Shawsheen River: Difference between revisions

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'''Environmental Monitoring'''
'''Environmental Monitoring'''
In the 1970's an environmental group called the Shawsheen River Stream Team formed to address contaminent flowing from Hanscomb Airforce Base. In the 1980s, the Shawsheen River Environmental Action Team formed to clean debris from the river. In 2001, a 501c3 non-profit, [https://shawsheenriver.net The Shawsheen River Watershed Association] was formed. See below for 2000 Shawsheen River Watershed Report.<br>   
In the 1970's an environmental group called the Shawsheen River Stream Team formed to address contaminent flowing from Hanscomb Airforce Base. In the 1980s, the Shawsheen River Environmental Action Team formed to clean debris from the river. In 2001, a 501c3 non-profit, [https://shawsheenriver.net The Shawsheen River Watershed Association] was formed. See below for 2000 Shawsheen River Watershed Report.<br>   
<br>
 
'''Photographs''' <br>  
'''Photographs''' <br>  
Historical photos of the Shawsheen River can be found on [https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/ Digital Commonwealth], a Massachusetts collaborative repository for special collections. [https://andoverhistoryandculture.org/ The Andover Center for History and Culture] also has photographs of the river in their collection. <br>
Historical photos of the Shawsheen River can be found on [https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/ Digital Commonwealth], a Massachusetts collaborative repository for special collections. [https://andoverhistoryandculture.org/ The Andover Center for History and Culture] also has photographs of the river in their collection. <br>

Revision as of 15:38, 26 April 2022

The Shawsheen River flows 25 miles from its headwaters in Bedford to its confluence with the Merrimack River in Lawrence. The river loses 70 feet in elevation along the way. According to legend, the name "Shawsheen" is a Native American word meaning "serpent" or "serpentine", while other sources interpret the name to mean "Great Spring" and "Beauty's Pathway". The Shawsheen was the site of grist, saw and textile mills in Andover from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century.

Shawsheen-Shawshin, Gene & Sue Flores, Memorial Hall Library Collections, https://mhl.org/shawsheen-shawshin-1692-2017


Industry
19th and 20th century businesses operating on the Shawsheen in the Town of Andover included The Ballardvale Mills on Andover Street and the American Woolen Company's Shawsheen Mills on Haverhill Street. Both companies went out of business in the 1950s.

Flooding
Rising waters in the Shawsheen have created havoc for the Town of Andover over the years. Most notably, the Shawsheen River flooded in March 1936. (See Flood - March 1936) In October 1996, Andover experienced more than 8 inches of rain in a 36 hour period and the Shawsheen River flooded. (see Flood - October 1996 ) In March 2010, the Spicket and the Shawsheen Rivers flooded. ( See Flood - March 2010 ) The Shawsheen River flooded on Mother's Day weekend in 2006 (See Flood 2006 ) when the water levels were 8.6 feet above normal.

Metropolitan Boston Water Supply Politics
In the 1880s The Committee on the Public Health of Massachusetts Legislature launched an effort to supply Cambridge and Boston with water from the Shawsheen. Ultimately the effort was defeated.

Dam Removals
Because mill dams that supplied water power in the 19th century are no longer used, the Town of Andover has worked with the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration and other organizations to remove them. Dam removal can improve and restore river ecosystems for spawning fish.

Recreation
The Shawsheen River offers recreational opportunities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Anglers are advised to consult freshwater fish consumption advisory information from state and local authorities.

Environmental Monitoring In the 1970's an environmental group called the Shawsheen River Stream Team formed to address contaminent flowing from Hanscomb Airforce Base. In the 1980s, the Shawsheen River Environmental Action Team formed to clean debris from the river. In 2001, a 501c3 non-profit, The Shawsheen River Watershed Association was formed. See below for 2000 Shawsheen River Watershed Report.

Photographs
Historical photos of the Shawsheen River can be found on Digital Commonwealth, a Massachusetts collaborative repository for special collections. The Andover Center for History and Culture also has photographs of the river in their collection.

...Regarding the name "Shawsheen".... click to enlarge


Maps, River Guides and Recreational and Safety Links


References

--Stephanie (talk) 15:50, 22 April 2022 (EDT)
--Glenda 16:27, January 12, 2007 (EST)
--Kim 16:54, August 28, 2013 (EDT)

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