I. Introduction
The Piscataquog River consists of three branches: South, Middle and North. The three branches run through the communities of Deering, Francestown, Lyndeborough, New Boston, Weare, Goffstown and Manchester. All three branches have been nominated by the Piscataquog Watershed Association for designation info the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program. The Piscataquog River has been evaluated by the Department of Environmental Services and found to qualify for the designation.
The Rivers Management and Protection Program Act was passed by the General Court in 1988. The Act states in part: "It is the policy of the state to ensure the continued viability of New Hampshire rivers for the benefit of present and future generations. The state shall encourage and assist in the development of river corridor management plans and regulate the quantity and quality of in-stream flow along certain protected rivers or segments of rivers to conserve and protect outstanding characteristics including recreational, fisheries, wildlife, environmental, cultural, historical, archaeological, scientific, ecological, and community significance so that these valued characteristics shall endure as part of the river uses to be enjoyed by the New Hampshire people."
The Act directs the Department of Environmental Services to receive and evaluate nominations for the designation of rivers or river segments to protect outstanding values and characteristics under the Rivers Management and Protection Program. The Commissioner must forward approved nominations to the General Court for review and approval.
In fulfillment of this statutory directive, the nomination of the Piscataquog River is hereby forwarded to the General Court. The Department of Environmental Services recommends that the Piscataquog River be designated into the Rivers Management and Protection Program. The following three sections are recommended to be classified a "natural river": from the Deering Dam to Abijah Bridge on the North Branch, from the outlets of Scobie Pond to the mouth of the Middle Branch, and from the outlet of Pleasant Pond to NH Highway Route 13 on the South Branch. The river is recommended to be classified a "rural river" as follows: from the outlet of Lake Horace Dam to the Everett Dam flowage on the North Branch, from the outlet of Everett Dam to the mouth of the North Branch, and from the NH Highway Route 13 to the mouth of the South Branch. The "rural-community" classification is recommended from the confluence with the North Branch to the confluence with the Merrimack River. The outstanding values and characteristics which qualify the Piscataquog River for designation are described in this report.