42°11.57N, 70°47.42W
Observed: 1 December 2000
Narrative: Peter Kelly-Detwiler

"This segment begins at 42°11.57N, 70°47.42W at the point where First Herring Brook enters Galen Damon Pond and runs roughly east to the intersection with First Parish Road. The stream is generally fast moving, between 3" and 12" deep and 1 to 2 1/2 feet wide. Where it enters the pond there is a marsh. 30 yards upstream it is crisscrossed by a wilderness of fallen trees (42°11.16N, 70°47.80W) primarily hemlocks, but flow is not impeded. Water is color of very dark tea. The entire segment is characterized by pools and riffles with the exception of where it encounters a 12-15' stone berm. The stream simply disappears coming out about 25' below on the west side of the berm. In some places, upstream of the berm there is more gravel and rock and some fine sand which does not appear indigenous. Downstream there are some coarse sandy pockets as well but of apparently natural origin (larger...coarser sand). some trash was seen: tires, several bags, corrugated iron near the road. A straw bale was in the stream at the roadside culvert and the plastic (sediment) swale was submerged. This material was from the (sediment control) safeguards when water pipes went in for Heritage Trail."

Editor: First Herring Brook runs through Damon Pond and is part of Scituate's water supply. This is a good example of how water systems often extend into neighboring communities. Sediment and weeds may be impairing Damon Pond.