Creek Brook wetlands in Haverhill, Massachusetts --

A new shopping center was started and to control storm water runoff from the hill, the wildlife of the wetlands is ignored as it is drained. This wetland is home to breeding populations of kingfishers, geese, mallard and wood ducks, spotted turtles (an endangered species), and American Bitterns.

Taunton, Massachusetts --

Early settlers were drawn to the Mill River because of reports of abundant fisheries, and Taunton soon gained the reputation for being the “Herring Town.” Grist mills were built on the river at Cohannet after settlement and Taunton lost its herring run.

Taunton developed into an industrial manufacturing and shipbuilding city, and became “Silver City” for the abundant jewelry manufacturing along Mill River, while the river was left with pollution and the results of industrial development such as stormwater issues.

Mill River is a tributary of the Taunton River, which is an excellent habitat for fish and one of the highest quality coastal New England rivers. Upstream spawning areas in Lake Sabbatia and Winnecunnet Pond can provide annual migration for 100,000 herrings. 

The four dams built on Mill River create waters that tend to be warmer than naturally flowing rivers, block the passage of nutrients for plants and animals downstream, and flood ecosystems such as wetlands at river’s edge. They can also block fish from spawning sites and critical habitats.