For details on enjoying each watershed, click below:

Find a body of water to explore in one of Barnstable's watersheds

Paddling the Eel River in the Eel River Watershed

Find an event with the Herring Ponds Watershed Association

Your map for adventure in the Jones River Watershed

Explore the Narragansett Bay Watershed with Save the Bay

Recreation on water and land in the Neponset River Watershed

Recreation with NSRWA or on your own in the North and South Rivers Watershed

Fishing, swimming, and boating in the Pembroke Watershed

Fishing and boating in Long Pond in the Six Ponds Watershed

Where to recreate in the Taunton River Watershed

Paddle a boat in the Weir River Watershed

What We Can Do:

•  Water conservation at home and at work means less need to excessively pump groundwater. It is inexpensive and does not require meaningful changes in lifestyle. Click here to see what you can do at home to conserve water.
• SOLUTIONS FOR DEALING WITH IMPERVIOUS SURFACES?
• Treat wastewater locally and discharge it back to the ground or to surface water upstream of the water supply wells or reservoirs it came from. New public wastewater treatment plants, and those wishing to expand their capacity, should be required to discharge their treated “effluent” strategically so that it replenishes water supplies and adds to stream flows. Sewers leading to large, centralized treatment plants should rarely be extended. A better alternative is “spot sewering,” where wastewater from malls, office parks or entire neighborhoods is sent via small sewers to a nearby “package treatment plant” for local disposal. For homes, wastewater can also be safely treated and returned to the aquifer by using well maintained septic systems (assuming adequate yard size and proper soil conditions); in the long term it’s usually much cheaper than paying sewer bills.
• Recycle wastewater for additional uses. Treated wastewater — particularly “greywater” from showers and sinks — can also be used to irrigate lawns and plants or as “cooling water” in air conditioning systems. Even wastewater from urinals in large buildings can be cleaned and used again (as it is at Gillette Stadium and at the Wrentham Mall, among many others).
• Fix infiltration of groundwater and inflow of rainwater into old sewer pipes. Infiltration is groundwater that enters a sewer system through cracked, crushed or leaky pipes, joints and manholes. Inflow is rain or surface water that enters the sewer system, generally through illegal connection of things like sump pumps and roof drains. Infiltration and inflow (known as “I/I”) not only steal huge amounts of water from water supplies and waterways, it reduces sewers’ carrying capacity so that in big rainstorms raw sewage may spill out into streets, lawns, basements and waterways. People living in communities with I/I also pay far more than they need to in sewer bills.

ARE THERE MORE INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES ON THIS?

here we'll describe how people can support their local watershed group and why it matters.

October 14, 2020

It's time to show our appreciation for our natural resources.

The State normal budget process was disrupted (along with everything else) due to the pandemic, however, the legislature is still considering funding for FY2021, and their proposals may be just around the corner.

State environmental programs took a huge economic hit in FY2009 and have yet to recover. In light of declining revenues during the Covid-19 crisis, it’s critical that we let our legislators know how important these programs are.

Our natural resources are critical for our communities.

Protecting and restoring natural resources makes our communities more resilient to climate change, which poses a significant public health and safety threat due to the impacts of extreme weather, flooding, high heat, and drought.

As we continue to rely on our natural resources for safe recreational opportunities, we must make sure that our legislative leaders know how important investment in environmental programs continues to be.

Please call, email, or send a letter to your state legislator and ask them to:

• Maintain the Governor’s proposed funding of $33,646,687 for the Department of Environmental Protection Administration (line item 2200-0100).
  DEP is often our first line of defense against every day threats to human health and the environment. Adequate staff and resources are essential for climate change planning, safe management of toxics (including PFAS), enforcing environmental laws, hazardous waste cleanup, and preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

• Maintain the Governor’s proposed funding of $1,524,408 for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Watershed Management Office (line item 2800-0101).
  This office conducts and helps fund critical research on water resources throughout the Commonwealth. It is responsible for protecting our precious water resources by providing scientific information, policy guidance, technical assistance, and resource management. It also works to protect and restore DCR’s 300 lakes and 51 freshwater swimming beaches, enhancing both the ecological integrity and recreational opportunities of these resources. The services provided by this office are essential to maintaining strong science-based policies to safeguard our rivers, lakes, and water supplies.

• Maintain the Governor’s proposed funding of $47,635,283 for the Department of Conservation and Recreation State Parks and Recreation (line item 2810-0100).
  According to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) COVID-19 Community Mobility Report, DCR parks saw an average of 99% increase in traffic across the state, with a 300% increase in some counties. In an otherwise difficult year, parks, trails, and amenities have been a bright spot for communities, and a critical source of refuge and wellness for Massachusetts residents and visitors.

• Maintain the Governor’s proposed funding of $2,032,048 for the Department of Fish & Game, Division of Ecological Restoration (item 2300-0101).
  DER oversees dam removals, culvert replacements, streamflow restoration, saltmarsh restoration, and urban river revitalization across Massachusetts. These facilitate the movement of fish, wildlife, and water. For every $1 million spent, the average DER project generates a 75% return on investment and creates or maintains 12.5 full-time-equivalent jobs. Moreover, helping towns improve infrastructure with larger, safer structures and configurations, DER increases resilience to increased precipitation and more intense storms due to climate change. 
  

(Please feel free to cut and paste the information above in your correspondence to legislators.)

Your personal story matters.

The environment matters to you. Please contact your state legislator today and tell them that a safe and healthy environment is a priority.