Herring Run and Vernal Pools

Good Morning,

I have been speaking with the RI DEM and we feel that some of the herring that are making their way up the Ten Mile River might be making their way into Sucker Pond in Pawtucket and up to McHale’s Pond in Seekonk.

 

They have asked that we do a small count once fish are confirmed in the Ten Mile River.

 

I am looking for volunteers to walk to the Sucker Pond outfall in Pawtucket. There is a footbridge over the stream with a sandy bottom. Please look into the water and count any fish that you see swimming upstream. 

 

Send an email with the number observed, time of day and weather conditions.

 

Each count should take at least 10 minutes.

 

Go whenever you have time.

 

The tricky part is getting there. The easiest way is to park along the Ten Mile River Greenway in Slater Park in Pawtucket at the bend in the road beyond the basketball court and playground.

 

Follow the bike path south  to the trestle. Across the river at this point, you will see the water entering the river from an arch in the stone wall. CAREFULLY cross the trestle and go down to the pond.

 

Please let me know if you can help.

 

The results will be shared with the group and in the event of a herring run, more attention will be paid to this stream at a state level in the future.

 

The vernal pool observations have been going well.

 

We have paid attention to the Elks Club Vernal Pool in Attleboro and the wetland along Bucklin Brook in Pawtucket.

 

There is a lot of activity at the Elks Club but no activity in Pawtucket.

 

The temperature has dropped in the last week so I have not yet lost hope on the Bucklin Brook area, but so far there isn’t much happening anywhere in that watershed.

 

Time will tell.

 

If you know of other vernal pools in either watershed and would like to survey them, let me know. Same deal with this survey. After observing the vernal pool, send an email with your findings.

 

And very importantly if you are there in the day, please look for eggs on the surface of the water!

 

I am still hoping for the best for spring. I look forward to getting out there with everybody and making a difference in our communities. Hopefully these activities will keep us busy and entertained until then.

 

I’m really hoping that we will see fish swimming upstream this spring. That will boost the level of protection for those waterways. Everybody take care and we will be talking soon.

Ben Cote

Friends of the Ten Mile and Bucklin Brook

401-578-2746