November, 2019

River Center Commemorative Book on-line

Our River Center project began several years ago with a simple vision by some forward-looking members. Now, we have moved into our new headquarters and look forward to the many great opportunities it will provide. You can read our River Center commemorative booklet on line. It outlines the history and chronology of this ambitious and fulfilling project. Click here.

Youtube Video Introduction to Our New Learning Center

The new River Center is not only providing WRWA staff with a comfortable and efficient work environment, it also enables us to provide information and activities that support our mission.  Check out this 5-minute video , as Shelli and our Commonwealth Corps Educators demonstrate some of the educational tools at the new River Center. Photo at left is of our Sea Robin. Other species in our tanks include Puffer Fish, Horseshoe Crabs, Sea Bass Mummichogs, perch and minnows. The aquariums will be stocked with native aquatic creatures.

Annual Fund Appeal

Dear Friends, Greetings from the new headquarters of the Watershed Alliance—the River Center . Again, I wish to express our gratitude to all of our supporters who helped us reach this important moment in our organization's growth. If we hadn’t had the vision of the Board, the financial support of our members, and the determination of the ‘facilities” committee, this incredible resource would not have been possible. We are only starting to implement new ideas on how this new space can support expansion of the services and scope of WRWA, how we can set our roots in this vibrant community, and how much more welcoming we can be to the public and casual visitor. This is truly a “watershed” moment for the Alliance. We are conducting our Annual Fund Drive. We ask you, and all of our members, to give to the fullest of your abilities so that we can continue to do the work that we have been doing for more than 44 years: championing the health of the Westport Rivers and the vast watershed that surrounds them. This pristine natural resource is the single most important asset to the financial vitality and beauty of this magnificent estuary. Whether you are a day visitor or a home owner on the river, you know the pleasures of boating, swimming, walking and observing nature, and can appreciate the fragility of the environment. For all these years the Alliance has been the “voice of the river”- monitoring and leading restoration efforts, working with children to encourage their love of the natural world, working with town leaders to advocate for informed scientific decisions and reasoned actions to protect the watershed. We ask and encourage you to support us so we can continue and expand our work to maintain the richness of our watershed, which gives us so much peace and pleasure. Thank you for your support and generosity as we join together in our alliance.

Make a contribution!  Thank you.

Town Gets First Look At Options for Integrated Water Resource Management Roberta Carvalho, Science Director

The Town of Westport recently received the first portion of a Targeted Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the East Branch of Westport River estuary. The Kleinfelder, Pare Corporation prepared this report/action plan for the Town. The presentation of the results of that work can be viewed on the Town’s vimeo website here: https://vimeo.com/374197660 The Plan will guide the Town’s selection and implementation of actions to cost-effectively address the impaired water quality and habitat conditions of the Westport River with the long-term goal of achieving the nitrogen loading reductions necessary to meet the TMDL’s* target threshold and additionally the water quality standards for pathogens.      The Plan quantifies the extent of the current problems and future needs in the targeted areas, identifies and evaluates alternative technologies and management practices for meeting those needs, prioritizes the most environmentally appropriate and cost-effective remedies. WRWA will be assisting the Town in the discussions that follow the release of the final report. *Total Maximum Daily Load of nutrients that the River can handle

How often should I pump out my septic tank? Roberta Carvalho, WRWA Science Director

Why is WRWA constantly telling you about septic systems? Primarily because they affect the environment. Although a septic system is well suited to sanitarily break down human waste, it can also be a major source of pollution, especially if it’s broken.  A preventable problem is that people put a lot more than human waste into their systems. Think of what goes down the drain. Even simple food items such as too much grease, cooking oil or fat may greatly reduce the efficiency of the system. Household cleaners, paints and other chemicals can be toxic to bacteria, and bacteria make the system operate properly. Too much of these chemicals may cause a severe disruption in the system. Septic systems should be regularly inspected and maintained to function properly and prevent contamination of nearby wells, groundwater, and streams.  Regular maintenance is the single most important consideration in making sure your septic system works well over time. You might have heard people say that if they haven’t had any problems with their systems, they don’t need to pump out their tanks. Sadly this is a major and sometimes costly misconception.  Remember: Regular pumping helps prevent solids from escaping into the leaching field and clogging soil pores. The more you put into the septic system the more sludge is formed, and needs to be pumped out. While pumping frequency is a function of use, the Westport Board of Health has a regulation: systems must be pumped at least once every three years and if the home has a garbage disposal, to comply with the regulation, the septic tank should be pumped out every year. This prevents the ever increasing buildup of sludge from ultimately working its way to the leaching field, where it can clog and destroy a system. When this happens, sewage either backs up into the house or a “sewage break-out” occurs, or sometimes both. Repair and replacements of leaching fields can often cost several thousand dollars. When hiring a pumper, be sure the Westport Board of Health has licensed the pumper, and always make sure you get a paid receipt that spells out the details of the transaction (how many gallons were pumped out of the tank, the date, the charges, and any other pertinent results). Retain this receipt for your records. The pumper sends a copy of this report to the Board of Health. The person who comes to pump out the tank can also advise you on its condition, so ask how things look. Proper and regular maintenance can aid in the efficiency and extend the life of your septic system.

Introducing our new web design We have re-designed and updated our web page with new images and streamlined navigation through the pages. You can check it out at www.westportwatershed.org.

Winter Art Show - Call for Artists! WRWA will be hosting the 7th annual Winter Art Show at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery from February 22 through March 7, 2020. This year's theme is "Wooden Boat Parts," or Boat ART-ifacts. Interested artists are invited to come and pick up parts of wooden boats that we are collecting at our Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 5. Or, call us and let us know you will be dropping by to pick up a piece. Do you have an old wooden boat that can be disassembled? Please call us! For more information, and to sign up, call us at 508-636-3016 or email outreach@wrwa.com.   WRWA 2020 Photo Calendars Available Now We have our new 2020 photo calendars available now, featuring local tide graphs and photos of Westport scenes.  This year’s photos are the winners chosen from over 80 entries in WRWA’s photo contest held this past spring. An independent group of volunteer judges viewed the photos and selected the winners last May. The photographs, donated by area photographers, represent the most beautiful of Westport landscapes throughout the seasons, along with some remarkable wildlife shots.  “We had so many photos of beautiful scenes that are uniquely Westport, and some distinctive native wildlife shots for our photo contest,” says Deborah Weaver, WRWA Executive Director. “The submissions just seem to get better each year. Our thanks to all the talented photographers!”  The winning photos were provided by local photographers Kim Brittain, Rich Castenson, Jane Dahill Flanagan, Mark Goulding, Joanne Humphrey, Brian Mullaney, Norma Pineault, Greg Stone, Betsy Szel, Amelia Tripp and Michael Wrightington. The calendars are on sale now at the WRWA headquarters at 493 Old County Road, on line at www.westportwatershed.org, and locally at Partners Village Store and the Dedee Shattuck Gallery.

Creature Feature - Sheepshead Minnows by Jess Mattos, Commonwealth Corps Educator

Sheepshead minnows are small fish that can be found in brackish water in bays, inlets, salt marshes, and similar areas with few waves and sandy or muddy bottoms. They are often in the company of killifish and silversides. Males are typically bigger than females and can grow up to 3 inches, but normally only get to be about 1.2 inches. Sheepshead Minnows are nearly half as deep as they are long, with flat sides. These Minnows are an olive green color above and are slightly yellow below. Juveniles have irregular dark bars which females keep as they mature but males lose. When breeding season begins the males becomes very colorful with steel blue in upper parts in front of the dorsal fin, with green upper parts behind and deep salmon pink underparts. Breeding typically takes place between April and September and only a few eggs are laid at a time. The eggs clump together and sink to the seabed. Eggs stick to plants, the river’s floor and other eggs by connecting with a sticky thread. Sheepsheads minnows are omnivores and eat both animal and vegetable matter. This fish is aggressive and will attack fish larger than itself. It slashes its prey with its sharp teeth and devours it. If it gets cold enough during the winter, sheepshead minnows burrow into the bottom and remain dormant, meaning they become very still and slow their breathing, almost like they’re frozen. Sheepshead minnows are really cool fish. There are plentiful, so they’re not at risk for becoming extinct any time soon. Fishermen often use sheepshead minnows as bait for recreational fishing. They also have a high resistance to environmental extremes, which means that they can withstand big changes in oxygen levels, temperature, and salinity conditions that are common in coastal salt marshes. These little fish are a super hardy!

Renew Your Membership! Thanks to everyone who renewed their WRWA Membership for 2019. If you haven't renewed yet, now would be a great time! Just click on the link above, or send your donation to WRWA PO Box 3427, Westport, MA 02790.

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Thank You to our Corporate Sponsors