Photo credit: Liz Provo

The Dredging Project

In 2011, after more than twenty years of planning, consultations, meetings, site visits, permitting reviews,  and funding delays, the pond underwent a daunting major reconstruction. Years of sediment and weed growth was dredged and removed, allowing for a deeper, cooler channel designed to impede weed growth and encourage an improved natural habitat for fish and other species. 

This initial project was not without some setbacks.  The devastation in the south caused by Hurricane Katrina diverted funds that had been allocated for the dredging, extending the start for an another two years while new funding could be sought.   While a team of federal, state and local government officials, private companies and local citizens volunteering their time worked on the logistics, materials and labor costs,  there were a few unforeseen and unpredictable issues that arose along the way. The unanticipated failure of a system to hold water back from Rubber Thread Pond (Williston-Northampton School area) resulted in an explosion of silt entering Nashawannuck Pond, driving sediment over the dam into the Lower Mill Pond.  When it was brought to the attention of engineers by a steering committee member that a wire grate located below the dam's water line might prohibit the fish from leaving the pond, a Plan B was created, avoiding further risk to natural species.

NOTE:  The next phase of restoration has begun and includes maintaining our investment wisely.  Read more about the White Brook and Broad Brook Siltation Basins Dredging Project here.