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The Atlas of Salt Marsh Tidal Restrictions in Buzzards Bay
Sub-pages: | Salt Marsh Atlas Fact Sheet | Winsegansett Restoration Award | Tidal Datums | Winsegansett Restoration Completion
Basics about Salt Marsh Restoration
Salt marsh grasses must be periodically tidally inundated, but cannot be permanently submerged. Consequently, the upper limit of the high marsh (principally the species Spartina patens) is found in Buzzards Bay up to one foot above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW). The lower marsh (principally the species Spartina alterniflora) typically grows down to somewhat above Mean Low Water (MLW). If the salt marsh is restricted by an undersize culvert, or an elevated culvert, the elevations and extent of salt marsh may be reduced, and invasive or brackish water species may replace the Spartina. These restricted marshes may also contain nuisance algal growth or odors from period anoxic conditions.To alleviate these conditions, larger culverts, or culverts at different elevations may be installed. Below are two typical tidal restriction conditions faced. Engineers will select replacement culverts depending upon culvert elevations, culvert diameters, culvert lengths, and area and volume of water needed in the restricted marsh. The larger and deeper the culvert, the more closely will the tidal range and salt marsh elevations match fringing bay marsh elevations.
Interactive Maps
These interactive maps have information and locations about each tidal restriction. Click on the dots to identify the site. (These pages could take up to 30 seconds to load.)Bourne & Falmouth Restrictions
Western shores of Buzzards Bay
Do you have Google Earth installed on your computer (a free program)? If so, these interactive maps might be easier to use.
GE Bourne & Falmouth Restrictions
GE Western Buzzards Bay shore restrictions
Salt Marsh Atlas Fact Sheet
BB Salt Marsh Atlas Downloads
Download Massachusetts Environmental Secretary Bob Durand's Cover Letter to the Atlas (214 kb pdf file)Download the Atlas Cover (750 kb pdf file)
Download Section 1 of the Atlas (737 kb pdf file)
Download Section 2 of the Atlas (13 MB pdf file)
Download Section 3 of the Atlas (21 MB pdf file)
Download Section 4 of the Atlas (21 MB pdf file)
Download Section 5 of the Atlas- References and sample data sheet (278 kb pdf file)
June 2002 final Atlas data table (Appendix A, a pdf file)
Complete Report, 300 dpi resolution (46 MB file)
Sections 2-4 and the complete report are very large. If you attempt to open them in your browser, your browser may give you a timeout error. Instead, right click on the link and download the file to your computer, then open it. Alternatively, we will be happy to send you the 150 MB printer resolution pdf version of the report if you wish (see below).
ArcView GIS Data Files of Buzzards Bay Tidal Restrictions and Phragmites areas (two coverages included in a 178 kb zip files)
(Document downloads have the graphics and images with reduced resolution to reduce file size. If you want a hard copy of the document, or want the document as a PDF on CD, please contact the BBP. Hard copies are of limited availability. If you request the CD, you get the ArcView data files, and 60 unpublished photos of the tidal restrictions. Call us at (508) 291-3625, fax: -3628 or just email us.)
Related Correspondence & Brochures
BBP review of a technical report on a proposed culvert replacement to improve tidal flow to a salt marsh at Little Island in West Falmouth (7/23/03 pdf file)Our review illustrates what kinds of complex issues can surround a tidal restriction salt marsh restoration project, and a common sense approach for evaluating proposed designs.
Restoration Brochure Sent to Land Owners(120 kb pdf)
Hammett Cove Salt Marsh Restoration Brochure(Marion, MA, 120 kb pdf)
Winsegansett Salt Marsh Restoration Brochure (Fairhaven, MA, 213 kb pdf)