|
|
River History
The Neponset River, referred to by the Native
Americans inhabiting its lands as the Harvest River,
played a major role in the development of this
country.
As a "manageably sized" river located so
close to Boston, it attracted the New World's earliest
industries to harness its water
power. Israel Stoughton constructed the first dam on
the Neponset River in 1635. This is believed to have
been the 2nd dam constructed in the New World!
The falling waters of the Neponset provided the energy
for the country's first water-powered grist mill, gunpowder mill, and
paper mill, among
others.
|
With the
requirements of the expanding population, industry thrived
along the Neponset, and many textile, paper, and lumber
mills sprang up. It was not long before the river gained a
justly deserved reputation as highly polluted, with numerous
untreated sewage and industrial discharges fouling its
waters. Although the water quality problems were recognized
in the late 1750's, it was not until the passage of state
and federal legislation in the 1960's and 1970's that water
quality issues were more seriously addressed.
Today, the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century
mills have either closed, connected to the sewer system, or
installed waste treatment facilities. Great strides have
been made in the management of residential wastewater as
well. Today the majority of the river and its tributaries
meet state standards for swimming during dry weather. Learn
about the effects
of the remaining mill dams on the Neponset River and the
opportunities they present to restore the river.
While the Neponset River Watershed has experienced dramatic
improvements in water quality, "streamflow" or
water quantity has not received as much attention, and it
has become an issue of critical concern as communities
continue to divert more water from aquifers and the
river. The Neponset River Watershed
Association is working to change this situation!
|
