Tag: Squamscott River

“of oysters and history”

Last evening in Stratham you had an opportunity to  express your feelings  about bestowing Protected River status on the Squamscott and the  lower Exeter River. I attended as did Dan Jones Esq who  pointed out it’s pronounced Squamscott (hit the q )  not Swamscott. The Chairman  of the advisory committee hearing testimony is from Boscawen. Bosquin is   correct. I guess  we all mess  that pronunciation, along with Lebanon. You should reel it off  it fast  like Peabody. Peebedee is the correct  form. Lebinin, I guess is correct. Eggzeter, hear that  alot.

The  meeting in Stratam, Stratham was really  informative  and you can submit a letter if you were unable to attend. Send a  note by the 28 th of July . I will post the address. It will help to insure what looks to be a sure thing.  The River was key to our development  and really  needs to be honored for that role and set free too.

A gentleman from Newfields Conservation  Commission with a scientific background informed us of the presence   of giant oysters at the mouth of the Squamscott River. I was aware of a closed oyster bed( pollution)  on the Bay side of the RR trestle but not inside . It seems these adaptable oysters can be as old as ten years, that’s very old for an oyster. They are also huge measuring as large as 8 – 10 inches. They seem to be  functioning fine  filtering water and deserve further study, and protection. Maybe we have a strain of disease tolerant oysters that  could be planted elsewhere. Is that  possible?

Here is a scholarly article on the oyster beds in the Bay  with a map. Its 2003 , yes . I like the date , still talking  about it 7 years hence.

OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) REEF MAPPING IN THE GREAT

BAY ESTUARY, NEW HAMPSHIRE – 2003

Donna  Schlachman was there, Doug Scamman, Theresa Walker RPC, Cheri Patterson NHF&G, Don Clement in his ERLAC role  was there, Paul Deschaine Stratham Town Manager, a good crowd.

Try and post a letter before July 28th with your thoughts on the Squamscott River & Lower Exeter River.

NH Dept. of Environmental Services,

29 Hazen Dr., PO Box 95, Concord,NH 03302-0095

Attn: Rivers Coordinator.

NHDES has a web site page devoted to the River Protection process.

Sea & Sky

The unpleasant and  mysterious discharges continue in the Squamscott River. This was taken Sept 6th 2009. I have to tell you, I don’t even report it anymore. I was actually thinking a more militant posture is  needed by those that want to Save Great  Bay. How much longer are we going to talk  about it? If you were invited to an all day seminar on the State of the Great Bay would you  pay attention? If you were a significant player would you feel compelled to  learn as much as you can and network with other  officials? What would you think of someone that brought their knitting? Oh, to be King for a day.

Here are some pleasant  shots.

The Thomas  Leighton passing Whaleback Light, on it’s way to the Isles of Shoals.

The Leighton is  really a local treasure.

We are both underway  in the Piscataqua River.

If you look very close ,there is  center console  hard top just barely visible, it was a funky morning. This is the route 16 bridge.

The best kind of wake.

Stopping at  Dunkies before leaving can make the River to Bay transition a very tight squeeze.

Gundalow

Under tow  from Dover, docking at Ceres Street. Kyle was on board, I had dropped him in Dover where the Gundalow had been  visiting  using my boat earlier in the day.

A  working water way is so interesting, although  the harbor at  Monte Carlo still  has significant allure.

Monrovia, anyone sure where that it is? All I see is  Groucho in a uniform.

Still an issue at some point.

This was a project that  appeared to  require more than two men.  If we ever build a new bridge over  the Bay this old bridge will  be used somehow  in the process.

Our Harbormaster Bud Field  keeps his  sturdy vessel  moored at  Newfields landing  in the Squamscott.

Kyle, at work.

Tall Ships at Portsmouth NH

That’s the  Stratham fair chopper  ride you can see. If I  zoomed it you  can tell he is coming out of a dive, yes a dive. I can assure you that  many people  got  a thrilling ride from what I could see. Love to see the FAA rule book on  chopper rides.

I snapped this in DC  this Spring.  Mine might be roll  clouds except for that spike.

The link  below has some  great cloud pictures.

http://www.popgive.com/2008/12/rare-and-beautiful-cloud-formations.html

Mike