Water, Water, Everywhere

By Beth Sullivan

It is official. What we all knew from observations, this has been the wettest winter on record. While I am truly glad we didn’t get all 9+inches of rain as snow this season, the water is challenging in many ways. Trails are wet or washed out. Work is delayed. But it is not all bad.

Overall, I think this will be a great spring for amphibians. All the vernal pools and transient wetlands are completely filled. The water table is high. With an upcoming spell of warming weather, we might actually experience a few tentative movements of early amphibians as they break hibernation and head toward these inviting waterways. Keep an eye open on a warm, rainy evening in the next several weeks. I heard wood-frogs and a peeper March 15.

I grew up with my shoes off and feet in the water as early as possible. I have a very early memory of catching a small turtle, newly out of hibernation, on an Easter Sunday morning. Needless to say I wasn’t dressed appropriately for wading. It remains one of my favorite memories.

We did get into the woods this week, inspecting an area where we need to remove an old bridge. Not only is it becoming unstable, it is also blocking the flow of the little stream it crosses. Last year there were spotted salamander eggs in there, so we want to do this as soon as possible so as not to disturb the process in a few weeks. I was quite surprised and upset to see a really large, bright green algae bloom throughout several of the pools. It seems too early for such growth. This area is not truly close to homes, but it is apparent that there is some nutrient getting into the ground water and supporting this growth. If it expands too much, or thickens up in the water, it may be impossible to support the amphibians intending to lay eggs there.

Natural wetlands along waterways filter runoff and pollutants

Early algae blooms are a sign of too much nitrogen in water from runoff or even in ground water.

The flooding waters have had some serious consequences.

Impaired waterway

We have to be aware of how our presence in one place, may have a big impact farther down stream, literally. For the last several years, Wequetequock Cove, in Stonington has been listed as an impaired waterway. Its prime source of water comes from the Anguilla Brook, which has its headwaters just over the line in North Stonington, and travels through Stonington to its outflow by Greenhaven Road. Those of us who live in town know how the cove looks during the summer, with huge mats of foul algae choking the cove. There may be no one specific cause, but rather a combination of them.

The Eastern CT Conservation District group (ECCD) is planning a study of the Anguilla Brook watershed to help determine the sources of pollution. They are teaming up with other local organizations, including Clean Up Sound and Harbor (CUSH), Save the Bay, and CT Sea Grant, as well as engaging educators and land owners including Avalonia Land Conservancy that owns and protects many properties along the waterway. Through this spring, teams will sample water at a number of places from headwaters to outflow, to try and pinpoint pollution sources. Along with this effort, a group is beginning to organize a clean-up at several sites along the brook. Maybe there will be answers, and maybe in a few years, there will be a turnaround in the water quality of the beautiful cove.

Aerial photograph of Wequetequock Cove. Area labeled Crowley is now preserved by Avalonia. DEEP Photo.

The headwaters of Anguilla Brook emerge from a lovely wetland near the North Stonington border.

Anguilla Brook runs through Stonington, and with an old dam removed here, it flows freely through a newly created wet meadow.

Some good news

On another front, there is good news: a bill has made it through Congress and has been signed into law, declaring the Wood /Pawcatuck River complex as “Wild and Scenic” . This designation is a testament to a lot of hard work over the years to remove dams, clean up polluted sites, and a lot of dedication by the people who love the river, on both sides of the border.

It is a time of water. Be careful on trails where water may have washed away footings or where rocks may be slippery. Please enjoy the running streams and the quiet pools. Take time to look closely. The wetlands are where spring really begins.

Vernal pools will soon teem with amphibians.

Photographs by Beth Sullivan, unless otherwise indicated.

This and That: Updates from the field and forest

By Beth Sullivan

We have all been working pretty hard over the last month: starting some projects, finishing others. I thought it might be fun for a little round up.

Anguilla Brook Bridge

Earlier in the year a team of Avalonia volunteers dismantled an unsafe and unstable old bridge across a marsh outflow. With patience and effort and a lot of team work, the project is now complete. The DEEP was able to deliver right to the crossing two long poles to span the gap. Set in place, they became the base. Our building team rolled them into the correct position, secured them, and then used old timbers to shore up and reinforce the banks from further erosion. With a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Stonington, we were able to purchase materials for the decking. In another effort, cedar trees that needed thinning from another preserve were cut, trimmed, and moved to this site to create a hand rail system. The bridge is sturdy, and safe, and beautiful! In the future, we will look into assistance and funding to have the marsh water levels studied and possibly a water control structure place in order to maintain the marsh at its most productive and beneficial for wildlife. Thanks to the many participants that made this happen.

DEEP donated and delivered the poles and set them in place.

Finished bridge over a portion of the Anguilla Brook and marsh.

The old bridge was dismantled in the Spring.

Knox Preserve

Many people have questioned all the orange flags and white pipes dotting some of the preserve areas. Those are test plots set up by a Trinity College professor and his undergrad team, who are studying invasive plants, how they are treated, how they respond to various treatments, and how regrowth occurs in different areas. While fighting invasives is a continuous battle to prevent them from taking over and degrading the natural habitats, allowing the study will hopefully give us some answers and insights on how to win the war!

The orange flags and poles mark test plots.

Fennerswood Walls

Several weeks ago we launched an effort to clear the walls of shrubbery and vines that obscured their beauty. When we discovered the walls were in disrepair and, in some cases, disappearing due to theft of rocks, we embarked on a low-key local campaign to raise funds for restoration. With amazing generosity from a few early donors, we were able to actually begin work already by hiring a duo of skilled stone workers with talent and strong backs. In another interesting irony, these two young men have been questioned by neighbors, travelers, and police-all of whom fear they are removing rocks! We are truly grateful to all of those who are keeping an eye on our properties. The police now know what is happening and can field the many questions and reports. Please continue to keep an eye on these walls; watch them rise to line North Main Street, thank the fellows doing the work, and feel free to join our effort to fund the entire project!

A finished section of wall along North Main Street.

If you see these two along North Main Street- they're with us!

Photographs by Beth Sullivan.

It takes a team

By Beth Sullivan

Sometimes when a property is acquired, it comes with structures in place, and sometimes issues come right along with them!

The Anguilla Brook is a lovely, long, clear running waterway. It has its origins up near the North Stonington Town line and winds its way through Pawcatuck. Portions of its path are protected by concerned and caring private owners. After it flows under Route 1 in Pawcatuck it winds behind what is referred to as Birdland-a neighborhood of bird-named streets. Several years ago, Avalonia acquired a tract of land now referred to as the Anguilla Brook Preserve-Birdland tract. Access is difficult, technically only a right of way along the railroad tracks off Green Haven Road-not the safest or easiest way in. In a special agreement with some private landowners, we are able to get in more easily when we need to do our annual reviews and posting.

We discovered it is quite a lovely and extensive wetland area that spreads out and beyond the actual brook. There were trails established throughout the area utilized by local residents and kids taking short cuts. What we also discovered was an aging and quite unstable bridge crossing a branch of the brook. It was quite obvious that kids likely rode bikes through there, and it was also obvious that it was an accident waiting to happen.

The bridge was deemed unsafe.

Debris blocked the flow and the railroad ties were rotted.

We made it a priority to get in and remove the bridge with the hopes of replacing it as soon as possible. However, the demolition and removal was going to be quite an undertaking! The span was more than 20 feet across, and over the years, banks had eroded. It was originally made with a stacked base of railroad ties that were now soaked and rotting. The whole thing needed to be dismantled.

Thanks to Yankee ingenuity, good heads, and team work, a posse of stewards took on the bridge last week. Five members of the Stonington Town Committee got to work; two spearheaded the effort and hatched the plan-complete with crowbars, pulleys, block and tackle, lots of strong rope, and a pick up truck! Two more donned boots to wade into the water to attack the base, and another hauled pieces out and up the trail.

The decking was removed.

Some of the decking was saved for use as wet trail crossing with the help of a pickup.

The decking was removed, and a large portion of it was cut and recycled to make ground level wetlands crossings on other preserves. The pieces were towed, like a big sled, out to the trail where they were stacked into trucks. Huge spikes were pulled from the railroad ties, and were left to line the trail. Maybe they will be moved when they dry and are lighter…or maybe not! The debris blocking the flow was cleared and rocks were set into place to protect the banks from further erosion. There are still some ties left in place to maintain the water level in the pond. Rock hopping will easily get you across the brook. We marked the trail with caution tape and left ties blocking the path, lest someone go biking along expecting a bridge!

Caution tape, signs, and trail barriers warn bikes that the bridge is out.

The brook can now flow freely yet can still be crossed on foot.

We are waiting for some long poles promised to us by our DEEP connections. That may be a while as this is busy season for all DEEP workers.

The water flows nicely now. We no longer worry that the bridge will break under the weight of a person or a bike. We still can’t get into the preserve easily; it will remain remote. We are very grateful for those land owners who allowed us to move our equipment through their roadway to access the site.

It takes a lot of cooperation to undertake such an effort. We will let you know when the bridge goes in. Thanks to all!

Photographs by Beth Sullivan and Binti Ackley.