Leverett Pond Watershed

Lake Watershed Stewardship Program

Leverett Pond Watershed

A sub-basin of the Mill River Watershed
Connecticut River Watershed
Leverett, Massachusetts

Priority Sheets and Action Plan (pdf)

LEVERETT POND WATERSHED SURVEY SUMMARY AND RESULTS

overview map of Leverett Pond Watershed Part of the headwaters section of the Mill River Watershed described above (in the Connecticut River Watershed), the Leverett Pond Watershed includes a very small corner of Leverett draining to Leverett Pond - only 0.6 square miles, including the pond itself. While the Friends of Leverett Pond are concerned about the pond's phosphorus problems, they also believed the problems are largely caused by internal recycling of nutrient-rich bottom sediments and the dead vegetative matter from previous years of rooted macrophytes. They chose to conduct a watershed survey to check their theories and to establish some baseline information on the health of the watershed. In conducting their survey, they did discover sources of phosphorous from the upland watershed, although no serious problem areas. The group also expressed that they benefited from the organizing process, particularly the action planning process, and that they now have a plan for the next few years. Already, members of the steering committee have begun implementation of their action plan, including a site visit with the Massachusetts Public Access Board to discuss options to improve the town's public landing for the pond.

This watershed survey included coverage of Leverett Pond and its outlet stream to Doolittle Brook, as well as the upland watershed areas that contribute to these surface waters. The surveys were completed by a survey team of 10 residents.

Massachusetts Map pinpointing Leverett Pond

Fall 2002
Riverways met with Mitch Mulholland of Friends of Leverett Pond on Tuesday, October 10 at UMass Amherst. Discussed plans and timetable for a watershed survey of the Leverett Pond Watershed in Leverett. Also brainstormed likely participants for both a steering committee and the survey itself.

Riverways facilitated the November 20 meeting of the steering committee for the Leverett Pond Watershed Survey. In attendance were: Richard Brazeau, Leverett Selectboard; Françoise Walk, Massachusetts Water Watch Partnership; Jim Field, Friends of Leverett Pond (FLP); Ralph Tiner, Leverett Conservation; Steve Freedman, FLP; Mitch Mulholland, FLP. In addition to survey and training planning, assessed maps of the Leverett Pond Watershed, considered priorities for the upcoming watershed surveys, and divided the watershed into survey sections.

Riverways facilitated the December watershed survey training workshop for the Leverett Pond Watershed surveys at the Leverett Town Hall, providing education on water quality, nonpoint source education, and lake watershed ecology. Presented the interactive training slideshow, guiding volunteers through an in-the-room survey. This training was delayed until December due to scheduling conflicts. Because of the early winter, by the time of the training Leverett Pond was frozen and it and the watershed were under a good amount of snow. Survey participants decided to do some cursory surveying but to wait until spring to conduct the bulk of their work.

Spring 2003
Riverways facilitated the April 24 watershed survey training workshop for the Leverett Pond Watershed surveys at the Leverett Town Hall, providing education on water quality, nonpoint source education, and lake watershed ecology. Presented the interactive training slideshow, guiding volunteers through an in-the-room survey. Organized volunteers according to survey section.

Volunteers conducted their watershed surveys over the following weeks. Volunteers returned their completed data collection forms from the water surveys.

Riverways compiled volunteers' priorities from each survey section onto a master Priority Sheet that contains essential information and serves as a basis for the action planning meeting.

Riverways facilitated the May 22 Action Planning meeting at the Leverett Town Hall, creating notes for a full action plan of work to address problems and assets identified from the watershed surveys. The highlights of this meeting included consensus to educate residents about watershed-friend landscaping, raise awareness of Leverett Pond among Leverett residents, and report damaged components of stormwater infrastructure to the DPW.

Riverways compiled and organized draft Action Plan from decisions made at the Action Planning meeting for the Leverett Pond Watershed based on the Action Planning meeting.

Summer 2003
Riverways coordinated volunteers in the writing of the Final Report and edited the publication of the Leverett Pond Watershed Survey Final Report. Supported steering committee members at a presentation of the Leverett Pond Watershed Survey Final Report to the Leverett Pond Select Board on June 22.

The Friends of Leverett Pond and other Leverett residents and town officials who participated in the survey are implementing their Action Plan through several new initiatives, including:

1. Starting a new education campaign to increase awareness of Leverett Pond among Leverett Residents.
2. Scheduling a site visit with engineers from the Massachusetts Public Access Board to explore improvements to the town's public access to Leverett Pond.
3. Exploring options for bylaws to address septic system inspections, maintenance and upgrades

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