The rivers need a certain amount of water, or flow, in order to support aquatic life, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Precipitation, both rain and snow, help 'feed' the stream flow during much of the year. However, at dry times of the year, especially in the summer and early fall, river flow is supplied by groundwater stored in aquifers.

In the metrowest area of Boston, there are strong development pressures and significant growth. This growth has atleast two effects on the aquifers and consequently the rivers. First, more of the land is covered with pavement and buildings which inhibit rain waters from percolating into the groundwater and recharging the aquifers. Second, the increased growth places increased demand on water supplies -- much of which is pumped from groundwater wells. Ultimately, the aquifers become depleted and are unable to provide adequate flow to the rivers.

In recent years, low river flow has been evident in the headwaters of the Sudbury River and tributaries of the Assabet River. Anecdotal information infers that the low flows are caused by less water in the aquifer, although this will not be verified until scientific studies are completed.

On the Assabet River, OAR has initiated, Streamwatch, a program to monitor the tributaries of the Assabet River to determine what happens to water levels during the year and what the impacts are on fish and habitat. For more information click on here.

On the Sudbury River, the United States Geological Survey has begun to study the water flow in the headwaters in order to develop a model which will simulate water behavior, so that alternative water management scenarios may be evaluated. For more information click on http://www.sudburyriver.org/id16.html.

The RSC provides funding support to local organizations working on these flow issues. In addition, the RSC promotes the use of low impact development techniques in any new project proposals that may affect the river. Low Impact Development is an approach to environmentally friendly land use planning. It includes a suite of landscaping and design techniques that attempt to maintain the natural, pre-developed ability of a site to manage rainfall. LID techniques capture water on site, filter it through vegetation, and let it soak into the ground where it can recharge the local water table rather than being lost as surface runoff. For more information on LID, click on here.

Most residents of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord watershed are connected to public water supplies. It is the cumulative effect of each homeowner's water use that results in the growing demand for water, and increased pumping of ground water from water supply wells. Did you know that landscaping is by far the largest water consumer in the home, and in many cases lawn watering uses public water supplies? Most of this water does not return to the groundwater, as many may think, but is consumed by the grasses and/or evaporates to the atmosphere.

Massachusetts DEP has recently issued new guidelines to public water suppliers intended to reduce the amount of water used by residents and limit non-essential uses, such as lawn watering, in the summer. The guidelines will require residential water use to be no more than an average of 65 gallons per person per day -- many of the wild and scenic shoreline communities have average water use rates between 75 and 85 gallons per capita per day (in 2006). The new policy also suggests a ratio of summer and winter water use -- an effort to decrease the amount of water used for lawn watering in the summer.

The RSC has initiated an education campaign to alert the public to the connection between water use, the impacts on our rivers and what individuals can do to make a difference. The effort highlights 'water-wise' lawn care methods, as well as other changes individuals can make in their homes to reduce water use. To learn more about lawn care click on LAWN CARE SECTION. Many communities are proactively addressing this issue as well -- visit http://www.concordnet.org/dpw/index.html for extensive information for homeowners. This website also includes a program to help individuals estimate their water use.

These issues are not unique to the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord River; they are becoming more significant on many of the rivers in Massachusetts, especially those in the eastern part of the State. A number of organizations are creating and compiling resources to help address these issues.

• Massachusetts Audubon Society has created a river toolkit which can be viewed at http://www.massaudubon.org/rivers/index.php
• The Massachusetts Riverways Programs has developed the pilot River Instream Flow Stewards (RIFLS) to help local groups identify, document and restore rivers and streams suffering from abnormally low flows. Through this process, citizens and local officials will learn about the importance of healthy streamflow, work together to restore more natural flow regimes, and establish high quality streamflow data records for local, regional and state uses. For more information, please visit the RIFLS web page.
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs has developed a Smart Growth Tool Kit. Smart growth techniques support well-planned development that protects open space and farmland, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable and provides more transportation choices. For more information please click on http://www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/.

What you can do to help?

• Calculate how much water you use in your home. How close are you to 65 gallons per person per day that the State recommends? Visit CONCORD WEBSITE to help determine how much you use.
• Calculate the difference between your summer and winter water use. This will help to estimate how much water you use on your lawn and garden. Lawn watering is the largest use of .Visit the LAWN SECTION to learn many ways to minimize water use on your lawn.
• Minimize the amount of lawn in your yard. Utilize native plants and xeroscaping techiniques. See some example garden templates at http://www.concordnet.org/dpw/index/html
• Install water saving devices in your home, including low flow showerheads, low flow toilets, rain barrels and cisterns.