Cold Brook Preserve Restoration Project

Princeton Hydro was contracted by Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) to develop a conceptual restoration design for the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve (CBP). Cold Brook is a small coastal stream, approximately three miles long, that drains to Saquatucket Harbor on the south shore of Cape Cod. The Cold Brook watershed has undergone profound hydrologic and floristic alteration since at least the late 19th century, primarily to accommodate cranberry cultivation.

The CBP site was selected as a Priority Project of DER; as such, this site was eligible for funding and management assistance through partnership with DER. The goals for the CBP site included the restoration of fundamental wetland services and functions with a focus on exposure of native soils, management of the existing sand cap, cultivation of native habitat types and plant communities, and restoration of natural site hydrology.

Princeton Hydro provided a restoration concept based on fulfilling a number of requirements expressed by HCT and DER. The requirements included self-sustainability; restoration of wetland function; promotion of natural hydrology; enhancement of fish and wildlife passage; improvement to water quality; resiliency to climate change and sea level rise; and maintenance and enhancement of public accessibility.

An important aspect of the restoration of natural hydrology at the CBP site was the tidal influence and salinity intrusion into the site. Site monitoring showed the lower third of the site to be tidal, although the head of the tide within the incised channel extends farther into the site. The tidal range and variable salinity were necessary and fundamental concerns in the restoration of the site and dictated plant community selection as well as aquatic habitat zonation.