Protecting Water Quality and Native Vegetation

PIE-Rivers Partners are looking out for opportunities to address threats to the Ipswich, Parker and Essex Rivers. Invasive species are one such threat, in particular invasive aquatic plants. Exotic, invasive aquatic plants can infest water bodies causing problems for fish and for recreational uses. Infestations at ponds in the Parker, Ipswich and Essex watersheds have been documented and many more areas are vulnerable. Once established, these invasives are very difficult and costly to treat; early detection programs can prevent further infestations.

In 2017, program staff from the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Ponds Program provided training to local volunteers on how to identify invasive aquatic plants. This year, Ipswich River Watershed Association staff and volunteers are setting out to utilize this training in survey several local ponds and segments of the Ipswich River, from Hood Pond in Topsfield to areas in North Reading, Wilmington, Ipswich and Boxford.

These efforts across the region have also recently received a boost from the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation, who is funding the development of a volunteer water quality monitoring program in the Chebacco Lake watershed. In partnership with the Chebacco Lake and Watershed Association, the Essex program will combine water quality and invasive species monitoring.

Monitoring outings will be planned over the remainder of the summer and into the fall. If you live in any of the communities mentioned above and would like to help, please contact Ryan at rodonnell@ipswichriver.org or 978-412-8200.