Shirley Open Space and Recreation Plan 2011 Draft
Watershed. Rivers and streams within the sub-basins are classified as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) under the Squannacook-Nissitissit Rivers Sanctuary Act, which aims to protect the rivers from stormwater and wastewater discharges. Although the Squannacook and Nashua Rivers were severely polluted in the 1970-80s, over the past thirty years water quality management in the Nashua River Basin has been implemented by the Nashua River Watershed Association and the rivers are clean enough today to serve as regional recreational resources. The twenty miles of continuous riverfront are protected, undeveloped, and publicly accessible (www.nashuariverwatershed.org).
Much of the NHESP, BioMap 2, and ACEC areas are currently protected. Certain priority habitats also coincide with town aquifers and waterways. Conservation land acquisitions should be a priority for unprotected regions of NHESP and ACEC designations in order to protect biodiversity. In turn, the natural resources will also be protected for humans as wildlife viewing areas and water supply. In the 1990s and early 2000s a significant amount of vernal pools were identified by a local couple, the Gabriels. An Open Space Committee could continue to certify vernal pools and advocate for protection and conservation land acquisition.
2. Surface Water Draining into the Squannacook and Nashua Rivers are the ten streams that flow within the four sub-basins in Shirley:
The numerous river corridors in Shirley are recreational assets; more planning is needed to determine the most ideal locations for boat launches and swimming holes so that human access doesn’t damage habitat or water quality. Additionally linking priority habitats, potential greenway corridors and trail linkages should be considered to promote ecotourism and encourage town ‘nurturing’ of these resources.
4C. Water Resources 1. Watersheds Water resources in Shirley have largely influenced the location of farmland, forestland, development nodes, and roads. About 440 acres of Shirley’s total area are surface water: rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. There are four sub-basins within the town of Shirley: the Squannacook River, Mulpus Brook, Nashua River, and the Catacunemaug Brook (see Water Resources map). Historically, development has grown around the waterways; roadways, farmland, and forests and rippled outwards from them. Shirley is part of the greater Merrimac River basin which includes the Nashua River
Mulpus Brook Catacunemaug Brook Trout Brook Walker Brook Trap Swamp Brook Pumpkin Brook Morse Brook Beaver Pond Brook Bow Brook Spruce Swamp Brook
The Nashua River forms 12.5 miles of Shirley’s southeast town boundary. The Squannacook River runs along the remaining boundary to the northeast. The confluence of the North and South Nashua Rivers forms the Nashua River in Lancaster, south of Shirley. The river flows north towards the Merrimac River in Nashua, New Hampshire. The river is dammed throughout its course; the Ice House Dam is in Shirley. The stretch of the Nashua from the 18