Mill River Watershed Project - UMass Extension - Mill River Communities - Towns

Mill River Communities

History
Towns

Farming
Recreation

Deerfield

Water leaving Deerfield drains into three watersheds: directly into the Connecticut River, into the Deerfield River, and in the southern portion of town, into Bloody Brook, one of the main tributaries to the Mill River. With nearly 5000 residents, Deerfield has the largest population of the four core Mill River watershed towns (Conway, Hatfield, Whately). It is also the oldest town within Franklin County and has a national reputation for its place in the country's early history [link to: www.historic-deerfield.org/], its acclaimed private schools, and its crafts fair. It is also home to the Yankee Candle Company store, which receives hundreds of thousands of tourists & buyers a year. The town offices are located in South Deerfield, all of which is in the Mill River Watershed.

Throughout its history Deerfield's rich soils along the Deerfield River, Connecticut River and Bloody Brook have supported agriculture. Today, farmers continue to sow and harvest a variety of produce. Much of the prime agricultural soils have been protected through the state's Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program, with help from three local land trusts: Deerfield Land Trust, Franklin Land Trust and the Valley Land Fund. http://www.state.ma.us/envir/mwi/deerfield.html

For more info on Deerfield, visit http://www.state.ma.us/cc/deerfield.html

Potential Watershed Activities in South Deerfield:

Prioritize and protect key open space (farmland, forest).
In collaboration with neighboring towns, develop a regional open space plan.
Work with riparian landowners to improve the water quality of Bloody Brook by developing natural buffer strips to reduce impacts from sediments, fertilizers and pesticides.
Inform water users of Roaring Brook Reservoir about water conservation to reduce water uses.
Work with teachers and students on environmental. projects/enrichment at the local elementary school and high school, both of which are located on Bloody Brook.
Search for rare species on the Pocumtuck Range.
Develop a bicycle trail through South Deerfield that incorporates historic locations, farm stands and links with other areas of interest in the Mill River watershed.
Develop a trails map and work with landowners to achieve long-term trail protection.
Preserve important views and historical resources
Work with local farms to increase their long-term viability (manure management, marketing, etc).