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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/41426| Title: | Assabet River Sediment and Dam Removal Study : Modeling Report |
| Authors: | Camp, Dresser & McKee. |
| Keywords: | Assabet River (Mass.) Dam retirement Sedimentation and deposition Sediment transport Stream restoration Environmental management Environmental protection |
| Publisher: | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. New England District. |
| Abstract: | Phosphorus concentrations in the Assabet River, located approximately 20 miles west of Boston, MA, are causing excessive production of floating and rooted aquatic macrophytes. Phosphorus loadings originate from both non-point sources and point sources such as Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) approved a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that requires reductions of phosphorous loadings from the WWTFs that discharge to the river and a 90 percent reduction in sediment phosphorous load in order to achieve water quality compliance. The purpose of the Assabet River Sediment and Dam Removal study is to achieve water quality compliance and a sustainable and restored aquatic ecosystem. The study involves identifying and assessing alternatives for reducing internal phosphorus recycling from sediments through sediment removal, sediment treatment, or dam removal. Six dams were evaluated for sediment and/or dam removal in this study. USACE contracted with CDM to perform data collection and modeling tasks in order to assess alternatives such as sediment removal and dam removal. The modeling efforts included evaluating changes in water surface, downstream movement of sediment behind the dam, and changes in water quality due to changes in sediment phosphorus release rates and hydraulic changes for various sediment and dam removal alternatives. Results of this study suggest that the most beneficial water quality improvements to the Assabet River can be achieved through planned WWTF improvements, dam removal, and consideration of lower winter effluent limits than currently planned. |
| Description: | Modeling Report |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/11681/41426 |
| Size: | 636 pages / 11.83 MB |
| Types of Materials: | |
| Appears in Collections: | Environmental Documents |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assabet River Modeling Report_2008.pdf | 11.83 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |