Whately

A view of the CT River - Whately, MA

Rainwater falling on the town of Whately drains either directly to the Connecticut River, or via the Mill River watershed to the Connecticut River. Interstate 91 is roughly the watershed divide; east of Rt. 91, the land drains to the Connecticut River, west of Rt. 91, the land drains to the Mill River, directly, or through the Roaring Brook or West Brook sub-drainages.

Whately is rich in natural resources. It has extensive forests and a vibrant farming community; it has streams with excellent water quality and fascinating histories. It also has the largest remaining swamp forest in the Connecticut River Valley and includes one of the largest blocks of unfragmented forest in western Massachusetts. And finally, it includes the Mill River, which supports many rare plants and animals, including the state's largest population of federally endangered Dwarfwedge Mussels. The presence of the mussels is in large part a testimony to the good care of the river that centuries of Whately residents have maintained--either intentionally or inadvertently. The challenge today is to maintain the river's water quality and where possible, improve it.

For more on the town of Whately: http://www.state.ma.us/cc/Whately.html or visit West Brook, Roaring Brook and Mill River links

Citizen Involvement
Whately residents have been active in the Mill River Project, participating in stream teams along West Brook and Ester Brook and taking advantage of watershed activities (field walks, presentations, writing grants). During the last few years West Whately residents have assisted with Atlantic salmon fry stocking on West Brook, and most recently helped form a new citizen-based, watershed group dedicated to prioritizing and protecting a wildlife corridor between Northampton, Hatfield, Whately and Conway. The organization was awarded a 2001 Massachusetts Greenways Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management. The funds will be used to develop a GIS database of property parcels for this western portion of the watershed.

Downtown Whately: The Town Hall and Post Office

Another important issue for West Whately residents is working with the City of Northampton's water supply office to investigate the opportunities for allowing more water to flow into West Brook. The original permit granted in 1902 gave the City sole sole authority over the water rights.

Potential Watershed Activities in Whately:

• Prioritize and protect key open space (river walks, farmland, forest).
• In collaboration with neighboring towns, develop a regional open space plan.
• Organize a clean-up along the Mill River and West Brook.
• Search for rare species (for instance, northern spring salamanders in small tributaries).
• Certify vernal pools.
• 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) and make environmental improvements.
• Work with the City of Northampton on water quantity issues.
• Inform riparian landowners about riparian buffers and individuals actions to take to safeguard water quality.