Three Rivers Park and the Pomperaug River, Woodbury, CT: A Management Analysis of River Stability and Riparian Buffers. (Fall 2010)

Prepared by Emily Stevenson and Eliza Cava for River Processes and Restoration, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Profession Jim MacBroom

Summary - As part of their course requirements, Yale Students selected Three Rivers Park in Woodbury as the focus of their river anaylsis project. They evaluated the hydraulic regime and buffer composition in and along the Pomperaug River from the confluence to Judson Avenue. Their analysis includes cross-sectional measurements, peddle counts, bank stability, flood risk and frequency, and overall stream stability. Stevenson and Cava also outline recommendations that include enhancing the riparian buffer and reconnecting the river to its floodplain.

Pomperaug River Watershed Streamwalk Summary Report. (May 2010)

Prepared in cooperation with the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition by
Jennifer Holton of Streamscape Environmental, LLC.

Summary - In the summer of 2000, The Coalition inaugurated a volunteer program to survey the rivers and tributaries that make up the Pomperaug Watershed. The objectives of the Volunteer Streamwalk Program are: (1) to document the physical characteristics of the rivers and streams in the Pomperaug Watershed, and (2) to involve the community in river conservation stewardship. This report documents the observations made by volunteers in the segments completed through Fall 2009. Tables and maps highlight the most commonly observed threats to water quality throughout the watershed and in what areas these problems occur. It also makes recommendations as to actions that may be taken to correct or restore problem areas.

Estimation of the Effects of Land Use and Groundwater Withdrawals on Streamflow for the Pomperaug River, Connecticut. (October 2010)

by David M. Bjerklie, J. Jeffery Starn, and Claudia Tamayo.
U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5114

Summary - "In recent years, increased use of surface-water and groundwater supplies in the Pomperaug River watershed in Connecticut has created concern among resource managers that future development will result in streamflows insufficient for aquatic habitat and recreational use... Increases in population and development can lead to changes in land use and land cover that cause changes in the distribution of runoff and groundwater recharge. Unless these effects are considered when allocating the water resources, instream flow losses and degradation of water quality and ecosystems can occur... The future health and economic welfare of the communities within the watershed depend on a continuing supply of uncontaminated freshwater... More comprehensive water-use data and analysis of water-use information are needed to quantify the stress on existing supplies and to better model and evaluate possible demand-management options to supplement the traditional supply approaches."

"A precipitation runoff model for the Pomperaug River watershed, Connecticut was developed to address issues of concern including the effect of development on streamflow and groundwater recharge, and the implications of water withdrawals on streamflow."

Aquifer Chemistry and Transport Processes in the Zone of Contribution to a Public-Supply Well in Woodbury, Connecticut, 2002–06. (February 2010)

By Craig J. Brown, J. Jeffrey Starn, Kenneth G. Stollenwerk, Remo A. Mondazzi, and Thomas J. Trombley
United States Geological Survey - National Water-Quality Assessment Program

Summary - "A glacial aquifer system in Woodbury, Connecticut, was studied to identify factors that affect the groundwater quality in the zone of contribution to a community public-supply well. Water samples were collected during 2002–06 from the public-supply well and from 35 monitoring wells in glacial stratified deposits, glacial till, and fractured bedrock. The glacial aquifer is vulnerable to contamination from a variety of sources due to the short groundwater residence times and the urban land use in the contributing recharge area to the public-supply well." Unique chemical characteristics of water in the aquifer were used to identify groundwater recharge areas, potential sources of contamination, as well as groundwater path flows and timeframes for water to travel from recharge areas to public supply wells.

Assessing the Vulnerability of Public-Supply Wells to Contamination: Glacial Aquifer System in Woodbury, Connecticut. (January 2010)

By Martha L. Jagucki, Craig J. Brown, J. Jeffrey Starn, and Sandra M. Eberts
United States Geological Survey

Summary - This 6-page fact sheet explores the vulnerability of drinking water to contamination based on the geologic characteristics of the aquifer, the type of well, and how quickly water moves from recharge areas to the public water supply well. The Pomperaug Watershed was used as the representative for glacial aquifer systems that water moves through quickly, thus making them vulnerable to man-made contaminates on the land surface.

Click here for more information about the National Water-Quality Assessment, Transport of Anthropogenic and Natural Contaminants (NAWQA-TANC) to Public-Supply Wells.
Click here to view a short short video about the vulnerability of our public supply wells based on research of different aquifer systems and well types throughout the country, including the Pomperaug Aquifer in Woodbury, CT.

Recharge Mapping: A GIS-based tool for identifying land with significant groundwater recharge. (September 2009)

By Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, Council of Governments of Central Naugatuck Valley, and Housatonic Valley Association.

The Recharge Mapping Tool is a GIS-based model that allows the user to estimate how much precipiation will soak into the ground and infiltrate into underground aquifers. The Tool is based on the results of the U.S. Geological Survey's Precipitation Runoff Modeling System applied to the Pomperaug Watershed. The Tool allows other watershed organizations, towns, and environmental groups to understand how much water soaks into the ground in their area -- information that can be used in a planning context for stormwater management, low impact development, sustainable yields for water supplies, and aquifer protection.

Click here for a One-Page Overview.
Click here for an Overview Poster created by Council of Governments of Central Naugatuck Valley. (Large file - 6MB)
Click here for the Recharge Mapping Tool user manual.
See below for related Manual for Assessing Hydrologic Value of Land Parcels.

Transylvania Pond - Southbury, Connecticut: Environmental Review Team Report. (September 2008)

By Eastern Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc.

Summary - This report was prepared to determine the options for the future existence of Transylvania Pond. The 35-acre manmade pond is located within Janie Pierce Park, a town owned park located astride the Southbury - Woodbury town line. At issue are problems with weed growth that are affecting recreational and aesthetic values. The Town of Southbury is interested in determining the feasibility of dredging, herbicide treatments, other methods for weed control or allowing the natural eutrophication process to occur. Other concerns addressed are the condition of the dam, soil erosion and stormwater management problems and a land use and regional perspective.

Anthropogenic Organic Compounds in Source and Finished Water from Community Water System Wells in Western and Central Connecticut, 2002–2004. (2007)

By Thomas J. Trombley, Craig J. Brown, and Gregory C. Delzer
United States Geological Survey

Summary - A water quality assessment by the USGS revealed the presence of manmade organic compounds in water from 15 community water system wells and associated finished drinking water. The most common organic compounds detected were the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) chloroform and MTBE. Triazine herbicides and their byproducts accounted for most of the detected pesticides. Concentrations of the detected compounds generally were low.

Simulations of Ground-Water Flow and Residence Time near Woodbury, Connecticut. (2007)

By J. Jeffrey Starn and Craig J. Brown
United States Geological Survey

Summary - Water withdrawn for public use from the glacial stratified drift aquifer in Woodbury, CT, is a mixture of water from different source areas, each having a characteristic water quality signature. The USGS used a mathematical model to explore the process of this water mixing, particularly the role of land use change, the pattern of recharge, and how long water remains in the aquifer. These factors all contribute to the water quality signature of the water withdrawn.

Hydrogeologic Setting and Ground-Water Flow Simulations of the Pomperaug River Basin Regional Study Area, Connecticut. (2007)

By Forest P. Lyford, Carl S. Carlson, Craig J. Brown, and J. Jeffrey Starn
United States Geological Survey

Section 6 of "Hydrogeologic Settings and Ground-Water Flow Simulations for Regional Studies of the Transport of Anthropogenic and Natural Contaminants to Public-Supply Wells—Studies Begun in 2001"
Edited by Suzanne S. Paschke

Summary - "The transport of anthropogenic and natural contaminants to public-supply wells was evaluated for the glacially derived valley-fill aquifer in the Pomperaug River Basin, Connecticut, as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The glacial valley-fill aquifer in the Pomperaug River Basin regional study area is representative of the glacial aquifer system in the Northeastern United States, is used extensively for public water supply, and is susceptible and vulnerable to contamination." This study used a model to simulate the flow of water and particulate matter in the aquifer in order to calculate how long it takes water to travel from recharge areas to public supply wells. "Approximately 73 percent of the traveltimes are less than 10 years indicating water quality in the glacial valley-fill aquifer is susceptible to the effects of overlying land use."

Assessment and restoration of instream habitat for the Pomperaug, Nonnewaug and Weekeepeemee Rivers of Connecticut. (January 2007)

By Piotr Parasiewicz, Jeffrey Legros, Joe Rogers, Miira Wirth
Northeast Instream Habitat Program - University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Summary - "The purpose of this study is: 1) to evaluate the low-flow related stresses to physical habitat and fish community, variables which affect the health of the ecosystem, and 2) to determine the ecologically viable objectives for a management plan for the Pomperaug River watershed. The study includes models for a reference fish community and instream habitat, created using the MesoHABSIM approach. Included were a baseline assessment of the present status of the fish fauna and a reconnaissance level survey of the freshwater mussels, as well as flow and temperature measurements. Aquatic habitat assessments were conducted and maps were made for a number of representative sites at low flow conditions. Model results indicated that future increases in water withdrawals and watershed development would dramatically affect catastrophic and persistent low flow conditions in the summer, which would certainly impact the fish fauna." (from report Executive Summary)

Click here for a Simple Overview

First Annual Water Quality Report for Long Meadow Lake. (January 2007)

By Donna M. Lesch, HydroEnvironmental Solutions, Inc.

Long Meadow Lake is located in the headwaters of the Pomperaug River Watershed, and its stewardship is spearheaded by the Long Meadow Lake Management Committee (LMLMC). In March 2005, the LMLMC started a volunteer lake monitoring program that includes the collection of data in-situ for key physico-chemical parameters on a monthly basis at three in-lake stations. The current objective of this program is to characterize the general ecological health of the lake over time. The First Annual Water Quality Report summarizes and interprets the first year of lake monitoring data.

A Manual for Assessing Hydrologic Value of Land Parcels based on Physical Attributes. (December 2007)

By The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition and The Southbury Land Trust

Summary - Derived from a US Geological Survey (USGS) model created for the Pomperaug Watershed, this manual describes a way to determine the relative amount of water that will recharge back into the aquifer based on physical attributes of land. Attributes of primary importance are Class D soils, Impervious Surface, Coarse Stratified Drift, and Drainage Density. This tool may be particularly useful to plan for the preservation of open space and as reference information for towns drafting or amending their Plan of Conservation and Development.

Volunteer Streamwalk Program: Summary Report and Proposed Action Plan. (March 2005)

Prepared in cooperation with the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition by
A. Hunter Brawley (First Draft) and Margery Winters (Final Report)

Summary - In the summer of 2000, The Coalition inaugurated a volunteer program to survey the rivers and tributaries that make up the Pomperaug Watershed. The objectives of the Volunteer Streamwalk Program (VSWP) are: (1) to document the physical characteristics of the rivers and streams in the Pomperaug Watershed, and (2) to involve the community in river conservation stewardship. This report documents the observations made by volunteers in the segments completed through Summer 2004. It also makes recommendations as to actions that may be taken to correct or restore problem areas.

The Role of Agriculture In the Preservation of Open Space and the Protection of Water Resources: A Case Study of the Pomperaug River Watershed. (2004)

Prepared by Marion Griswold, for the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition in conjunction with Council of Governments of Central Naugatuck Valley (COGCNV)

Summary - This report focuses on "the development of long-term strategies to protect and preserve the water resources of the Pomperaug Watershed. The most effective way to protect the local water resources is to manage what goes into them, which in turn involves managing the land adjacent to the river, its tributaries, and over its aquifer recharge areas. PRWC's Land Committee and COGCNV decided to research and analyze the various methods and criteria used for conserving lands of “critical value,” which it defined as those lands playing a direct role in the protection of the health of the watershed. It decided to focus first on agricultural lands because many of the largest remaining tracts of open land in the watershed are farmland; and, since much of the farmland in the watershed is located in flood plain areas, activities on those lands, and the loss of those lands to development, have the potential for significant impacts on local water resources."

State of the Watershed (April 2001)

Prepared by the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition

In April 2001 the Coalition published a 49-page State of the Watershed Report, summarizing all available research data relative to the Pomperaug Watershed. Past studies of the River looked at individual elements of the watershed and aquifer and created only a partial portrait, often with data that was not current. Using the latest Geographic Information System, census, water use, and water quality data, the State of the Watershed Report gives an overview of current conditions and creates, for the first time, a detailed and comprehensive picture of the watershed.

Delineation and Analysis of Uncertainty of Contributing Areas to Wells at the Southbury Training School, Southbury, Connecticut. (2000)

By J. Jeffrey Starn, Janet Radway Stone, and John R. Mullaney
United States Geological Survey

Summary - "Contributing areas to public-supply wells at the Southbury Training School in Southbury, Connecticut, were mapped by simulating ground-water flow in stratified glacial deposits in the lower Transylvania Brook watershed. A watershed-scale model, depicting large-scale ground-water flow in the Transylvania Brook watershed, was used to estimate the distribution of groundwater recharge. Estimates of recharge from 10 small basins in the watershed differed on the basis of the drainage characteristics of each basin. Small basins having well-defined stream channels contributed less ground-water recharge than basins having no defined channels because potential ground-water recharge was carried away in the stream channel." (from report Abstract)