River herring are remarkable fish that are overlooked today for the important role they once played in the ecology and history of the Ipswich River. The once thriving herring run of the Ipswich has almost entirely disappeared due to overfishing, dams and low flows. The Ipswich River should be able to support a herring run if the right conditions are restored and with some intervention on our part. This is where our work begins.
Herring restoration is an important part of our clean water and restoration programs. For almost 20 years, the volunteer herring count at the Ipswich Mills Dam has been the main effort to monitor trends in the population of the few herring that do return. This began as a way to monitor restocking efforts directly in the river that proved unsuccessful. Restocking can work under the right conditions, so a few years ago, we began a process of evaluating Hood Pond in Topsfield and Ipswich as a suitable spawning area. With the help of volunteers, we have been collecting evidence on the water and habitat quality of the pond in the spring and summer to make sure water and habitat quality will support a spawning population of river herring.
Water quality conditions look promising and as long there is good passage from the route to Hood Pond from the Ipswich River and connecting streams, then restocking of the pond is a real possibility in the near future. Herring should imprint on the pond and return, leading to a more successful outcome than early attempts.
This work is a great example of how the clean water and restoration programs are working to make a difference for the future of the Ipswich River. By working with volunteers, agencies and communities to improve fish passage, restore flows and protect water quality, river herring will once again thrive. Join the effort by attending the upcoming herring count training on March 21st, 7-9pm at our Riverbend headquarters. Volunteers are trained on how to go about counting herring and the restoration program will be discussed. The volunteer performing the most counts receives the golden fish award! Please consider being part of the effort to restore river herring and their remarkable journey.
Our clean water program, which includes our herring restoration efforts, rely on funds raised through our annual Paddle-a-thon event. You can help support the program and a healthy Ipswich River by registering for Paddle-a-thon 2018, being held Saturday, June 16th.