Monitoring/Restoration

2023 monitoring continued bacteria sampling to inform on river health.
A 2023 DEP grant enabled C4R to add new sites, up to 25!
Thanks to support from Country Bank, LWPA, QQLA, and numerous local towns, without this help, all this would not be possible!
We will also study and identify what additional monitoring we can develop and maintain going forward.
C4R will again conduct water chestnut control at the Oxford Marsh. See Events
In 2022, we continued bacteria sampling at key river locations with ongoing support from local towns and associations. See this BacT-summary2022 for a summary of results. The full report will be out in winter.
2022 restoration focused on invasive water chestnut removal at 2 locations on the main stem and scouting for any additional sites.
For 2021, we began Bacteria sampling June 10, thanks to local towns, lake groups and Country Bank support! Also volunteer support to sample!
Restoration focused on Invasive Water Chestnut removal from the Oxford Marsh and Red Bridge areas on the Chicopee River.
For 2020, C4R continued monitoring Bacteria at key river use areas and where new funding support facilitates additional new sites.
In 2019, we conducted a bacteria study of the lower Quaboag, Rt 32 to Three Rivers,.
Recreational Bacteria studies
- 2015 -With funding in place, we sampled at 3 sites along each of the Quaboag and Chicopee Rivers. July thru September. See report below.
- 2016 – We expanded our sites list to 13 along ALL 4 Rivers of the watershed, Many towns are supporting this effort! Report below.
- 2017 – C4R again performed sampling, expanded to 7 events, June-September at 10 sites. Report below.
- 2018 season completed. Sampled 11 sites, report due by years end.

Stream Temperature study (on hold)
- we have spirit thermometers and pH strips for use by volunteers to perform weekly readings at designated sites.
C4R is planning a baseline survey of select streams using a multi-parameter meter to monitor pH, conductivity, temperature and DO. (on hold)
Lower Chicopee storm water project. Bacteria sampling.
- The main purpose of this project was to identify storm water inputs which impact water quality. The design for this project began in 2015 with site identification. Project field work resumed May 2016, collecting data at 17 sites to identify “hot spots.” Chicopee River 604 B DRAFT Final Report 7-12-17
Stream continuity-crossings surveys
- These surveys measure and record the condition of road stream crossings. Plan is to assemble 2-3 person teams and spend a few hours to visit selected sites.