YOU are invited! - December 16, 2013

VRAP Sampling - July 20, 2011

Ten newly trained citizen scientist volunteers began collecting water samples and testing for potential problems in the Winnicut River and some of its tributaries early Wednesday morning, starting with an area in North Hampton where the Winnicut River primarily begins (near the former town dump on South Rd...site '21-WNC' on the 'Sampling Stations' map at end of this post).

Using special meters to gauge the level of the river's health, volunteers tested for conditions such as turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and specific conductance--all of which are described in the article "...Water Quality Parameters..." under the heading 'Pages' in the right-hand column.  At several sites bacteria (E. coli) and nutrient samples (nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorides) were also collected, which were delivered to a state laboratory for analysis immediately following the morning's end.  All results will be made available as soon as the sampling season is complete, some time in late October.

The WRWC will conduct this sampling regime next spring and summer as well, thereby increasing the amount of relevant information available to local, state and federal governments for making smarter land-use decisions and planning better protection of our river and streams.  In turn, these steps can improve community vitality (not to mention improve wildlife habitat!).

These volunteers are making a difference!  Left to right: Nate Hazen (Greenland), Kathy Grant (No. Hampton), Lisa Tutinas (No. Hampton), Brenda Tharp (No. Hampton) and Wendy Crowley (No. Hampton) begin reviewing sampling protocols at the day's first sampling site.

We welcome youths!  Junior High School student Petras Tutinas (No. Hampton) "grabs" the first sample of the day at a culvert crossing just west of North Hampton's former town dump.  Volunteer Danna Truslow (Rye), a surface water and groundwater hydrologist by trade, looks on.

Attention to detail is a must!  Nate, Brenda and Petras conduct a pH measurement at the first sampling site, while WRWC Project Director Jean Eno follows up on meter protocols.

Winnicut Coalition to Conduct Water Quality Monitoring

In addition to the critical grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to form the Winnicut River Watershed Coalition, and a generous grant from the Fuller Foundation to assist work in the towns within the Winnicut River watershed, the WRWC has just received a substantial grant from the New Hampshire Coastal Program to conduct some great work. Our press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2011

Contact: Jean Eno, Winnicut Project Director, New Hampshire Rivers Council, at 603-431-7009

Local Coalition Receives Funding for Water Quality Testing

North Hampton, Stratham, Greenland Communities to Benefit

Greenland, NH — The Winnicut River Watershed Coalition, an initiative of the New Hampshire Rivers Council, has received a two-year grant from the New Hampshire Coastal Program at the Department of Environmental Services to conduct water quality and biological monitoring on the Winnicut River and its tributaries in the towns of North Hampton, Stratham, and Greenland, NH, beginning in June, 2011.

Several sections of the Winnicut River are affected by one or more pollutants that impact swimming, fishing and boating, as well as, aquatic wildlife habitat. At as many as twelve sites, testing will be conducted for nitrogen, harmful bacteria, and water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and pH (acidity). The Winnicut River is the only main tributary unimpeded by dams
that flows directly to Great Bay.

“With a larger snapshot of the river’s condition throughout the watershed—the area of land that drains to the Winnicut—we hope to gain a greater understanding of the local impacts of stormwater runoff, which in turn will allow us to provide even greater water quality education and outreach to our citizens,” said Jean Eno, Winnicut Project Director.

“Ultimately, people and wildlife need and benefit from the Winnicut and Great Bay being clean and healthy,” said Michele L. Tremblay, President, New Hampshire Rivers Council. “Our state’s economy and the health of its people depend on it, and involving citizens in these initiatives is cost effective and creates long lasting results.”

Those interested in volunteering should contact Jean Eno at jeno@nhrivers.org. Further information can be found online at www.nhrivers.org.

Grant funding was provided by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act in conjunction with the N.H. Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program.

Trail Walking Within the Winnicut River Watershed

NOW'S the time to get out and see spring coming to life at the Weeks Brick House conservation trails. Turkeys are strutting, fox are hunting small prey to feed their kits, the earliest of migratory birds are appearing...and if you look hard, you may even see trout lilies emerging up from the earth underneath the hardwoods!

Click here to view the Weeks Brick House trail map online

STRATHAM hosts wonderful trails at the Stratham Hill Park area, a fun place to take the family, including the family dog (please remember the 'leave no trace' concept and bring dog poop baggies!). On clear, sunny days, you can see the peak of Mount Washington! Dare to climb the fire tower!

Click here to view the Stratham Hill Park trail map online

LASTLY, behind the North Hampton Elementary School on Atlantic Ave., there is a fanstastic network of nature trails that allows users access to many wonderful aspects of the Little River watershed (an adjoining watershed to the Winnicut's): from owl habitat in the uplands where there are gorgeous red pines, to wetland pools, and eventually to an extensive marshland...beautiful stuff.  Mike Caron, an Enrichment Coordinator at the school, has been instrumental in developing the trails and a unique nature program, and has a wonderful vision for implementing learning platforms to accomodate the inquisitive minds that utilize the trail network (in the past the trails were maintained by the North Hampton School students as part of their service learning component).  The public is allowed access to this school property dawn to dusk during non school hours.  There isn't a map, per se, for the trail system, so you'll need to rely on a compass and your smarts:  From behind the school, head to the northwest corner of the fields (diagonally to your left as you stand behind the school, with your back against the building where the swings are).  There you will find the entrance to the trails.  To see a map of North Hampton's conservation lands, including the Little River area that these trails fall within, click here (pdf - large file).

Happy trails!  Don't forget your binoculars, and don't forget to wear your Bean boots - it's mucky out there in some of those parts!

Public Meeting Presentation Sept. 2010

Click on the 'Full Screen' option for best viewing. 


WRWC_Public_Sept2010.ppt

WRWC Kick-off Event A Success!

More than 50 people from local communities, organizations and groups participated in the Winnicut River Watershed Coalition's first outreach event on Saturday, May 15, 2010.

While the wind tried hard to dampen spirits, it was an enjoyable, social afternoon with much networking.  Many thanks to the following exhibitors for participating in this successful first event:

Joshua Cline, NH Rivers Council

Amanda Nelson, Weeks Brick House

Jean Eno, Greenland Conservation Commission

NH DOT Stormwater Pollution Outreach Program

Great Bay Stewards

Cheri Patterson, NH Fish & Game

Rick Mauer & sons, and Barry Gendron, Boy Scout Troop 158

Artist Hal Kirby

Artist Anthony D'Allesandro

Greg Tillman, NH Audubon (riverwalk guide)

NH Coastal Protection Partnership

Eco Movement Consulting

Thanks to the following individuals for their contributions to our raffle, and congratulations to their winners:

Suds N' Soda Sports Outlet: rod & reel, $60 value - Anthony D'Allesandro

Photographer Ann Reid: photograph of "Horseshoe Crabs," $85 value - John Meyer

Artist Hal Kirby: pastel print of "Old Ironsides," $30 value - Gordon Hislop
                          pastel print of "Prescott Park Fountains," $40 value - Bill Bilodeau

Artist Anthony D'Allesandro: pastel print of "Marsh at Sunset," $90 value - Tim Farrell

Big thanks to the following individuals for their help, without which things would have been a lot more hectic:

Paul Eno - parking, and pre/post grunt work

Tim Farrell & Friends - grilling, food delivery

Chip Hussey -  post grunt work

Joshua Cline, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Rivers Council, addresses participants at the Winnicut River Watershed Coalition kick-off event held at the Weeks Brick House in Greenland, NH