How clean is the Hoosic River?

By Stephanie BoydPrint Story | Email Story
The flood-control chutes have a commanding presence at the confluence of the north and south branches of the Hoosic, just below the Massahcusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams. (Photo by Glenn Drohan)
Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of articles about the Hoosic River, in conjunction with the second annual “Hoosic Moments” writing contest. Contest details below. Assessing the quality of the Hoosic River is a challenging project that has been a primary focus of the Hoosic River Watershed Association for the past several years. The Hoosic has been designated a Class B inland waterway, implying that it should be suitable for fish and aquatic life habitation and for recreation (fishing, swimming and boating), but some reaches do not yet support these uses fully, and many of its tributaries are unassessed. The Hoosic is cleaner today than it has been since the early 20th century, when it supported industrial production. Historically, contamination of the river came from industrial outflows called point sources. Today’s threats stem from non-point sources: urban, domestic and agricultural runoff. Contaminants are carried by storm-water runoff as its makes it way across fields, paved surfaces and lawns into the river ways. The goals of HooRWA’s monitoring program are to establish baseline conditions, monitor changes and evaluate the quality of the water. Annually, HooRWA staff and volunteers collect water samples throughout the watershed and test acidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen nitrates, turbidity, total suspended solids, bacteria and conductivity. While we don’t have sufficient data to develop a complete picture, some areas of concern have been identified. The flood-control chutes and rip-rapped areas constructed in the 1950s to provide flood protection in Adams and North Adams have negatively affected fish habitat and can dangerously raise water temperatures. Trout in these areas require cool water for survival, but temperatures here can — and do — rise above potentially lethal thresholds. PCB contamination has decreased, due to industry shutdowns and remedial efforts. PCB levels in the Hoosic are the subject of a recent study by a Williams College student, Elaine Denny. Her preliminary results show that PCBs in the riverbanks from North Adams to North Pownal, Vt., are well below danger-threshold levels. It is too early to tell whether the advisory against eating fish caught in the river should be lifted. Most fishermen practice catch and release in areas below the confluence of the north and south branches in North Adams. In other areas of the watershed, bacteria levels are higher than recommended thresholds. Potential sources of bacteria include malfunctioning or poorly designed septic systems and livestock and other animal waste washed into the river during rainstorms. Historically, there have been several trouble spots along the Green River, but recent farm closings and improvements to residential septic systems have ameliorated the situation. In other areas, the source of the contamination is still unknown. Garbage thrown into the river both contributes contaminants and reduces the aesthetic value of the river. In the past year alone, clean-up teams have removed more than three truckloads of waste – shopping carts, televisions, plastic bags, broken chairs, even an old milk truck that had been in the river nearly 50 years. HooRWA continues to investigate human and industrial impacts on the river; to establish baseline conditions prior to the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Pownal, to get closer to identifying the non-point sources of contaminants and to reach farther downstream – to the Walloomsac, Little Hoosic, and the Hoosic, as it spills into the Hudson. What can you do? If you live near the river, allow natural vegetation to grow along the banks to provide shading and cooling. Don’t throw yard waste in the river. It contributes to the reduction of the dissolved oxygen fish need to breath. Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers; keep your septic systems well maintained; work with your local public works department to ensure that storm sewers are well maintained and appropriate land use practices are employed. Most importantly, enjoy the river’s natural beauty. So, should we swim in it? With caution, areas where towns monitor bacteria levels are recommended. Can we eat the fish? Further investigation is required to evaluate level of PCB contamination. Should we be doing something? Yes. If you would like more information about our monitoring program, please visit our Web site or contact us. Please join us at our annual State of the River Conference in the near future, at which these issues will be discussed in more depth. Stephanie Boyd is a member of the HooRWA board of directors and a management consultant for the association. CONTEST DETAILS: The Hoosic Moments writing contest, sponsored by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Hoosic River Watershed Association, The Advocate and Inkberry, seeks submissions from students in two categories: Creative Nonfiction and Poetry. Over $600 in cash and prizes will be distributed in the junior (grades seven to nine) and senior (grades 10 to 12) age groups, and winners will be invited to read their work at a public event this spring. Writing submissions are due by March 1. For complete contest rules, e-mail hoorwa@berkshire.net, visit www.hoorwa.org or call 413-458-2742.
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