UPDATE for 2021 season: Please observe pandemic safety precautions by remaining at a safe distance from others. Wait until the bridge is empty before approaching to count. Please also avoid the Atria Senior Living property on the west side of the river. Until they are vaccinated, they remain vulnerable and are probably very nervous about potential exposure. No need to add to their anxiety.
River herring count program
How to count: Go to the pedestrian bridge across the river, linking Atria Senior Living and Powder Mill Square (see directions below). Use this link to enter your 10-minute observation data into your smartphone.
We are seeking volunteers to watch the river for just 10 minutes and record the number of river herring that you see. Our goal is to have at least 9 10-minute counts a day, ideally 3 each in the morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon.
Click here for a 30-minute presentation covering the dam removals and volunteer river herring count program.
Brief History
River herring are coming back to the Shawsheen River from the Atlantic Ocean to spawn again now that two dams blocking them from their historical home were removed in the winter of 2016-2017. We have been documenting their return by counting them as they swim upstream to spawn from late April until the end of May. Please join us as we welcome these native fish back to the Shawsheen River!
We are seeking volunteers to watch the river for just 10 minutes and record the number of river herring that you see. Our goal is to have at least 9 10-minute counts a day, ideally 3 each in the morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon.
Click here for a 30-minute presentation covering the dam removals and volunteer river herring count program.
Brief History
River herring are coming back to the Shawsheen River from the Atlantic Ocean to spawn again now that two dams blocking them from their historical home were removed in the winter of 2016-2017. We have been documenting their return by counting them as they swim upstream to spawn from late April until the end of May. Please join us as we welcome these native fish back to the Shawsheen River!
Starting Location
Volunteers will watch the river from the foot bridge over the Shawsheen River between Atria Senior Living (15 Stevens St) and Powder Mill Square (14 Powder Mill Square) in Andover.
Volunteers will watch the river from the foot bridge over the Shawsheen River between Atria Senior Living (15 Stevens St) and Powder Mill Square (14 Powder Mill Square) in Andover.
If you have any questions, please contact Jon Honea.
