Threats To The Westfield River

By Author: Rushing Rivers Institute
Total Articles: 2
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Climate Change, man-made dams and over-use of water have led to catastrophic results for the fresh waters of the New England region. The creatures that populate these waters are in just as much danger. Just fewer than 1000 species of fish and amphibians are threatened by these issues. Global warming is hurting these more as studies show aquatic species are five times more likely to face extinction than their land counterparts. Thirty to thirty-five percent of all freshwater fish are either in danger of being extinct or are already so, and the last half century has seen ninety-three percent of this.

The aging industrial factories and dams of Massachusetts have turned what were once roaring rivers into series of small ponds. Additionally, increased commercial, industrial, and residential development has led to massive amounts of paving and excessive use of the natural water supply, leading to intensified droughts and floods. Droughts have become so severe that a river drying up entirely is no longer a rare occurrence. A significant number of Massachusetts Rivers were dry in 2007, including the Ipswich which was dry ...
... for the second time in 4 years.

These issues are compounded by Climate change, which has given rise to even newer problems. Global Warming has caused lower flow rates for most of the freshwater rivers and, combined with the impact of man-made dams, this has turned many rivers into patches of ponds. These shallow pools act as natural solar collectors and allow for the rivers to rise to unusually high temperatures. Rivers that were once considered cold water can now be measured as close to 80 F. Some fish species, such as brook trout and Atlantic salmon, require the original cold temperatures. Temperatures reaching 80 are nothing short of fatal.

Predictions now show that Massachusetts is losing, and will continue to lose freshwater fauna. The recently published Massachusetts water policy reflects the dire situation that our waterways are in. This water policy has made recommendations such as restoring watershed connectivity, preventing habitat fragmentation and identifying physical conditions such as flow and river habitat structure necessary to sustain fish, wildlife and other water-dependent organisms.

The Westfield River has recently been identified as lacking an accurate course of action to correct the aforementioned problems. While the Westfield River is only categorized as moderately threatened, 83% of the water withdrawn is never replenished. The river is ideal for Atlantic salmon to spawn, however much of the species has to be transported via truck in order to accommodate the dams along the river.

Because of these reasons, strict scrutiny and oversight has to be utilized when authorizing any continued use of the River's water. The restoration of it and its fauna must be prioritized by resource managers, not continued extraction for human use. Inaccurate assessment of the river, followed by inaccurate use will result in the degradation of our natural heritage and the ecosystem's stability.

Presently under review in the Western Massachusetts area is what is being called the Russell Biomass; a wood burning energy station aimed at supplying the nearby area with a renewable, green energy source. The proposal has plans to build on the ruins of a long-closed paper mill in what has become and unsightly brownfied area. The Biomass, while aiming to lower the regions carbon footprint, also seeks to convert this area into a place for viable employment.

Because so much of the attention has been on reducing carbon emissions, any negative repercussions on the surrounding environment that could potentially occur have been ignored, specifically with regards to rivers. The appropriate authorities have weighed the environmental cost and benefits, but have done so without the most accurate and up-to-date technology. As a result, if the Biomass presents a threat to the river to which it is constructed on or not is currently unknown, and that is the problem.

Going forward with the Biomass construction is essentially gambling with the areas ecosystem. By promoting one environmental initiative and risking another is counter-productive, and indicative of a problem that reaches far beyond Massachusetts. Only through coordinated efforts with a view of the complete picture can any environmental solution be one that is truly effective.

The reduction of our carbon footprint is a probably one of the biggest challenges of our generation, and its positive outcome affects almost all environmental work, especially rivers. Putting all of our efforts in this task without vision for similar issues however will undermine the very things we are seeking to protect. If left ignored, rivers will simply have problems to be dealt with later. Global Warming is a dangerous threat to our world, and only thwarting all of its problems with equal vigor will solutions be adequate.
Rushing Rivers Institute is an environmental non-profit group dedicated to stopping river degradation. For ways to help, visit their website about river conservation.