Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission

Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

Media Release

CONTACT: Beckie Finn, Univaersity of Massachusetts, Water Resources Research Center (413) 545-5979
Patty Gambarini, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (413) 781-6045


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2009

Connecticut River Water Quality Monitoring Project Launches New Website

Before going out for a paddle or swim, recreational users of the Connecticut River can check the Internet for up-to-date water quality information on three segments of the river: between Longmeadow and South Hadley and between Hatfield and Northfield  in Massachusetts; and between Lebanon, New Hampshire and Hartford, Vermont to Claremont and Ascutney, Vermont.  A new website provides a map with color-coded place markers for each sampling location indicating the suitability of the water for swimming or boating. Clicking on a place marker brings up a window with the latest sampling data, a bar graph display of recent samples, and photos of the location. This information can be found at http://www.cesd.umass.edu/TWI/TWI_Projects/Water_Quality_Monitoring/. 

The availability of this information is the result of a water quality monitoring project conducted by The University of Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, and the Connecticut River Joint Commissions. The water quality monitoring project is one of ten Connecticut River projects funded under a $953,000 Targeted Watershed Initiative grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, matched by $458,000 in local funding commitments.  Descriptions for all other project components can be seen at http://www.cesd.umass.edu/TWI/.

Until recently, only limited water quality information has been available for the Connecticut River. This information has indicated that in many urbanized areas the river’s bacterial contamination is so high during wet weather events—due to combined sewer overflow discharges and to urban stormwater flows—that it does not meet standards for recreational uses. The good news is that water quality seems to be improving.

The monitoring project has been examining water temperature and bacteria at 26 sites along the river.  Data provides a more complete picture of the river’s health and understanding about sources of contamination. This is useful not only to recreational users who have direct contact with the waters, but to local, state, and federal officials in addressing combined sewer overflow discharges and stormwater flows. 

Water quality monitoring is currently in its second year on the stretches of river between Longmeadow and South Hadley, between Hatfield and Northfield, and between White River Junction, New Hampshire, and Hartford, Vermont. Information is posted within 24 hours of monitoring so that recreational users can make informed decisions about their activities on the river. 

The Water Resources Research Center has been fortunate to have the help of several dedicated volunteers with the monitoring project. For more information, call Beckie Finn of the Water Resources Research Center at (413) 545-5979.