Grant Works to Restore the Bounty of Cape Cod's Longest River

The nonprofit Friends of Bass River received a $4.75 million grant this spring to help restore the longest river on the Cape Cod. In our ongoing coverage of ecological restoration on the Cape, this episode explores work underway to return 52 acres of retired cranberry bogs to natural wetlands and replace the bridge at Crab Creek - key steps in addressing the high nitrogen levels in this critical estuary and its ponds.

Why is Bass River polluted?

Before the housing boom in the '70s, '80s and '90s, a group of friends grew up on the banks of Bass River in Yarmouth. During this time three drags were enough to scoop up fresh scallop dinners and Massachusetts' second biggest herring population thrived running up the river. But, over the years the friends' concerns for the river's health grew. Eventually nitrogen levels had risen to a level where fishing in Mill Pond – where Bass River starts its journey towards the ocean – was too toxic, and had to be banned. Said and done, the organization Friends of Bass River was step one in reviving this critical estuary.

Did the state of Massachusetts grant funds to Bass River?

"It was a great place to grow up," says Rick Bishop, Director of Friends of Bass River. My best friend at the time and I would water ski from the mouth of Bass River all the way to Follins Pond and back, as part of our spring ritual. Rick is standing at Crab Creek where Mills Pond streams into Follins pond and further forms Bass River. The erosion here is palpable. Storm surge and rising water levels have taken down ten trees in the last year, and over time widened the creek from 18 feet to 64 feet. Friends of Bass River has been awarded a grant of $4.75 million to restore two bridges, one at Crab Creek, stifling further erosion. The rest of the funds will go towards restoring 57 acres of retired cranberry bogs built over wetlands, currently closing doors for water flow and herring.

What are wetlands?

Bishop says wetlands are natural carbon and nitrogen sinks, making him believe the wetland restoration could go a long way in improving the water quality naturally. Under about a foot deep surface of sand the seeds making up the wetland's native species are just waiting for sunlight to start sprouting, returning this bit of Cape Cod back to its original state.

Can you fish in Bass River?

Bass River is the longest river on Cape Cod, stretching nine miles with Dennis on one shore and Yarmouth on the other before uniting with the Atlantic's salt. To Bishop, herring represents health and scallops his childhood. "Bass River used to be known as a wonderful habitat for scallops," he says, and explains how scallop seedlings need eelgrass to grow, but the nitrogen killed off all of the eelgrass. "There's always been a lot of discussion about oysters being wonderful ways to clean water. They're actually the third on the list, quahogs are second, and scallops are the most efficient cleaners of the water."

How will restorations benefit Cape Cod?

Much of Cape Cod's economy rests on revenue from tourism, and much of the tourism rests upon Cape Cod's scenic natural beauty. "I always think about this is not a project for me, that it's a project for future generations" says Bishop. "By opening up this bridge I would imagine that the prohibition against fishing and shellfishing in Mill Pond will be reversed. I think that scalloping will return to the rest of Bass River, which is a wonderful phenomenon for families and future generations."