Thanks to our past President, Kevin Correa, the Chapter's restoration project in Boxford has been highlighted in this issue of "Trout"! Check it out! Kevin, a professional writer, submitted this article sometime ago to the editors of the TU magazine. Great job Kevin and much deserved recognition to the hard work of the members of this Chapter. You all earned it. Congratulations.
Before Photo John LeJeune
Original article with permission from Kevin:Nor'East Chapter Completes Culvert Replacement
Four years after emerging from a long dormancy, the Nor'East Chapter completed a
culvert replacement resulting in greater stream connectivity. The worksite was at
Crooked Pond Brook in the Town of Boxford, Mass., located 25-miles north of Boston.
The goal of the project was to improve passage for native brook trout and other wildlife.
The former perched culverts made it impossible for fish, invertebrates, amphibians and
small animals to move upstream during normal to lower stream flow conditions. The
replacement culvert provides a more natural transition for wildlife to access ecologically
pristine upstream reaches.
The replacement, which was partially funded by an Embrace-A-Stream grant, arose from
an Eagle Scout project. In 2010, Eagle Scout candidate Eric Murrer conducted an
investigative study of the surrounding watershed. His work—which was supervised by
Jim MacDougall, a chapter member and professional wetland scientist—yielded a habitat
score of 85% and a thriving macroinvertebrate population of early stoneflies, mayflies
and caddis in Crooked Pond Brook. After reviewing the study, the chapter voted to work
toward rectifying the inadequate culvert.
The work at the site was a partnership of many local organizations, including the Town of
Boxford, Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control, the Boxford Trails
Association/Boxford Open Land Trust, and the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
The culvert replacement was the first project of this magnitude for the Nor'East Chapter.
While it resulted in tangible improvements to the habitat, the chapter realized benefits as
well. A true learning process, the chapter was able to identify and tap internal resources
without whose expertise the costs of the project would have been prohibitive.
565 volunteer hours went into the replacement, and the work of a handful of chapter
members warrants special recognition: Overall oversight of the project fell into the
capable hands of Greg Murrer; Jim MacDougall conducted wetlands services at the site;
Mike O'Neill provided all engineering work; and Chett Walsh provided general project
and construction management.
The chapter is proud of the replacement culvert, and it's ready to capitalize on the
accomplishment and move forward to the next big project.
Photo After Kevin Correa
