Recent Results
| Project | Year(s) | Focus | Data |
| Detailed Stream Monitoring Data | 2023-2025 | Clear and consistent fresh water monitoring over time | Complete Data Spreadsheet |
| Summary of Saltwater and Freshwater Results | 2022- 2025 | Water Quality Analysis | Summary Chart |
| Informative report on our 2023 tributary study by Mark Whiting | 2023 | Water Quality Analysis |
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The Taunton Bay watershed network is connected to the bay by several streams reaching from south of Webb Pond in the west, and Donnell and Fox Ponds in the east. The fresh waters from the watershed bring nutrients to the bay, but may also bring bacteria, possibly harmful chemicals, and pollutants that affect the water quality of the bay. Clean water in the streams and bay supports the many fisheries our area depends on: shellfish harvesting (clams, lobsters, and crabs), sea-run (diadromous) fish harvesting (elvers, alewives, and river herring), oyster aquaculture, and seaweed harvesting.
From early April after the snow melt until October, we monitor the seven tributary streams of Taunton Bay: Egypt, (Grist) Mill, Card Mill Streams, Springer Creek, and West, Mill, Higgs, and Scotts Brooks (see map below). We assess the same environmental and chemical indicators that we study in the bay, plus E. coli, coliforms, and PFAS. These include: temperature, water clarity, dissolved oxygen, pH (alkalinity); and laboratory analysis of +/-17 indicators of pollution (bacteria, nitrites and nitrates, heavy metals and others). We repeat these measures several times during the season to capture changes following major rain events and dry spells (after more than eight consecutive rain-free days).
Map of Streams Monitored in 2024-present
Result Trends 2022-2025
Some patterns are beginning to emerge with the data collected since 2022:
- Turbidity (cloudiness) is generally good with some color.
- pH is slightly acidic (5-7) as expected in Maine streams with variations due to flow and time of year.
- Temperature varies with the seasons from 35-40° F in the spring to a high of mid 70’s in August.
- Conductivity, which indicates the amount of ions (dissolved minerals and salts), is typically below 100 µS/cm* with the majority of readings between 20-50 µS which is common for streams.
- Dissolved oxygen varies amongst the streams rated good to poor (in Scotts Brook) for supporting fish life.
- Bacteria counts start to rise with higher water temperatures. Counts are also impacted by rainfall that flush animal waste into the streams. During peak months:
- Total coliforms are usually high, >2419 MPN/100 ml**
- Fecal E. coli is almost always present May- October with the highest numbers seen June-August.
- Stream samples were sent to the University of New Hampshire in 2024 for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to determine the source of the E. coli- animal or human. Two streams, Higgs Brook and Scotts Brook, tested positive for human E. coli in July. All samples in October were negative for human E. coli.
- So, what impact does the bacteria in the streams have on the water quality in the bay? The picture is still emerging but indications are that the dilution from tide changes combined with UV light keep E. coli counts low. Hog Bay, where water turn-over is low, showed the highest counts followed by the CCAR inlet.
PFAS
Results by Stream, 2024
Card Mill Stream
All pH observations for 2024 were too low for Atlantic salmon conservation (the EPA recommended range is 6.5-8.5 for salmon conservation, to protect sensitive aquatic life, and to protect Native American treaty fishing rights). The observed range was 4.85-6.34 with an average pH of 5.65. This is low even for brook trout conservation (recommended pH range 5.8-8.5). Specific conductance was also low
(Taunton Bay tributary average is 60 uS) indicating dilute water that is low in minerals (and nutrients). Dissolved oxygen levels are good all year (DEP water quality criteria are DO should be greater than 7 mg/L or 75% saturation for Class A and B waters). Water temperatures are cold year-round.
Egypt Stream
Observed water pH was also low for the Egypt Stream, but was somewhat better than the Card Mill Stream. The pH range for Egypt Stream was 5.32-6.69 with an average of 5.92. Salmon would not grow well here, and this stream does support brook trout, but would not be considered good enough for trout conservation. Egypt has the darkest water, almost coffee colored. Specific conductance is especially low.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations are generally good, but was low in October, just under the state standard of 7 mg/L. This might have been due to low flows and relatively high temperatures (nearly 19?).
Grist Mill Stream
Grist Mill Stream has a higher average pH of 6.42, very close to the minimum recommended value for salmon. This stream has a pH range (6.09-7.01) that would be favorable for brook trout and some of the more pH-tolerant minnows (blacknose dace and creek chub). Grist Mill Stream tends to be warm, at the upper edge of what is acceptable for cold water fish species (a temperature of 22.8? is a stress threshold where many cold water fish stop feeding). Fortunately, streams tend to cool off at night, allowing fish to return to the daytime warm spots. Grist Mill Stream has an average specific conductance for Taunton Bay tributaries.
Higgs Brook
Higgs Brook is our name for a stream that flows under the Higgs Road in Sullivan. It has mostly good pH with an average of 6.46 and a range of 5.66-7.01. A single low value pulls the average down. Higgs would support brook trout, pH-tolerant minnows, and other tolerant species. Higgs is darkly colored like tea and is warm (but cooler than Grist Mill Stream). Dissolved oxygen values are mainly good, except for a single low value in March (possibly due to partial anoxia under winter ice in the upstream marsh).
Scott’s Brook
Like most of these streams, Scott’s Brook has a fairly low pH with an average of 6.51 and a range of 5.83-7.20. The pH would be good for brook trout and other tolerant fish species. Specific conductance is moderate with some high values in May and June. Sometimes this is due to road salt. The sample site is above the head of tide. Water temperatures were warm with a seasonal high of 24?.
Dissolved oxygen levels are poor year-round (average of 3.04 mg/L). Low oxygen is often due to an upstream marsh habitat with slow, shallow water and lots of microbial activity on organic sediments.
Springer Brook
Springer Brook only has 3 reliable pH observations ranging from 5.09-6.99, the largest pH range. Specific conductance is low except for one very high value (a misreading?). This stream has reliably cold water.
West Brook
West Brook is new this year, with only 2 observations. There is not enough data for reliable conclusions. It is apparently acidic even during summer low flows. Specific conductance is apparently average for the area, and water temperatures may be reliably cold.
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