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Scantic River Stream Walk – October 14th, 2006 The Scantic River Watershed Association is seeking volunteers for the 4th annual bioassessment and river Monitoring Testing of the Scantic River sponsored by the Enfield Conservation Commission and the Scantic River Watershed Association. The event will take place on October 14. Volunteers will meet at 9:00am at the Powder Mill Red Barn located near the bridge at South Maple Street, in Enfield, CT. After the training, the group will be assigned to teams that will cover different locations on the river in Enfield, Somers and East Windsor. Volunteers will then wade into the river to collect the samples of aquatic macro invertebrates which will be sorted and recorded. The information gathered will then become part of the DEP report on the water quality of the rivers in the state. Volunteers will also doing some testing of the river water and be included in the World Water Monitoring Day program hosted by The Water Environment Federation (WEF). The volunteers will be testing for four key indicators of water quality: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. World Water Monitoring Day offers communities around the world a chance to positively impact the health of rivers, lakes, estuaries, and other waterbodies. This is a volunteer opportunity for citizens and students of the area to monitor the Scantic River Watershed. Come be apart of an exciting 4th annual study of the water quality of the Scantic River. Volunteers are needed to examine aquatic macro invertebrates that live on the bottom of the river and under rocks and to take other tests to monitor the river. The presence or absence of certain aquatic macro invertebrates can give an accurate reading on the health of the river. Past years study showed that the Scantic river to be in good – clean condition. For further for additional information – please contact – Michael Dynia – 860 – 745-9986, or email at – mdynia@yahoo.com. |
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Scantic River Stream Walk – July 2005 Participants – Mike Dynia, Bill Cote, Joe Pearce, Jeff Dynia The Stream Walk program was conducted with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. A stream walk is an effective way to collect information on the existing physical conditions of the river. The data gathered can be used to identify impairments, resource needs and to plan future conservation needs. The stream survey brings local people into direct contact with the river and enables them to better understand the river system and the relationship between their community and the river The team attempted to begin the section about one mile upstream from where Laughing Brook enters the Scantic River. The team was beaten back by the very thick grass and swampy conditions and had to find another entry way. The team decided to follow Laughing Brook down to the river and start from there. The team decided to head up stream from there. The river in that area was around 15 to 20 feet wide but very deep, 5 feet in some areas. There were many dead falls across the river and the river moved very slowly in this area, The crew decided to head back down stream below were Laughing brook entered the river. The team then proceeded downstream to the finish of their section at the Grist Mill Dam. This was about a 2.5 mile section of river. Below Laughing Brook the river was a little faster and not as deep. There were small riffles and runs in this area. The river water seemed quite clear. As the team approached the dam maybe ½ mile before the dam, the river started to slow down and became slightly deeper in this section – up to four feet. This area also had more development on the side closet to the road. There were a few houses along the river in this area, with the lawns going right down to the river bank. In this area there also were a few boat & canoes spotted docked along the way. There is limited canoeing in this area up to the dam. Talking to a few of the locals we also found out that this is a good area for fishing. We did spot a couple of storm drains that dumped rainwater into the river. One was directly under the bridge before the dam. As we approached the dam the river slowed considerably and has started to fill in with some weeds and grasses. One of the locals complained that this area has continued to fill in and that you can no longer canoe up to the dam. The section ended at the historic Jonathans Grist Mill Dam built by Jonathan Flynt in 1797 and was one of Hampden’s earliest industries. The river for the most part seemed in good shape, the water was clear in all sections and is used for fishing and recreation.
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