Projects & Programs
Below are a few of the activities the PRWC is currently involved in.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
The PRWC is working with representatives from the watershed towns, the Connecticut DEP and United States Geological
Survey (USGS) to develop a cost effective surface and groundwater monitoring protocol that will help alert the
Coalition to septic system failures, chemical spills, and other contamination in the river and aquifer. This information
will available to the public upon request.
- Marcroinvertebrate Surveys. The PRWC participates in the CT DEP "Rapid Bioassessment in Wadeable Streams & Rivers by Volunteer Monitors (RBV)" program where macroivertebrate species are collected, identified, and tabulated as a Step 1 accessment of water quality. To view this ongoing project and the results to date, click here.
STREAMWALK PROGRAM
Volunteers are trained to walk the Pomperaug River and its tributaries, conducting a physical survey of the condition of
the river and its banks. This information is used to identify and prioritize problem sites in the watershed, and will be
used as the basis for grant applications for remediation.
POMPERAUG WATER ALLOCATION PLANNING STUDY (PWAPS)
The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition conducted a study on water allocation for the Institute of Water Resources at the University of Connecticut from the spring 2008 until fall of 2009. The objective was to develop a political process for determining how to allocate water. Given the typical abundance of water in this particular watershed in most year, the study began by constructing a severe drought scenario as the basis for a table-top simulation. During the simulation, stakeholders in the watershed worked through how they would deal with the implications of a severe drought.
POMPERAUG PLANTATION HISTORY PROJECT
A collaborative effort of the
Coalition
with local historical societies, libraries and museums to better understand the role of the Pomperaug River system in the historical development of the surrounding area and how human development has altered the river system over the years.
IM RIVERS MAPPING
The Coalition is using interactive mapping as a method to grow our watershed community. IMRivers is an interactive mapping web portal that enables watershed and river conservation groups to customize and maintain Google Maps for the purpose of coordinating, viewing and sharing information. With it, we have mapped water sampling locations, historical dams, areas of eroding streambank, unique natural areas, and much more.
STREAM GAUGES
The Coalition spearheaded efforts to reactivate stream gauges on the Nonnewaug and Weekeepeemee Rivers. These gauges,
along with the one already in operation on the Pomperaug River, measure the flow and the depth of the river. Real-time
data from the gauges are available at the USGS website:
POMPERAUG WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROJECT
The Coalition is undertaking a project to create a comprehensive management plan for the sustainable use of the water
in the Pomperaug River Watershed. In consultation with the State’s Department of Environmental Protection and working
with scientists at Cornell University and the United States Geological Survey, the Coalition will develop models
to understand and quantify: (1)how water enters, moves through, and leaves the watershed and its aquifers, and
(2) the ecological requirements of the watershed’s rivers and streams. The knowledge gained from this modeling will
provide the data upon which to base a plan for the management of the allocation among the many demands placed on
this resource -- drinking water, irrigation,waste water assimilation, recreation and aesthetics - while still
maintaining the integrity of the aquatic and related habitat. The study will be the first of its kind
in New England and has been designated by the CT Water Planning Council as a model for Connecticut’s water
resource user community. (State of Connecticut Water Planning Council annual report to the general assembly and work plan
for 2004. January 26, 2004)
- See the project management plan and progress by clicking here.
- Read USGS Phase 1 results by clicking here.
- Read USGS Phase 2 results by clicking here.
CRITICAL LANDS ANALYSIS
The Coalition's Land Use Committee has developed an analysis of lands that are critical to the health of the Pomperaug Watershed. Click here to read the details.
UCONN SEDIMENT STUDY
This preliminary study of the sediment dynamics of the Pomperaug River will
allow the Coalition to relate potential changes in water flows in the watershed
to changing conditions in river bottoms, bank erosion and sediment storage. Click here to read the details.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT WATER PLANNING COUNCIL
In 2001 the Connecticut Legislature mandated the formation of a Water Planning Council, whose mission is
to "identify issues and strategies which bridge the gap between the water supply planning process and water
resources management in order that water can be appropriately allocated to balance competing needs while protecting
the health, safety and welfare of the people of Connecticut and minimize adverse economic and environmental effects.” The PRWC is represented on the Council by Director Marc Taylor. As a result of his participation, the Coalition has gained significant visibility and credibility, and is playing
an important role in bringing the concerns and interests of the environmental community to the Council.
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