Protecting the Nashua River Greenway
The Nashua River Watershed Association acts as advocate and advisor for the establishment of the Nashua River Greenway. Conservation of the river’s edge is a priority, as expressed in our founding vision of “sparkling blue water with a ribbon of green alongside it.” NRWA encourages a permanently protected open space corridor along both banks of the Nashua River, its main tributaries, and its smaller streams as well. In rural areas, this Greenway can be a natural buffer (ideally 300 feet wide) to filter pollutants, prevent soil erosion, provide floodways, protect wildlife habitat, and offer outdoor recreation, like riverfront trails. In urban areas, the Greenway can conserve water supplies, increase the value of land adjacent to the Greenway, stimulate downtown revitalization, and provide riverside parks for recreation and public access to the river.
The Association has chosen not to acquire land itself, and has passed a Conservation Restriction Policy. We do work closely with local Greenway committees, landowners, communities, conservation groups, and public agencies to help them protect and improve riverfront lands.
In its first three decades, the Greenway expanded from 2 miles of protected riverfront to 84 miles. In the past decade, that figure has more than doubled to over 174 miles of shoreline that are dedicated to open space. The environmental and economic benefits of the Greenway are being realized. While much has already been accomplished, there is much to be done. View Nashua River greenway map and greenway statistics.
To conserve land along the Nashua River and its tributaries, the NRWA promotes the purchase or donation of riverfront lands, conservation agreements with private landowners, and land use controls (zoning, wetlands protection, and low impact development). In addition to promoting Greenway protection, the Association encourages appropriate uses and improvements for lands along the river, such as agriculture, forestry and wildlife management; canoe launches and picnic areas; hiking trails, walkways, and bikeways; and parks and riverfront design in urban areas. To encourage these improvements, the NRWA offers assistance on design projects and management plans for Greenway lands.
A considerable public and private investment has made clean-up of the Nashua River a reality. The Greenway protects this investment while it enhances the use and enjoyment of the river. As water quality continues to improve and as more riverfront conservation lands are connected, the Greenway becomes an increasingly important asset to our communities.
If you have Greenway property that you are interested in protecting, or if you would like more information about NRWA’s work to protect our Greenway, please contact Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Marion Stoddart Greenway Fund
Protecting greenway has been a lifetime passion of Marion Stoddart, one of NRWA’s founders. In 2013, to honor Marion on her 85th birthday, the Marion Stoddart Greenway Fund (MSGF) was created.
The Marion Stoddart Greenway Fund is dedicated to the Nashua River Watershed Association's programs and activities to expand, promote and permanently protect greenways along the rivers, streams, and wetlands in the Nashua River watershed; to increase awareness of the role of greenways in protecting water quality and in providing habitat and corridors for wildlife; and to encourage the use where appropriate of greenways for education and recreation.
Support Marion’s greenway vision, contribute now to the Marion Stoddart Greenway Fund.
Wild & Scenic Rivers: Protecting Outstanding Waterways
An effort is underway to explore whether sections of the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers could be designated as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers.
The Nashua River Watershed Association brought the opportunity to explore such a designation to the attention of the communities through which these rivers flow: the Boards of Selectmen in Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Shirley, Pepperell, and Townsend all endorsed pursuing a Study.
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas filed the bill H.R. 5319, the "Nashua River Wild and Scenic River Study Act". To announce the introduction of the legislation, the Congresswoman held a press event at NRWA’s RiverResourceCenter in Groton.
NRWA's Executive Director, Elizabeth Ainsley Campbell, submitted testimony in favor of HR 5319 and spoke at a legislative hearing held at the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C. by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Public Lands.
The National Park Service conducted a Reconnaissance Survey that confirmed "that the Nashua River and its tributaries have all the ingredients for a successful Wild and Scenic River Study: highly significant natural, cultural and recreational resources; capable and committed local partners; and local communities with a demonstrated track record of support for conservation of the River," said Jamie Fosburgh, the New England Team Leader for Wild and Scenic Rivers.
On June 23, 2014, the bill passed unanimously in the U.S. House of Representatives. It now awaits Senate approval. NRWA will post updates on this page and our News page.
For more information about the Wild & Scenic Rivers program and the potential Study of the Nashua and its tributaries, please contact Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Managing Streamflow: Low Flow and Flooding
Too much water leads to flooding, and too little water leads to low flow in our streams. Both extremes have a negative impact on our water quality and the wildlife that lives in our waterways. Heavy precipitation and periods of drought cannot be controlled, but NRWA does work to minimize human impacts on streamflow.
Low Flow
When precipitation is low and evapotranspiration reduces the amount of water in a stream, cool groundwater replenishes the stream and helps to sustain fish and other aquatic life through periods of drought-like conditions. However, other demands on groundwater can reduce the amount of water available to maintain healthy streamflow to rivers and streams. Water withdrawals from municipal drinking water wells, lawn watering, agriculture and other types of irrigation, and commercial and industrial uses reduce the water available. If the quantity of water withdrawn exceeds the amount of water replenished through precipitation and groundwater recharge, the result is a dry or low flow stream with decreased oxygen and raised water temperatures that stresses or kills fish and other aquatic life.
NRWA works to protect against the issues of low flow through projects that are in keeping with our Sustainable Water Use Policy, such as our Water Monitoring Program where volunteers track streamside conditions; through working with communities, state agencies and other environmental groups to encourage sustainable water policies; and through our education programs for adults on subjects such as Low Water Use Landscaping.
Flooding
In contrast to water withdrawals, impervious surfaces, such as asphalt roadways and parking lots, expanses of cement, and roof tops cause a rapid increase in flow to streams during heavy rainstorms or rapid snowmelts. This fast flow makes the streams rise quickly or be “flashy” and does not allow rainwater to infiltrate slowly back into the ground to replenish groundwater. Streams that receive water runoff quickly from impervious surfaces are prone to flooding, especially in urban areas. Rapid runoff not only causes flooding but also carries pollutants and sediment into our waterways, such as road oils, salt, sand, and yard chemicals.
NRWA works to protect against rapid runoff by helping developers and municipalities address the issue through good stormwater management and low impact development and other Smart Growth planning. The NRWA works with municipal Public Works personnel to discuss local stream quality and the impact of their road management practices. And we collaborate with Conservation Commissions, government agencies, and other organizations to protect wetland areas that serve as sponges absorbing large volumes of water during periods of excess precipitation. Our Purple Loosestrife Management Project is focused on helping to control this invasive species that threatens to take over natural wetlands ecosystems.
For more information on streamflow and NRWA water projects, please contact Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Protecting Water Quantity: Streamflow and Sustainability
Throughout the world, water quantity issues are becoming more urgent, with some regions lacking sufficient water supplies and others dealing with an overabundance leading to flooding. Here in our watershed, streams and rivers are prone to both low flow and flooding.
The total amount of water in the rivers and streams of the Nashua River watershed is a function of the amount of precipitation, the amount of evapotranspiration (evaporation by trees and other vegetation), the amount of water that infiltrates to the groundwater, and the amount of water that is pumped for human consumption. Groundwater is interconnected with surface water in New England, and is an important component of streamflow, especially during the hottest, driest times of the year. Daily real-time streamflow data are available from five U.S. Geological Survey gages in the Nashua River watershed. Instantaneous flow values can be obtained from the gages, as well as historical data, back to 1935 at some locations. The National Weather Service also maintains an Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service to predict precipitation and river cresting, especially during times of flooding.
The elements of nature impacting water quantity are beyond our control, but there are many human actions that also impact water quantity that can be dealt with through a good water management plan. The NRWA seeks an approach to water management that is sustainable for both human consumption and aquatic life, and has a Sustainable Water Use Policy in place to govern its decisions regarding sustainable water use. In accordance with that policy, our work seeks to address low flow and flooding, as well as river continuity, the impacts of dams and culverts on natural stream flow. We also collaborate with state officials, environmental organizations and advocacy groups to promote sustainable water policies for our watershed, and Massachusetts and New Hampshire at large.
For more information about water quantity issues and projects, please contact Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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