|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ongoing Activities2013 Reservoir Workdays
For more information call Martine at 781-641-2376. Reservoir Committee Meetings
Arlington Vision 2020 Annual Report for 2012 A new project this year was the Arlington Reservoir Calendar for 2013, with pictures from around the Res throughout the seasons. We solicited photos from people on the Reservoir email list and from members of the Menotomy Bird Club. We received over 200 picture submissions, and a subcommittee made the selections and put the calendar together. It was printed in September before Town Day, where we sold over forty copies. It was also carried at a number of local stores and turned into a year-end sellout. Special thanks go to Arlington Swifty Printing and Firefly Moon for supporting our sales efforts. In addition to increasing awareness about the Res, we expect to net over $500 from the sales for our future projects. The garden is a special place for our entire community. We welcome schools, recreational groups, and others to participate in its growth and maintenance. In the near future, we would like to involve the AHS Community Service Program, the boy and girl scouts, and schools. More information about this project, along with photos, can be found at the Reservoir website: http://www.arlington2020.org/reservoir/ Another major activity at the Res this summer was the second consecutive year of harvesting and removing the invasive water chestnuts that covered much of the water surface. Aquatic Control Technologies, with the support of the Department of Public Works (DPW), performed this work. In future years, the volume of weeds should be less because this process removes the seeds that produce new plants. This work was funded by the Arlington Waterbodies Fund, as approved by Town Meeting. Other activities performed by the Arlington Reservoir Committee included trash pickup and remediation work on the landscape island at the east end of the parking lot. Garden activities will continue through 2013, and we hope to do more in other areas around the Reservoir to control some of the invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed and to improve the trails. More information is available at our website, and we welcome anyone who would like to help. Reservoir 2013 Calendar Project
The Arlington Reservoir Dam project was completed in 2006 which greatly improved the safety of the previous structure. In the following year a number of trees were planted to replace those that were lost. However parts of the area still look a bit barren, especially next to the new emergency spillway. Reservoir Wildlife Habitat Garden Frequently Asked Questions Boating - Non-motorized boating is permitted on all of the town's water bodies. Canoes/Kayaks are allowed on the Res. There's even a "put in" point just past the vehicle gate as you head toward the new spillway bridge from the Lowell St. entrance. Parking - The parking lots off Lowell Street are available year around. Another access point is from Hurd Field lot (behind Trader Joes) and then a short walk across the field to the Res. Swimming - Swimming is permitted at the Res Beach area during open hours in the Summer. Issues and BackgroundThe 65 acre Reservoir area (the 'Res') in northwest Arlington Massachusetts on the border with Lexington contains the second largest body of water in the town (28 acres). It is a man-made pond originally constructed in 1871 by damming Munroe Brook that flows from Lexington. The dam is an earthen embankment along the southern edge of the Reservoir some 600 yards long and as high as 14 feet (although the water level is much lower). The Reservoir discharges into Mill Brook that flows through Arlington and empties into the Lower Mystic Lake which then feeds the Mystic River. The Res was used as a town water supply until Arlington joined the Metropolitan Water District in 1899.For years the Reservoir served as a popular summer swimming hole until the water quality started to deteriorate. In 1981 a separate swimming area was constructed along the northern side of the Reservoir with filtered water and a sandy beach. The Reservoir is also a popular walking and bird watching spot the year round. In 2006 an emergency spillway was added and the earthen berm reinforced with metal sheeting and concrete. See Dam Project Handout There are several pending issues with the Reservoir:
·
The
Reservoir is heavily infested with water chestnuts that are choking out all
other growth and degrading the habitat for birds and fish.
In recent years, through manually and machine harvesting efforts the
number of weeds has been reduced, and it is hoped that they will be eliminated
completely.
·
The
results of a town wide survey indicate resident concerns about safety,
recreational improvements needed and wildlife habitat maintenance. · Mill Brook, which is partially fed from the Reservoir, is often flooded in heavy rains. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The Reservoir Committee of the Vision 2020 Environmental Task Group is a group of concerned citizens working to solve the Reservoir's problems. We have monthly meetings. Anyone with an interest in the Reservoir is welcome to participate. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Site updated on 06/10/2013 - Webmaster is David E. White -> Email |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We welcome public use and dissemination of the information from this site. Although we believe the information here to be correct, we disclaim legal responsibility for any inaccuracies that might exist. Content material is the copyright of the respective authors. Website design is the copyright of the webmaster. t |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
