Forgot your password?
Document Actions
Tack Factory Pond Reservoir Tributary, Restore or Ignore?
Tributary that runs through bog to Tack Factory Pond Reservoir.
In Scituate tributaries flow through areas that have been altered by impoundment, cranberry bogs and the old Greenbush railroad. The man-made impoundments are ponds known as Old Oaken Bucket, Tack Factory Pond, Galen Damon Pond and the Reservoir, which is also known as Tack Factory Pond Reservoir.
One of these tributaries is based on an existing stream that naturally flows through Satsuit (also called Satuit) Meadow and cranberry bogs (called "flow through" bogs) off Old Oaken Bucket Road into Tack Factory Pond Reservoir. The existence of this tributary has been verified by the Department of Environmental Protection and therefore protected by Scituate Zoning Bylaw 510.5, an issue being contested in Superior Court. This tributary is impeded by a temporary diversion. Just like an off-line Well, this tributary can be fully reinstated into the water supply some time in the future.
The tributary can be seen on 1831 and 1941 maps on the right. The bog was made from George Moore's Swamp that can be seen on the 1831 map. (To see this area clearly view the new tributary map produced by DEP. Select "Tributary Map" on the navigation bar.) The tributary before the bogs were constructed can also be seen on the cover page of the Assessor's Map at Scituate Town Hall.
The diversion system is temporary. According to Ed Ryan, former Scituate Town Counsel, the town intended to use this water in the future. Special language was added to the Scituate Floodplain and Watershed Protection District Bylaw that clearly states that the diversion is temporary. The Scituate Zoning Bylaw was amended in March 2004 to comply with state law so verification by DEP should be all that is required to recognize and protect this tributary.
It has been repeatedly recommended by FHBWI and NSRWA that the farmer-developers control the quality and flow of water leaving the bog site if the farm use is continued. (a seven-nine unit subdivision is planned that includes buildings fifty feet from the edge of the water)
Newer-safer farm chemicals should be used following EPA-USDA guidelines and best management practices such as a "tail-water recovery pond"could control water quality for this type of "flow through" bog.
A major concern related to the proposed housing project on this site may be the potential release of historical soil contamination (DDE, DDT, etc) into waterways if areas are excavated for development around the farm.
The water superintendent has conducted tests and found the quality of water leaving the bog area suitable for drinking water purposes. The tributary passes under only one road and appears to be primarily spring fed based on comments from previous owners.
Simply put, the water coming from Satsuit Meadow may be much cleaner than water from other tributaries that are infused with contaminants from street runoff, lawn chemicals, pet-livestock waste and other sources. All surface water is treated and cleaned using a charcoal activated filter system at the water plant before delivery to residents.
If water quality is maintained a few sluice boards could be removed to completely restore natural instream flow, increase the capacity of the water supply and improve the aquatic ecosystem. Cooperation of residents is also necessary since the sluice structure and the diversion channel are on private property with no easements for access.
Our recommendation: restore, don't ignore this tremendous water resource area, especially since Scituate needs more water to meet the demands of growth.
Utilizing available water within the watershed and restoring natural instream flow to benefit the aquatic ecosystem are goals set forth in the 2004 DEP Water Management Act Policy and may be conditions when Scituate seeks a new yield permit from the Department of Environmental Protection.
To view the powerpoint presentation (below) from the August 19, 2004 Zoning Board Hearing that denied protection for this tributary click on the arrows on the right side of the movie controller to see one frame at a time.
