Conservation

Drawdown of Durham's Mill Pond To Allow Further Study of Dam

If you drive by the Mill Pond Dam in Durham off Route 108 you will see a meandering stream where Mill Pond usually sits. The town of Durham has opened the spill gate to draw down the impoundment so that further inspection and coring samples of the dam's concrete can be obtained as part of the limited feasibility study approved by the town earlier this year. The drawdown will end later this month and the impoundment allowed to refill. Data from the study is anticipated later this year or early next year when hearings on the future of the dam and impoundment will continue. Hearings held this spring revealed strong sentiment by abutters on the impoundment to preserve it, but this was tempered by the environmental issues of the pond's listing as an impaired water body by NH DES and significant reductions in river herring numbers over the past several years despite the Denil fish ladder operated by NH Fish & Game. The town is trying to get a more accurate cost estimate for repairing the dam. Studies are also being done to map the area to help predict the result of potential dam removal of this head-of-tide dam with regard to tidal flow and the resulting river channel.

2010-2011 Season
Meeting & Event Schedule
All of the programs listed below will take place at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH, (directions) and begin at 6:30PM, unless otherwise indicated.
July 14-18, 2010
Youth Conservation Camp
Pittsburg, NH

4th Annual NH Trout Unlimited Youth Conservation Camp
Pittsburg, NH
October 2, 2010
Amy's Treat River Day
This first time event is being done in collaboration with local nonprofit, Amy's Treat, which works to provide enjoyable recreational activities for people undergoing treatment for or having survived cancer. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity. Contact Wendy Nixon if interested in volunteering.
October 4, 2010
Trout Bugs
Renowned author and educator, Thomas Ames, Jr., will present some of his work and knowledge on aquatic insects. Mr. Ames is the author of Hatch Guide for New England Streams and many other books & magazine articles on the subject. Mr. Ames will discuss "Matching the Hatch in the 21st Century."
October 16, 2010
Casting for Recovery
(9AM-4PM, Meet at Measured Progress Parking Lot)
A day of sharing the enjoyment of fishing the Cocheco River with women recovering from breast cancer. Contact Wendy Nixon if you are interested in volunteering.
November 1, 2010
Movie Night
We will present the film "Good Life" featuring some local and national fly fishing talents. Come live the dream of the fly fishing life; at least for an evening! Bring plenty of popcorn!
December 6, 2010
Effects of Climate Change in NH
NH Fish & Game Commissioner, Eric Orff, will discuss the effects of climate change in our home state. Eric was a biologist with NH Fish & Game for 30 years, and works with the National Wildlife Federation. He is well versed on the subject. Some of the effects already taking place may surprise you.