The Westport River Watershed encompasses parts of Westport, Dartmouth, Fall River, and Freetown in Massachusetts, and Tiverton and Little Compton in Rhode Island. Eighty-five percent of the watershed’s landmass drains into the two branches, East and West, of the Westport River. The river is comprised of two major drowned river estuaries that are connected to Buzzards Bay tidal waters by a single inlet. The Westport River is one of the Commonwealth’s greatest coastal assets in both habitat quality and scenic beauty. Nutrient loading and pathogen contamination are major water quality concerns, particularly in the upper reaches of the 35 mile shoreline.
WRWA is active in protecting this regions natural resources. To do this, we have three areas of focus:
1. Water Resources Assessment –
Goal: WRWA will strive to increase awareness and understanding among our citizens, communities and leaders of human impacts on water resources and encourage individual and collective responsibility for our environment. We need to know the condition of our local waters.
Monitoring the chemical, physical, and/or biological characteristics of water with respect to its suitability for a particular use. Inclusive of river and streams, stormwater and groundwater.
- Bacteria (Pathogen Indicator) Monitoring
- Nutrient Pollution Monitoring
- Biological indicator Monitoring and/or research (i.e. eelgrass)
2. Water Resources Remediation and Restoration –
Goal: WRWA will research and develop and complete structural projects or best management practices that restore habitats or remediate pollution affecting water resources in the watershed. We need to promote projects that help the local public understand where their water comes from, what pollution threats may threaten local water resources, and how water withdrawals from groundwater and surface water may affect wetlands and river habitat.
Research and development of structural projects or best management practices that restore habitats or remediate pollution affecting water resources in the watershed.
3. Water Resources Advocacy–
Goal: Create and reinforce an ethic of individual responsibility and stewardship to effect positive change. Represent local environmental perspectives and impress them on public and private decision makers. Promote a watershed approach to resource management for the Westport River watershed by pursuing and strengthening cooperation and communication with watershed towns and residents.
Create and reinforce an ethic of individual responsibility and stewardship essential to effecting positive change. Represent local environmental perspectives and compel the public and private decision makers. This focus might encompass community, legal, and legislative aspects. Promote a watershed approach to resource management for the Westport River watershed by pursuing and strengthening cooperation and communication with watershed towns and residents.
The Westport River Watershed
The Westport River Watershed in southeastern Massachusetts approximately 50,000 acres, includes portions of Westport, Dartmouth, Fall River, and Freetown in Massachusetts, and Tiverton and Little Compton, in Rhode Island.