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Ongoing ActivitiesSpring Planting Etc. - Saturday
April 28 Upcoming Meeting Dates and Locations Reservoir 2013 Calendar Project
Reservoir Fall Planting - Saturday
September 10
Aquatic Weed Harvesting at the
Reservoir - Saturday Aug 6 The Arlington Reservoir has become infested
with a number of invasive aquatic plants: water chestnuts, Eurasian watermilfoil,
curlyleaf pondweed and coontail. The most problematic of these are the water
chestnuts (Trapa natans) which in addition to covering much of the surface of
the water with an impenetrable growth produce obnoxious floating seeds with
vicious spikes. Reservoir Wildlife Habitat
Garden - Mulching and Planting Day Saturday May 28 We also plan to put in some more plants (probably in the Fall) and would like to encourage donations of appropriate native plants. See the recommended list below. The Vision 2020 Reservoir Committee has already spent a lot of money on soil, plants and erosion controls. We also need to raise about $1100 for materials for the water line. So we welcome financial contributions (which are tax deductable) to keep us going. Send them to the Arlington Land Trust, P.O. Box 492, Arlington, Massachusetts, 02476 and mark them for the Reservoir Garden. Website: http://www.arlingtonlandtrust.org/ Recommended List for Donated
Plants
We are interested in other plants, so please call Jim Marzilli at 781-641-2334 if you have others that you think might be of interest. At the end of this paragraph is a nice little web site for other plants that may be of use but some listed plants have cultivation requirements that our site cannot meet. The list also has flaws in scientific nomenclature on what they call "purple butterfly weed" and "purple Joe-Pye weed" so tread carefully if you work from this list. Some shrubs would also be of high interest but please call me before bringing them. http://www.projectnative.org/HerbaceousPerrennials.php And if you want lots of technical info, I always recommend the New England Wild Flower Society www.newfs.org From Jim Marzilli jim@marzilli.org Reservoir Wildlife Habitat
Garden - Planting Day Saturday April 30 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. This Spring that will change with a planting of a wildlife habitat garden along both sides of the new spillway. The northeastern side will be a more woody place, while the other side will be a sunny meadow garden. Work has already begun with the assistance of Arlington’s Department of Public Works, but the planning and planting is being done by volunteers. A volunteer planting date is set for Saturday April 30. We plan to start at 9 AM at the site of the new spillway next to Hurd field. Work will probably continue through mid afternoon, so come later if you like. Please bring shovels, trowels, rakes and gloves. We will also need a few wheelbarrows. For further information and updates email us at ReservoirGarden@reuse.com The habitat garden plans are moving forward and have been
approved by the
Conservation Commission. The
application and plans are available
here as a PDF.
Site preparation and planting are planned for May and June. 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. There are several major pending issues with the Reservoir:
·
The state
Department of Environmental Management (DEM), concerned about dam safety, has
recommended that the town cut down all vegetation along the Reservoir's earthen
dam. The work that is proposed has
the potential to impact the beach area, as well. The Town is working with a consultant to determine the best
option for ensuring dam safety while minimizing destruction to the natural
surroundings.
·
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. |
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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. | |||
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