II. The Piscataquog River Nomination
The Piscataquog River is predominantly a quiet stream with a total length of 136 miles. Much of the land along the river is protected and open to the public, providing multi-recreational and educational use. Large tracts of forest are carefully managed for both timber production and protection of natural habitat.
Today the river offers a multitude of values to New Hampshire's southern populations. During the spring high waters, the river is used for canoeing and kayaking. The summer offers fishing along the private pools and deep forest-lined stretches of ripples. Scores of historical sites echoing early colonial commerce line its riverbanks. The Piscataquog is free-flowing for 95 percent of its length, a claim few streams can make.
B. River Values and Characteristics
The Rivers Management and Protection Program Act (RSA Ch. 483) lists nine river values and characteristics which may qualify a river for designation into the program. The Piscataquog River supports many of these natural, managed, cultural, and recreational resource values at a level of either statewide or local significance. The resources which qualify the Piscataquog River for designation include geological resources; wildlife, plant and fish resources; water quality; open space protection; natural flow and impoundment; withdrawals and discharges; community and recreational resources; scenic resources; and historic and archaeological resources.
a. Geological Resources: The Piscataquog is rich in geologic formations. Most notably is an esker train along the South Branch which runs four miles along the river. Others include glacial kettles, a gorge on the Lyndeborough/New Boston town line, and "the plains," a glacial deposit of sand and gravel which may have been the site of New Boston's first settlement. There is also an ever-running natural spring southeast of the Lyndeborough/New Boston town line.
b. Wildlife and Plant Resources: The Piscataquog River supports diverse habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and plant species, including endangered and threatened species. Birds observed in the Piscataquog Watershed on the state endangered species list include the pie-billed grebe and the peregrine falcon. Those on the threatened species list include the common loon, osprey, northern harrier, cooper's hawk, and the common nighthawk. In addition to a multitude of mammals living in the watershed, several species of reptiles of special concern have been observed there. They are the eastern hognose snake, blanding's turtle, eastern box turtle, and the spotted turtle. Wildflowers deserving special protection that are now surviving within the Piscataquog Watershed include the small spike-rush; gall-of-the-earth; one-sided rush; piled-up sedge; slender crabgrass; and small whorled pogonia. In addition, the Piscataquog River has a large ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) community along the banks of Dudley Brook and its mouth in Piscataquog's Middle Branch which is unusual in that these trees do not normally cluster in such a large group.
c. Fishery Resources: The Piscataquog River is a relatively steep gradient stream with a predominantly cobble and gravel substrate. It is dominated by riffle/pool habitat. It is a favored fishery of the Manchester Chapter of Trout Unlimited, who have selected the river in its "Adopt-a-River Program." The Piscataquog River is considered to be one of the two most important salmon nursery tributaries in southern New Hampshire. The river yields higher production levels of juvenile parr, on average, than any other site.
d. Water Quality: Water testing of the Piscataquog River performed in the summer of 1991 by the NH Volunteer River Assessment Program, a division of the NH Department of Environmental Services Biology Bureau, resulted in an overall outcome report of excellence. Both biological and chemical results indicate a healthy aquatic environment.
e. Scenic Values: The Piscataquog River has high quality scenic value. Views include farms, fields, forests, and wetlands. One can find exposed bluffs, caves, cliffs, rapids, gorges, and open meadows along the river. Many villages and towns have evidence of lost water-powered millworks and long-forgotten stone masons reflecting the richness of earlier days.
f. Open Space Protection: For 22 years the Piscataquog Watershed Association, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the New England Forestry Foundation, the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, river towns, state agencies and dozens of private landowners and river stewards have worked to protect the watershed acres of the Piscataquog River. As a result, 4,356 acres of land along the river are protected as well as 85% of the open space within the Piscataquog Watershed.
a. Natural Flow and Impoundment: Of the total Piscataquog River length (136 miles), 95.7 percent is free flowing, with 5.91 miles being impounded. Hydroelectric dams are Greg Falls Hydro Association, capacity 3820 KW; Hadley Falls, capacity 260 KW; and Kelly Falls Hydro Company, capacity 450 KW. Other dams on the river are used for storage which amounts to approximately 1,000 acres of stored water. This total includes the Everett Dam which is not in a nominated segment.
b. Water Withdrawals and Discharges: Berry Good Farm in Goffstown, a commercial blueberry operation, irrigates its plants with river water. This is the only withdrawal from the Piscataquog River. There are no discharges to the Piscataquog River.
a. Historic Resources: The Piscataquog River played a pivotal role in the settlement and development of the region. Large white pine and red oak drew attention to the area, and the water provided resources for early inhabitants. The primary use of the river in the late 1700s and into the 1800s was as a source of power for numerous mills and shops. The towns of Francestown, Deering, Weare, and New Boston still contain many reminders of their early history in the ruins of the mills and shops along the river's banks. The lower end of the Piscataquog was an important link in the transportation of cargo around Manchester.
b. Community Resources: The Piscataquog River provides many significant resources for the area, including sightseeing, swimming, boating, and fishing. The importance of these qualities must not be overlooked both in terms of aesthetic value and the economic value that tourists provide to the communities of the region.
a. Boating: The Piscataquog River is home to hundreds of boating enthusiasts. Whether it be on the quiet, more private sections or on the lakes, boaters can enjoy three seasons of rural New Hampshire at its finest. The lakes provide space for water skiing as well as other recreational endeavors favored by the boating public. Access points abound along the river.
b. Fishing: The three branches of the Piscataquog River, together with its tributaries and lakes, provide both the novice and knowledgeable fisherpersons fine and rewarding fishing. With the many diversified river bottoms and the impoundments, the river supports a large warm water fishery as well as a notable trout fishery.
c. Other Recreation: The Piscataquog River offers tremendous recreational opportunities year-round. Summer finds swimmers, hikers, and picnickers enjoying the river's bounty. Commuters and travelers on the riverside highway are treated to a four-season panorama of special views. Winter hikers and cross-country skiers enjoy the scenery and camping has become a four-season recreational opportunity along the river and its watershed.
d. Public Access: Public access including launch sites, parking, bathhouses, restrooms, and picnic areas are available and adequate along many stretches of the river. Some of this access is offered free of charge and others are offered with various fees.