By JONATHAN HIGGINS
May 1998: The Powow River is at the heart of an approximately 57-square mile watershed. Amesbury is at the base of this watershed. Historically, the Powow River and Falls within the Amesbury Millyard were utilized by industries from the 1600's through the early 1900's for the manufacturing of bricks, production of lime from clam shells collected from the river, lumber mills, ship building, cut nails, textiles, iron works, and carriages. Early records of life on the Powow indicate that alewives (a herring) were harvested in large quantities from the river. Amesbury's forefathers actually had quotas for the collection of fish by Amesbury's early settlers. Records indicate that in 1636 John Bailey built weirs to trap the alewives. To our knowledge, there are no current runs of alewives in the Powow.
A Living Resource
The Powow River stretches for a little over a mile and a half from downtown Amesbury to the Merrimack River. The river’s tidal nature makes it highly unique in the region. The lower portion of the Powow is a tidal freshwater estuary, which exhibits more freshwater than saltwater characteristics, yet is clearly brackish in the summer months. The upper Powow, above Lake Gardner, supports a trout fishery as well as extensive wetland habitat. Currently, the Powow is the source of Amesbury's drinking water and a recreational resource. Dams on the Powow have created Tuxbury Pond and Lake Gardner, both recreational areas. The town is also currently working to have a Riverwalk constructed along the Powow, possibly extending to Camp Kent, a former girl scout camp which will be utilized as an environmental education center.
Water Quality
Efforts to restore water quality of the Powow would give us a good return on our investment. It makes economic sense to improve the river's water quality to ensure its value as a source of drinking water, and to minimize impacts to our natural resources. Restoring alewife runs would also offer economic benefits to the town, drawing people downtown to observe the fish migrating up the falls of the millyard. The water quality of the Powow also has a direct impact on downstream resources such as shellfish beds on the Merrimack River, which are currently closed to commercial and recreational fishing. It is estimated that shellfish harvesting within the Merrimack could generate over $600,000 per year for our region.
Water pollution is generally separated into two sources, point source and nonpoint source. Most of the “point” sources of pollution to the Powow (sources you can point to, such as discharges from a pipe) have been eliminated or treated prior to discharge. Remaining impacts to water quality are predominantly “nonpoint” sources of pollution, which enter water from a wide geographic area and cross town boundaries. Nonpoint sources include: untreated stormwater runoff from paved surfaces; runoff from lawns and farms; and random and widespread disposal of small quantities of oil and hazardous materials. Interestingly, one of the largest pollution sources to the Powow is waste from animals such as dogs and gulls.
Water Quantity
The Powow is very susceptible to both flooding and low flows, due to development. Peak flows occur following storm events and the melting of snow in the spring. Low flows occur during times of little precipitation (usually in August and September). During a rain event in an undeveloped area, approximately 50 percent of the rain is absorbed into the land and available to recharge ground water. The other 50 percent either evaporates or is taken up by plants. In developed areas, however, most of the rainfall does not recharge ground water, thus contributing to low flows. When an area is developed, the rain accumulates on the ground surface and may more readily flow towards lakes and rivers. This stormwater contributes to peak flows (and also carries nonpoint source pollution). Dams can also have a significant impact on water quantity. Just last year, the Trickling Falls dam in New Hampshire substantially decreased the flow of water in the Powow for a short period
A River for all of us
Fortunately, the Rivers Protection Act is already helping to protect the water quality of the Powow, through enforcement by the Conservation Commission. The EOEA Riverways Program and local groups such as Friends of the Powow and 8T&B are working hard to promote protection of rivers and their watersheds. What can you do? Learn more about the Powow by supporting local efforts to protect it. Enjoy your local river -stop by the 2nd Annual Powow Riverfest on June 6th. Lastly, be aware that every action we take, from cleaning our house to driving to work, contributes to nonpoint source pollution. By carpooling, using natural alternatives to household hazardous wastes, and similar every day actions, you are having a more positive impact on the environment.
