might find the information useful.
Goal 5: By building on existing geographic programs, such as the recent SNEP grant to the Cape Cod Commission, we will advance solutions to regional environmental issues—for example, a regional quality database. We envision our project serving as a replicable solution to similar threats faced by other impacted Cape and off-Cape communities within the SNEP region. The solution developed through this project will directly benefit the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis in meeting their nitrogen reduction targets.
Regional outcomes of the project include a solution to the challenge faced by the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis in meeting their nitrogen reduction targets. Friends of Bass River will be able to provide real time nitrogen levels on main water bodies, taken from the head of the river.
The towns of Yarmouth and Dennis will receive copies of all reports, which will support institutional planning, funding, and implementation of restoration efforts.
PROJECT WORKPLAN:
QAPP: We expect the need to conduct a QAPP for survey data collection, sediment sampling, and potentially hydraulic modeling. We will procure a contractor to complete a QAPP. We base the cost of conducting a QAPP for this project one initial bid.
Water Testing: Will be conducted weekly by FoBR volunteers.
North Dennis Road/Crab Creek Culvert: Work will be completed by a contractor hired through the procurement process.
Date
Milestone
September 2020
Site Review by Contractor A/Begin Field Data Collection by Contractor B
September 15, 2020
Wetland Delineation by Contractor A/Instrument Deployment by Contractor B
September 21 – October 30, 2020
Site Survey & Geotechnical Services by Contractor A
October 5 – October 30, 2020
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis by Contractor A
October 20, 2020
Instrument Recovery by Contractor B
October 26 – December 11, 2020
Alternatives Analysis for Culvert Replacement by Contractor A
October 26, 2020
Modeling by Contractor B
December 31, 2020
Draft Report
January 2021
Feedback
February 2021
Final Report
Weir Road Culvert: Work will be completed by a contractor hired through the procurement process.
Date
Milestone
September 1 - October 31
Field Work: Data Collection by Contractor C
September 7 – November 13, 2020
Geotechnical Services by Contractor A
October 26 – December 11, 2020
Alternatives Analysis for Culvert Replacement by Contractor A
November 1 – December 31, 2020
Feasibility Study: Analyses & Modeling by Contractor C
January 1 - May 31, 2021
Concept and Preliminary Design by Contractor C
February 1 – March 15, 2021
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis by Contractor C
September 1 – December 31, 2021
Final Designs by Contractor C
Partners and Management Team: Capacity to Manage Contracting and Oversee Engineering
Friends of Bass River (FoBR) will manage the project by coordinating the Management Team and conduct the Water Testing Program.
FoBR’s mission, through monitoring, vigilance and direct management, is to help preserve and protect Bass River’s delicate ecosystem. FoBR was founded three years ago by a group of faithful private citizens dedicated to the guardianship of the ponds, coves and sub-basins of the Bass River Estuarine System. FoBR was founded to take action to protect and safeguard the Bass River Estuarine System and coastal life as we now know it.
Through public education, raising awareness and increasing involvement we are taking critical steps to protect Bass River. With proper management, current nitrogen trends can be reversed. We see it as our duty to protect and preserve the invaluable Bass River Estuarine System. A significant portion of our qualifications and experience as an organization comes from our founders and Board of directors:
Mark Anschutz, Founding Member “- Learning to swim at Windmill Beach in the mid 1950’s was my first encounter with the river. The water was clear. Holding my breath and opening my eyes in the salty water, I saw all manner of abundant bottom grass, sheltering a seemingly infinite array of sea life.” Some 60 years later, Mark still visits the shores of the river almost daily. Witnessing the many changes to the river reminds him that he is a trustee of this special treasure. Mark has committed himself to preserving the river for generations to come.
Dewitt Davenport, Founding Member - "Often times I wonder why my goal is to be on Bass River every day from early spring to late fall. Is it the tranquility, the gentle sounds, the magnificent wildlife habitat? Maybe it's the familiar faces, a wave from a neighbor, or just the quiet solitude. It doesn't matter if there is a spectacular sunrise or the last pink light from a fading sunset; one's soul is at peace on the river. I know I am safe on the river. The feeling is like no other."
Bob Churchill, Founding Member - “To me, the river is a source of living, loving and energy that is second to none.” A fourth generation, self-professed “River Rat,” Bob heeds the call of the river nearly every day to energize his soul. As a young child, Bob never forgot his father’s words as he sailed his beetle Cat solo for the first time: “Don’t try to control the boat, guide it.” As a steward of Bass River, Bob is dedicated to guiding the health and well-being of this priceless resource.
Erinn Mccarty, Founding Member - The newest member of the FoBR board, she grew up on the North River in Marshfield Hills, and her family has spent summers on the north side of Dennis since the 1940s. Locals and long-time residents may know them by their 1967 Mackenzie Bass Boat that they kept by the High Bank Bridge on Bass River for 30 years.
She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Marine Geology, and as an undergraduate she studied oceanography and nautical science at the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole. Immediately after college she made the decision to go out to sea full-time, working as a Marine Lab Specialist onboard the drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution. Serving as the onboard curator for 10 years, she was in charge of deep sea hard-rock and sediment core preservation and sampling.
Rick Bishop, Executive Director - “As a lifelong resident of Yarmouth and Bass River, I learned to swim at Windmill Beach and continue to find the river central to each of my days. The beauty and fragility of our beloved Bass River has been with me from very early in my life. That passion has brought me to service as a member of the Town of Yarmouth Conservation Commission, acting as the Commission Chairman for the last 3+ years. I was also an original member of the Land Bank/Open Space committee.”
“As committed as I am about our environment, I am equally passionate about sailboat racing. I was the Operations Manager for the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race (around the world) and recently completed the DN Iceboat North American Championship. Given my experience, clean and healthy water, in “soft or hard form,” is something I think about every day—particularly the water that is adjacent to my home at the head of the Bass River.”
Rick’s position is paid and full-time. He will serve as project manager and lives within a two-minute walk to the project site. He provides tours of the Bass River Estuarine System to stakeholders at least once a month.
The FOBR board intends to pursue our own 501(c)(3) in the near future.
Town of Yarmouth: The Town of Yarmouth will serve as key members on our Management Team. The Yarmouth Town Engineer, Director of Public Works, Director of Natural Resources, and Conservation Administrator will all serve on the Management Team for this project. Please see attached letters outlining commitments from the Department of Public Works and Town Administrator. The four Town representatives will attend and participate in bi-weekly (twice a month) Management Team meetings, monthly partner meetings, communicate with the public, and attend and participate in public informational meetings based on the below plan. Town representatives will provide their expertise and experience in managing similar projects to this project to help ensure success. Staff time dedicated to preparation, travel, and participation in this project will be contributed towards the matching requirement, as reflected in the budget.
The project culverts and property, including abandoned cranberry bogs are owned by the Town of Yarmouth.
Massachusetts Division of Ecological Resources (DER):
On June 18, 2020, FoBR submitted an application for Priority Project status to DER in response to their RFP for Restoration and Revitalization Priority Projects for Abandoned Cranberry Bogs. Specifically, when asked what we saw DER's role in the project, we included: providing technical assistance, lending their experience to guide the project, and sharing their experience with other similar projects. If we are awarded Priority Project Status, technical support from DER is a major component of the award.
On August 3, 2020, Alex Hackman, Restoration Ecologist and Cranberry Bog Program Manager, and the rest of the selection committee from Mass DER came for a tour of our project area. We are optimistic that this bodes well for our Priority Project status application. We are exploring potential for support through DER’s Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program. The Town must be the applicant here and we will work with the Town to apply for the next round in 2021. This timeline dovetails nicely with the timeline for this project.
Cape Cod Commission:
Rick has communicated with Timothy Pasakarnis of the Cape Cod Commission regarding coordinating our/FoBR’s water testing data with their water quality database. Please see attached email. In short, Pasakarinis looks forward to collaborating in the future.
Outreach & Communications Plan:
We will release an initial announcement of funding to the press, send an email to the Friends of Bass River (FoBR) email list, and post the announcement on the FoBR and Town of Yarmouth websites and social media.
As the project gets underway, we will hold quarterly public information meetings, monthly press releases targeting stakeholders and emails communicating progress, and we will utilize social media as often as once a week.
We will be holding virtual and on-site tours of the project location, as well as creating informational video presentations before, during, and after. We will also be holding monthly partner meetings, which we will leverage to invite additional professional resource managers elsewhere in the SNEP region.
Budget Narrative in regard to Match:
Total Staff and In-kind Secured Match stands at $78,442 of the match requirement of $83,747.07. The remaining match requirement to be raised is $5,305.07, which we intend to raise through grants. Additionally, we may need to raise another $9,915.93 based on current contractual bids, which we would raise through grants funds.
We expect to hear from DER on whether our application has been awarded between August 18 and September 18, 2020. If we receive Priority Status, in additional to technical assistance and support, we may receive between $10,000 and $70,000 in state grant funds towards the abandoned cranberry bogs portion of this (SNEP 2020) proposal.
We will be seeking additional funds from the following sources:
Yarmouth Community Preservation Committee
Bafflin Foundation
Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod
Cricket Foundation
MASS DER Cranberry Bogs Restoration Program
Cape Cod 5
TD Charitable Foundation
Bilezikian Foundation
The Ausolus Trust
Sheehan Foundation
Fields Pond Foundation
Kelley Foundation
Pennyghael Foundation
Weny Foundation
Lingos Family Foundation
Hermann Foundation