Abbey Brook is shown on the Integrated List of Waters as impaired, Category 5, waters requiring a TMDL for E. coli and total suspended solids (TSS). Abbey Brook drains a small but highly urbanized watershed in Springfield and Chicopee and flows 1.5 miles to join the Chicopee River. Sampling done under a successful 2016 604b grant study found high E. coli levels in lower Abbey Brook attributable to the Canada geese that congregate at Lower and Upper Bemis Ponds in Szot Park.
This project entailed design for an ambitious initiative to improve water quality in Abbey Brook and provide important climate change resilience benefits. The project’s design includes transformation of the Szot Park landscape with removal of the Lower Bemis Pond Dam and installation of shoreline stormwater BMPs designed to address the identified bacteria issues and discourage year-round geese that are habituated to using the slopes of the Lower Pond.
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission provided assistance with public engagement in this project.
