From the Nature Museum in Grafton ....
The Fish Ladder is operating - usually only for a few weeks!
Atlantic salmon were sighted at the Vernon Dam, so the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service alerted TransCanada, the corporation that owns and operates the fish ladder at the Watershed Visitor Center on the Connecticut River in Bellows Falls, to start releasing water. With water flowing down the fish ladder, salmon should be able to swim through each ramped concrete compartment to wend their way around and over the 52’ dam in order to get upstream to spawn and lay eggs.
The fish ladder flows only when salmon are running, so the season is usually only a few weeks long because the hydroelectric facility doesn’t want to waste water and lose energy if there is no reason to divert water from the turbines. This summer the water was flowing and visible to the public starting the weekend of June 11.
There are a number of different changing exhibits (such as birds, mammals, insects, and hydrology) created by The Nature Museum at Grafton and displayed at the Visitor Center, and there are always periodically changing activities for children to do; but the facility is most exciting when the fish ladder is flowing and one can look through the large windows in the lower level and see creatures swimming by at eye level. So, hurry to the Watershed Visitor Center next to the Post Office on Bridge Street in downtown Bellows Falls on Saturdays 10-4 or Sundays 12-4 to see the fish ladder while it’s operating.
To learn more about the facility and exhibits there, check the Museum’s website www.nature-museum.org under Other Projects or call the Museum at 802-843-2111.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
2011 WQMP is a GO ... and another volunteer opportunity
Hello All,
We want to give a great big thank you to all of the great folks who keep their commitment to our rivers and to our great organization! The WQMP for 2011 is a go and we are very excited to have Laurie Callahan continue as the WQMP Coordinator for this year. I will post a bit more about details very soon, but for now, please read below to find about another great volunteer opportunity at the Dummerston Bridge .... from Laurie Callahan ....
Here is a volunteer opportunity to lend a hand & help the rain garden grow. The rain garden at the Dummerston covered bridge plays a significant role in protecting the West River water quality at the bridge and downstream. Stewardship of the garden will allow the garden to flourish and to continue in that role of water quality protection.
There will be a work party at the Rte 30 rain garden by the Dummerston covered bridge on Thursday, June 16 from 4-6 PM. Hollis Melton, master gardener from Dummerston, has let me know about this and has mentioned that they can use some additional folks to help-out to get the spring weeding and clean-up accomplished. There will be additional work sessions later in the year. See the recent email exchange between Hollis and I below.
Along with a variety of other native plants, poison ivy also grows in the garden. So, if you participate in the weeding/clean-up , please keep that in mind.
If you are interested in being part of the work party, please send me a short note and I will let Hollis know an approx. number of folks that plan to show-up. If you know Hollis please contact her directly. I hope to see several of you there on June 16th!
Laurie Callahan, SeVWA/WRWA WQMP Coordinator (802-258-1877)
We want to give a great big thank you to all of the great folks who keep their commitment to our rivers and to our great organization! The WQMP for 2011 is a go and we are very excited to have Laurie Callahan continue as the WQMP Coordinator for this year. I will post a bit more about details very soon, but for now, please read below to find about another great volunteer opportunity at the Dummerston Bridge .... from Laurie Callahan ....
Here is a volunteer opportunity to lend a hand & help the rain garden grow. The rain garden at the Dummerston covered bridge plays a significant role in protecting the West River water quality at the bridge and downstream. Stewardship of the garden will allow the garden to flourish and to continue in that role of water quality protection.
There will be a work party at the Rte 30 rain garden by the Dummerston covered bridge on Thursday, June 16 from 4-6 PM. Hollis Melton, master gardener from Dummerston, has let me know about this and has mentioned that they can use some additional folks to help-out to get the spring weeding and clean-up accomplished. There will be additional work sessions later in the year. See the recent email exchange between Hollis and I below.
Along with a variety of other native plants, poison ivy also grows in the garden. So, if you participate in the weeding/clean-up , please keep that in mind.
If you are interested in being part of the work party, please send me a short note and I will let Hollis know an approx. number of folks that plan to show-up. If you know Hollis please contact her directly. I hope to see several of you there on June 16th!
Laurie Callahan, SeVWA/WRWA WQMP Coordinator (802-258-1877)
Friday, May 20, 2011
2011 WQ Program in Danger ... Again!
Dear Citizens of Southeastern Vermont!
It is time ... it is well past time ... for us to be making this call out to you once again to help us support this very important program! The WQMP has been active for EIGHT whole summers since 2002. We are one of the largest and longest running monitoring programs in the state. Our work is so very important for the following reasons:
* Monitoring is one of the most vital ways to help people connect with their steams and rivers - when we go out to wade in the river and collect our fragile samples, we are not only immersing our bodies in the running water, but we are giving our whole SELVES a chance to rest, to breathe, and give back just a little bit to this very dear resource that gives us so very much!
* The DATA is essential for Federal, State, and Local governments to make decisions about the future land use in the Southeastern Vermont. If and when the data shows a river or stream is healthy, it is very difficult to allow for new development that could change this .. but if we never know that its' clean ... or we don't keep showing them, then some day, somebody could make a case for new development that COULD impact the river in a negative way.
* WE, the local people who are so lucky to live here, raise our children and enjoy this beautiful country, need this DATA. Do you swim all summer hoping that the water is clean? OR do you just never go because you are afraid you could get sick ... well, if you become a member and you get INFORMED, you won't have to be afraid. You can make confident decisions based on knowledge and let your kids enjoy the beautiful waters of Southeastern Vermont and go to the pool when the waters aren't safe.
Here is our note from our long time Board Member, Jeremy Schrauf, with more about our current financial situation:
Last year we received just enough in member donations, Town funds and grants to do our sampling program. This year all of the grants we received in the past have ended and only five of the Towns are able to support us this year. The program for 2011 is in jeopardy.
We are now $3,500 short of what we need to conduct any sampling this summer. We have a generous member donation of $1,000 toward that goal if we can raise the remaining $2,500 in the next few weeks.
I’m hoping you would be as generous as you can in this membership renewal drive so that we can meet the goal before sampling is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 8th ...
I can mail or email you a membership form if that would be helpful. If not necessary, please mail your donation to SeVWA at PO Box 402, Brattleboro, VT 05302
It is time ... it is well past time ... for us to be making this call out to you once again to help us support this very important program! The WQMP has been active for EIGHT whole summers since 2002. We are one of the largest and longest running monitoring programs in the state. Our work is so very important for the following reasons:
* Monitoring is one of the most vital ways to help people connect with their steams and rivers - when we go out to wade in the river and collect our fragile samples, we are not only immersing our bodies in the running water, but we are giving our whole SELVES a chance to rest, to breathe, and give back just a little bit to this very dear resource that gives us so very much!
* The DATA is essential for Federal, State, and Local governments to make decisions about the future land use in the Southeastern Vermont. If and when the data shows a river or stream is healthy, it is very difficult to allow for new development that could change this .. but if we never know that its' clean ... or we don't keep showing them, then some day, somebody could make a case for new development that COULD impact the river in a negative way.
* WE, the local people who are so lucky to live here, raise our children and enjoy this beautiful country, need this DATA. Do you swim all summer hoping that the water is clean? OR do you just never go because you are afraid you could get sick ... well, if you become a member and you get INFORMED, you won't have to be afraid. You can make confident decisions based on knowledge and let your kids enjoy the beautiful waters of Southeastern Vermont and go to the pool when the waters aren't safe.
Here is our note from our long time Board Member, Jeremy Schrauf, with more about our current financial situation:
Last year we received just enough in member donations, Town funds and grants to do our sampling program. This year all of the grants we received in the past have ended and only five of the Towns are able to support us this year. The program for 2011 is in jeopardy.
We are now $3,500 short of what we need to conduct any sampling this summer. We have a generous member donation of $1,000 toward that goal if we can raise the remaining $2,500 in the next few weeks.
I’m hoping you would be as generous as you can in this membership renewal drive so that we can meet the goal before sampling is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 8th ...
I can mail or email you a membership form if that would be helpful. If not necessary, please mail your donation to SeVWA at PO Box 402, Brattleboro, VT 05302
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Letter from VNRC about VY, Tritium and Groundwater
Dear Members, Activists and Friends:
Vermont Yankee is in the news again because officials have found radioactive tritium in a new well. This time, it's a well that had been used for drinking water as recently as last March.
Click here to read a well-researched story from VTDigger outlining what regulators in other states have done to address tritium leaks at other nuclear power plants.
Here in Vermont, we need your help to put pressure on our own officials. They need to get serious and crack down on Vermont Yankee.
Ever since the tritium leak at VY was discovered earlier this year, VY has been downplaying the spill, saying the tritium was not in drinking water.
But VNRC, in recent legal filings before state regulators, has pointed out that under Vermont law, the state’s groundwater – all of it – is a public trust resource and should be managed and protected for all Vermonters. Now, with this most recent news, VY has been stripped even of the flimsy “it’s not in the drinking water” defense.
Aquifers are connected. Ignoring that is like suggesting that venom from a snake bite on your hand will never flow to your heart.
Here is what you can do, right now: contact the office of Gov. Jim Douglas, and tell him to order the Agency of Natural Resources to do its job and crack down on the poisoning of our groundwater at Vermont Yankee. Call his office today at 802-828-3333. Or, you can quickly go to his website here and write a note.
Please, do this today.
On another water issue, this time on our northern boundary . . .
The federal Environmental Protection Agency recently ordered Jay Peak ski area to restore wetlands after the resort filled in wetlands and streams with dirt, sand and rocks, in violation of the Clean Water Act. This action by EPA is largely the result of VNRC’s persistent and detailed work, over several years, to highlight the water quality problems at Jay Peak. Click here for more information about VNRC’s on-the-ground stormwater work, including a copy of a VNRC report, “Unchecked and Illegal – How ANR is Failing to Protect Vermont’s Lakes and Streams.”
Our work to protect Vermont’s precious water resources would not be possible without members like you. Thanks for all you do!
The VNRC Team
Vermont Yankee is in the news again because officials have found radioactive tritium in a new well. This time, it's a well that had been used for drinking water as recently as last March.
Click here to read a well-researched story from VTDigger outlining what regulators in other states have done to address tritium leaks at other nuclear power plants.
Here in Vermont, we need your help to put pressure on our own officials. They need to get serious and crack down on Vermont Yankee.
Ever since the tritium leak at VY was discovered earlier this year, VY has been downplaying the spill, saying the tritium was not in drinking water.
But VNRC, in recent legal filings before state regulators, has pointed out that under Vermont law, the state’s groundwater – all of it – is a public trust resource and should be managed and protected for all Vermonters. Now, with this most recent news, VY has been stripped even of the flimsy “it’s not in the drinking water” defense.
Aquifers are connected. Ignoring that is like suggesting that venom from a snake bite on your hand will never flow to your heart.
Here is what you can do, right now: contact the office of Gov. Jim Douglas, and tell him to order the Agency of Natural Resources to do its job and crack down on the poisoning of our groundwater at Vermont Yankee. Call his office today at 802-828-3333. Or, you can quickly go to his website here and write a note.
Please, do this today.
On another water issue, this time on our northern boundary . . .
The federal Environmental Protection Agency recently ordered Jay Peak ski area to restore wetlands after the resort filled in wetlands and streams with dirt, sand and rocks, in violation of the Clean Water Act. This action by EPA is largely the result of VNRC’s persistent and detailed work, over several years, to highlight the water quality problems at Jay Peak. Click here for more information about VNRC’s on-the-ground stormwater work, including a copy of a VNRC report, “Unchecked and Illegal – How ANR is Failing to Protect Vermont’s Lakes and Streams.”
Our work to protect Vermont’s precious water resources would not be possible without members like you. Thanks for all you do!
The VNRC Team
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
E-coli Results 7-14-10
2010 West River Watershed Alliance
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
(Updated July 15, 2010)
* State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
is available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Recreational
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30 July 14
Milk House Meadows 36 & 40 89*
Brattleboro Professional Center 23 52
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19 12
Brookline Bridge 52 26
Townsend, Ellen Ware Road 43 No Data Available
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102 * 1987*
So. Lndndry., Cobb’s swim hole 51 613 & 867*
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185 * No Data Available
Ball Mountain Brook
Jamaica Village 6 60
Williams River
Bartonsville Bridge 145 & 205 * 138*
Rainbow Rock, Chester 112 * 291*
Saxtons River
Bellows Falls “sandy beach” 65 210*
Saxtons River Center 54 145 & 179*
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
(Updated July 15, 2010)
* State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
is available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Recreational
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30 July 14
Milk House Meadows 36 & 40 89*
Brattleboro Professional Center 23 52
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19 12
Brookline Bridge 52 26
Townsend, Ellen Ware Road 43 No Data Available
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102 * 1987*
So. Lndndry., Cobb’s swim hole 51 613 & 867*
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185 * No Data Available
Ball Mountain Brook
Jamaica Village 6 60
Williams River
Bartonsville Bridge 145 & 205 * 138*
Rainbow Rock, Chester 112 * 291*
Saxtons River
Bellows Falls “sandy beach” 65 210*
Saxtons River Center 54 145 & 179*
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Recreational Sites &
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30Milk House Meadows 36 & 40
Brattleboro Professional Center 23
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19
Brookline Bridge 52
Ellen Ware Road 43
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102
Cobb’s swim hole 51
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185
Ball Mountain BrookJamaica village 6
Williams RiverBartonsville bridge 145 & 205
Rainbow Rock 112
Saxtons RiverBellows Falls “sandy beach” 65
Saxtons River Center 54
2010 West River Watershed Alliance
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
are available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30Milk House Meadows 36 & 40
Brattleboro Professional Center 23
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19
Brookline Bridge 52
Ellen Ware Road 43
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102
Cobb’s swim hole 51
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185
Ball Mountain BrookJamaica village 6
Williams RiverBartonsville bridge 145 & 205
Rainbow Rock 112
Saxtons RiverBellows Falls “sandy beach” 65
Saxtons River Center 54
2010 West River Watershed Alliance
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
are available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Bugging OUT: Family Stream Adventure
The SeVWA has partnered with the Nature Museum at Grafton to offer two educational programs this spring and summer. Read below to see all that's coming up next and spread the word! Hope to see you there .. Rebecca
Bugging Out: Family Stream Adventure
When: Sat, June 26, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Grafton, VT (map)
Description:
Meet at the Nature Museum. $20/family (1a + 2k) $5/extra kid ...$10/extra adult. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA). Join Rebecca Salem of the SeVWA in this adventure for the whole family. This workshop will give participants the chance to learn about the water cycle and its relationship to the life cycles of dragonflies, mayflies, and other common insects. We will splash around in the stream near the Nature Museum looking under rocks and sifting through the stream bottom to find the many animals that live there. As we learn to identify what we find we will explore how these tiny creatures have adapted to survive in different types of streams and rivers. Be sure to bring a water bottle and sturdy shoes for walking in the stream. Please pre-register. 15 participants maximum.
Bugging Out: Family Stream Adventure
When: Sat, June 26, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Grafton, VT (map)
Description:
Meet at the Nature Museum. $20/family (1a + 2k) $5/extra kid ...$10/extra adult. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA). Join Rebecca Salem of the SeVWA in this adventure for the whole family. This workshop will give participants the chance to learn about the water cycle and its relationship to the life cycles of dragonflies, mayflies, and other common insects. We will splash around in the stream near the Nature Museum looking under rocks and sifting through the stream bottom to find the many animals that live there. As we learn to identify what we find we will explore how these tiny creatures have adapted to survive in different types of streams and rivers. Be sure to bring a water bottle and sturdy shoes for walking in the stream. Please pre-register. 15 participants maximum.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
