River herring now have access to additional spawning and nursery habitat thanks to the installation of a fish ladder at the Center Falls Dam in Winchester Center. Historically, herring would accumulate at the base of the dam in the Aberjona River, with no way through the dam. Now, these tenacious fish can continue their spawning journey to Horn Pond in Woburn.
The Mystic River Watershed Association documented water quality conditions in the Aberjona River to help inform this project, and along with our many community partners played a key role in advocating for this dam modification.
As part of Winchester Town Day on June 3, 2017, Town Officials, members of the Conservation Commission, and resident and local advocate John Kilborn joined together for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the project. The fish ladder was completed in December 2016 as part of a $250K settlement by two companies, Bayer CropScience Inc. and Pharmacia LLC.
Congratulations to all involved!
© David Mussina
