Fishing for a dam change at Talbot Mills dam in Billerica

June 21, 2022

by Melanie Gilbert | June 21, 2022 | The Lowell Sun

BILLERICA — The Talbot Mills Dam won’t celebrate its 313th birthday next year if a public hearing scheduled for June 29 moves forward on the long-proposed dam removal project.

One of nearly 3,000 dams in the state, the dam on Faulker Road in the Historic District is distinctive for the disruption it poses to both animal and human habitats.

The dam is the primary impediment…

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The Lowell Sun: Link to published story

River Log

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

Fishing for a dam change at Talbot Mills dam in Billerica