The inner Wareham River is in fair health. Conditions improved in the mid-2000s when Wareham upgraded its wastewater treatment plant. This facility now discharges far less nitrogen than any other in the region. But the river’s shoreline is densely developed, which leads to nitrogen pollution from septic systems, lawns, and roads. Cranberry bogs north of the river in Wareham, Carver, and Plymouth also play a role in its health.
Inner Wareham River Snapshot
51
out of 100
Bay Health Index (5-year average)
poor
fair
good
51
51
out of 100
Supporting Data
There are eight sampling stations on the inner Wareham River: River Narrows (WR1N), Besse Park (WR1X), Zecco Marina – Boat (WR2N), Zecco Marina – Shore (WR2X), Crab Cove (WR3N), Tempest Knob (WR3X), Pinehurst Beach (WR4), and Barneys Point (WR5).
Inner Wareham River: River Narrows (Station WR1N)
Nitrogen, algae, and water clarity measurements taken from a boat in the channel in the river narrows. (41.754108, -70.709363)
Total Nitrogen
Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen
Total Organic Nitrogen
Algal Pigments
Total Pigments
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Besse Park (Station WR1X)
Dissolved oxygen and water clarity measurements taken from floating dock at Besse Park. (41.755856, -70.711962)
Dissolved Oxygen
All Measurements
Average of Lowest 20%
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Zecco Marina – Boat (Station WR2N)
Nitrogen, algae, and water clarity measurements taken from a boat in the upper river, just offshore from Zecco Marina. (41.753246, -70.707537)
Total Nitrogen
Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen
Total Organic Nitrogen
Algal Pigments
Total Pigments
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Zecco Marina – Shore (Station WR2X)
Dissolved oxygen and water clarity measurements taken from floating dock at Zecco Marina. (41.75299, -70.708553)
Dissolved Oxygen
All Measurements
Average of Lowest 20%
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Crab Cove (Station WR3N)
Nitrogen, algae, and water clarity measurements taken from a boat in Crab Cove. (41.748726, -70.701181)
Total Nitrogen
Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen
Total Organic Nitrogen
Algal Pigments
Total Pigments
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Tempest Knob (Station WR3X)
Dissolved oxygen and water clarity measurements taken from shore at the Tempest Knob boat ramp. (41.750017, -70.701048)
Dissolved Oxygen
All Measurements
Average of Lowest 20%
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Pinehurst Beach (Station WR4)
Nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, algae, and water clarity measurements taken from a boat in the cove north of Pinehurst Beach. (41.74793, -70.709721)
Total Nitrogen
Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen
Total Organic Nitrogen
Dissolved Oxygen
All Measurements
Average of Lowest 20%
Algal Pigments
Total Pigments
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Inner Wareham River: Barneys Point (Station WR5)
Nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, algae, and water clarity measurements taken from a boat off Barneys Point. (41.744951, -70.706268)
Total Nitrogen
Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen
Total Organic Nitrogen
Dissolved Oxygen
All Measurements
Average of Lowest 20%
Algal Pigments
Total Pigments
Water Clarity
Yearly Average
Bay Health data is funded in part by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
