December 2022 EPA 901-R22-001 A C DA Environmental Protection
mI Agency
Mitigating Environmental Impacts
of the Abandoned Interstate 95
Embankment across Rumney Marsh
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TITLE
Mitigating Environmental Impacts of the
Abandoned Interstate 95 Embankment across Rumney Marsh
EPA Publication 901-R22-001
Author
Edward Reiner, Senior Wetland Scientist,
US EPA New England,
Boston, Massachusetts.
Edited by
Valerie Bataille, Environmental Specialist
US EPA New England,
Boston, Massachusetts
Cover photo: August 8, 2015, photo depicting the relocated Pines River crossing at the abandoned 1-95
embankment in Rumney Marsh. Photo Credit Bill James.
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ACKNO WLEDGEMENTS
This report was prepared by Edward Reiner, Senior Wetland Scientist, US EPA New England, Boston,
Massachusetts. Mr. Reiner graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science and a Master
of Science degree in Biology. Mr. Reiner started as a co-op student with EPA in 1976 and joined the Region l's
Wetland Program in 1979. He has been working on Rumney Marsh wetland protection and restoration
throughout his career with EPA. For this study, he applied the knowledge gathered over four decades of
working on Rumney Marsh salt marsh protection and restoration projects and collaborations.
This work would not have been possible without the help and support of the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) New England Regional Laboratory and staff that provided the depth gauge, GPS
instruments, and pressure transducers used during the study. Francis Choi, formerly with Northeastern
University Marine Science Center (NUMSC), also provided pressure transducers, performed the elevation
survey, and installed the transducers. Former EPA intern, Tamer Sullivan, assisted with bathymetry and water
level data collection in 2018. Retired EPA employee, Jennie Bridge, helped edit the document. Daniel Morse,
GIS Analyst at LinTech Global Inc. (working under EPA IT services support contract no. GS-35F-
0343W/68HE0319F0020), developed the Rumney Marsh GIS maps and the analysis and graphics for the
bathymetry data, the increased dimensions of the bridges, and the salt marsh vegetation and elevation
analysis. Ed Kim assisted with data analysis and graphics. Rachel Croy assisted with the evaluation and
presentation of data and report preparation.
My thanks for the informal peer review by Sandra Petrakis, Physical Scientist in the Drinking Water Quality and
Protection Section, and Valerie Bataille, EPA New England Scientific Integrity Coordinator and Peer Review
Coordinator. Special thanks to Ms. Bataille for her expert commentary and guidance with editing this report,
the peer review process as well as data analytics and data visualizations. My sincere gratitude to Robert Hunt,
retired Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), for his informal peer review comments. Mr. Hunt was
the former Corps of Engineers Project Manager for the Saugus River Regional Flood Gate Project.
I would also like to thank my formal peer reviewers, including Steven C. Davis, President Verrill Strategic
Consulting, Inc. Mr. Davis was Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office in the 1980's,
during which many projects involving the marsh were under review. My thanks, as well, to Dennis Lowry, from
AECOM Environment. Mr. Lowry has specific knowledge of Rumney Marsh from his involvement with the
USACE studies in the marsh, dating back to 1986. Mr. Lowry has more than 40 years of experience as a
professional wetland scientist, including many coastal wetland restoration projects and tidal studies.
In addition, I would also like to thank David Hilgeman and Christina Wu of the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Special Projects Section and David E. Robbins, Regional Environmental
Officer at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 1, New England office for their peer review
comments. Finally, I want to thank Saugus resident Fae Saulenas, for her photographs of tidal flooding
events depicted in Appendix C.
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DISCLAIMER
This report was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (hereafter EPA or the Agency) to
inform restoration planning in Rumney Marsh. An external peer review was conducted in accordance with
EPA's peer review process. This project was conducted under an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan.
Any mention of trade names, manufacturers, or products does not imply an endorsement by the United
States Government or the EPA. EPA and its employees do not endorse any commercial products, services,
or enterprises. Links to websites outside of the EPA website are provided for the convenience of the user.
Inclusion of information about a website, an organization, a product, or a service does not represent
endorsement or approval by EPA, nor does it represent EPA opinion, policy, or guidance unless specifically
indicated. EPA does not exercise any editorial control over the information that may be found at non-EPA
websites. This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. All charts not sourced are credited to EPA.
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
DISCLAIMER iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
INTRODUCTION 4
Study Goals and Objectives 4
Research Study Setting 4
Rumney Marsh Background 6
Wetland Protection and Restoration Efforts 14
Previous Hydrology Studies 17
Route 107 Bridges Reconstruction 18
RESULTS 20
2018 Bathymetry study 20
2019 Tidal Water Level Study 23
Tidal Level Study Methods 24
Peer Review 28
2019 Tidal Level Study Results 29
Tidal Data Analysis 34
Vegetation Survey 40
Storm Surge Evaluation 42
Sea Level Rise 43
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 46
1-95 Embankment Removal and Breaching 47
Beneficial Use of Embankment Sands and Gravel 48
Permit and Funding Considerations 49
Additional Considerations for Marsh Restoration 49
REFERENCES 51
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APPENDIX A - Bathymetry Study 53
Methods 53
Results 53
APPENDIX B - Rumney Marsh Restoration Areas and Tidal Restrictions 58
APPENDIX C- Coastal Flooding Photos of East Saugus Marsh 62
APPENDIX D-Vegetation and Elevation Survey in the East Saugus Marsh 71
APPENDIX E - Additional Graphs of the Study Results 74
APPENDIX F - Quality Assurance Project Plan 81
Figures
Figure 1. United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map 5
Figure 2. Rumney Marsh historical wetland impacts 1803-2007 7
Figure 3. Air photo (courtesy USGS) from May 1,1960, with the proposed highway outlined in purple 8
Figure 4. Sheet 1 of 3 from USACE permit file 1966-00038 9
Figure 5. Sheet 2 of 3 from USACE permit file 1966-00038 10
Figure 6. Sheet 3 of 3 from USACE permit file 1966-0003 11
Figure 7. EPA Rumney Marsh Restoration Areas map 16
Figure 8. Satellite photo from 2021 showing the retained flood protection berm and a removal focus area 17
Figure 9. During and after construction photographs of the East Branch Pines River bridge 19
Figure 10. Graphic depiction of the three Route 107 bridges dimensional clearances 20
Figure 11. July 2018 results from Bathymetry study 21
Figure 12. Depth of scour holes at three tidal restrictions in Rumney Marsh 22
Figure 13. Photograph of the "temporary" drainage channel in East Saugus 23
Figure 14. Map of Rumney Marsh showing locations of pressure transducers deployed in 2019 25
Figure 15. (left) Former Ballard Street Culvert and makeshift tide gate 26
Figure 16. (right) Bristow Street culvert 26
Figure 17. Photographs of the pressure transducer installations 27
Figure 18. Tidal Datums at five stations along the Pines River, April 16-June 7, 2019, 30
Figure 19. Tidal datums at five stations along the Pines River, June 7-September 5, 2019, 31
Figure 20. Daily peak tidal water level (MHHW), 4/16/2019 - 6/7/2019 32
Figure 21. Daily peak water level (MHHW), 6/7/2019 - 9/5/2019 33
Figure 22. Comparison ofMHWand Maximum reported tidal datum metrics above the abandoned 1-95 embankment 34
Figure 23. Daily tidal water elevations during spring tide conditions April 18-19, 2019, 36
Figure 24. Daily water level from five stations along the Pines River during neap tide cycle on May 27, 2019, 37
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Figure 25. Map of the tide gauge locations, May 15-29, 2014, (ACRE 2015) 38
Figure 26. Tidal datums computed from the 15-day records collected Pines River marsh system in May 2014 39
Figure 27. NOAA tidal datums from NAI2014 and VHB 2018 compared to tidal datums from the Boston Harbor gauge 40
Figure 28. Box chart depicting elevation data ranges for vegetation species observed in the East Saugus Marsh 41
Figure 29. Stunted Phragmites in the East Saugus Marsh 41
Figure 30. Chart comparing Boston Harbor verified high tide data to East Saugus estimated high tide elevations 42
Figure 31. Boston Harbor predicted and verified tides during the March 1-March 6, 2018, storm 43
Figure 32. Photograph taken March 3, 2018, shows tidal water levels approaching the top of the railroad embankment 45
Figure 33. Aerial photo taken May 10, 2016, highlighting the locations of former channels which were filled 48
Tables
Table 1. Wetland acreage from a May 1987 survey in the upper Pines River from USACE 1991b 6
Table 2. Tidal datums, April 16-June 7, 2019, 30
Table 3. Tidal datums, June 7-September 5, 2019, 30
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This study focuses on the coastal wetland restoration opportunity associated with removal of the abandoned
Interstate 95 (1-95) highway embankment. Between 1967 and 1969, approximately 120 acres (49 hectares) of
Rumney marsh were filled with six million cubic yards (4.6 million cubic meters) of sand and gravel, creating an
embankment 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) long for the 1-95 project that was never completed (Figures 1 and 2).
The highway project was abandoned in 1972, however, the embankment was left in place. Details from the
1966 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, are
provided in figures 4-6. Only a narrow rock armored channel was left for drainage and tidal flow to 444 acres
(180 hectares) of wetlands located west of the embankment (Figure 6).
With the potential to restore up to 50 additional acres (20.2 hectares) of salt marsh and intertidal area,
removing the abandoned 1-95 embankment from Rumney Marsh is the single largest opportunity to restore
previously filled coastal wetlands in Massachusetts. Restoring the former drainage patterns would also
improve tidal flow and drainage to an additional 444 acres (180 hectares) of coastal wetlands on the upstream
side of the embankment. Restoring drainage patterns within the high salt marsh is essential for improving the
resilience of the marsh to rising sea levels, as well as protecting the breeding habitat of the saltmarsh sparrow.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate if removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment at Rumney Marsh in
Revere and Saugus, Massachusetts, to restore the salt marsh, tidal creeks, and previous drainage patterns,
would increase tidal flooding over present conditions. Findings are provided from several water level
monitoring studies which quantify an increase in tidal hydrology along the Pines River, attributable to the
2009-2012 reconstruction of three bridges on State Route 107. The bridges' reconstruction, using longer and
higher spans over the waterways, restored a more normal tidal hydrology throughout the Pines River estuary.
This finding reveals that Route 107 was responsible for the lower tidal water levels previously documented by
USACE in the East Saugus Marsh.
The goals of this study were to determine the depth of the Pines River to illustrate the bathymetry in the
marsh. Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth. This project collected bathymetric data of the Pines
River as it flows through three tidal restrictions (the railroad crossing, the Route 107 crossing, and the Pines
River/1-95 embankment armored channel). We also collected bathymetry data of the constructed drainage
channel on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment. This drainage channel has been widening
due to erosion of the salt marsh peat banks. Erosion of the embankment itself, as well as the peat erosion,
contribute to channel sedimentation. Lastly, we collected bathymetry data of the channel from the East
Branch of the Pines River. The East Branch of the Pines River bridge was specifically lengthened and raised to
provide increased tidal flow and drainage for the Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration Project in Saugus.
The bathymetry data revealed significant scour holes on both sides of the railroad bridge, Route 107 bridge,
and the 1-95 embankment opening of the Pines River. All three crossings in Rumney Marsh (embankment,
road, and rail), caused a loss of sheet flow across the high marsh surface. Flows are now concentrated at the
waterway openings, increasing water velocity. Scour holes typically develop at bridges or culverts due to the
increased flows through undersized structures. The finding of deep scour holes by itself is indicative of the
presence of tidal restrictions and may be useful for future modeling of the estuary. Details concerning the
bathymetric investigation methods and results are provided in Appendix A.
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Another goal was to conduct a water level study to evaluate tidal flooding in Rumney Marsh. The water level
data obtained in collaboration with Francis Choi at Northeastern University Marine Science Center (NUMSC)
provides a means for evaluating drainage/flooding issues in East Saugus and any potential ecological
restoration projects associated with the removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment. The data collected from
the water level study allowed for the quantification of the tidal restrictions in the marsh and established that
the removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment would not increase flooding to the East Saugus community.
The water level investigation was conducted over a 142-day period in 2019, using Onset HOBO U-Series water
level pressure transducers installed at seven strategically selected stations throughout the marsh (Figure 14).1
We used the same standard operating procedures (SOPs) as previous tidal water level studies; however, our
study maintained the equipment for a longer period. We calculated Mean High Water (MHW), Mean Higher
High Water (MHHW), and reported the maximum tide observed during two time periods. For our first 52-day
study results, we found relatively similar tidal datum metrics throughout the Pines River estuary, with only a
slight reduction of tides caused by the railroad bridge for the maximum tide (0.06 feet or 1.8 cm). A slightly
larger reduction of 0.14 feet (4.3 cm) was observed for the maximum observed tide above the Route 107
bridges. Maximum tidal water levels on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment was equal to
the immediate downstream side, which was approximately 0.25 feet (7.6 cm) lower than the lower Pines River
due to the combined effects of the two downstream bridges.
Our subsequent 90-day study results showed a similar reduction of the maximum tide by 0.05 feet (1.5 cm)
caused by the railroad bridge, and an additional 0.1 feet (3.05 cm) reduction to the maximum tide from Route
107. For the 90-day study, the maximum tide on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment was
0.25 feet (7.6 cm) lower than the lower Pines River. The study results reveal that the Route 107 Bridges'
Reconstruction Project successfully restored a more normal tidal hydrology throughout the Pines River
estuary, as evidenced by the similartidal datums of MHW and MHHW. The data revealed there is a slight tidal
restriction caused by the Route 107 bridges during the highest tides, which was intentionally designed to avoid
increasing tidal flooding.
The most significant threat of flooding for the project area is from tidal surges that may occur during spring
high tide periods. Storm or tidal surges occur due to low pressure weather systems such as cyclones. Tidal
surge is measured by the difference between the actual and predicted tide. During our study, the area was not
subjected to a significant storm surge coinciding with spring high tides. Therefore, we include an evaluation of
information about storm surges that have been photographically documented. Photographic evidence of
numerous tidal flooding events at one property along the East Saugus Marsh shoreline is included in Appendix
C. For each of the storm events, we subtracted the Boston Harbor tide gauge predicted highest tide from the
verified highest tide to determine the storm surge amounts. In addition, we calculated the difference between
the peak Boston and East Saugus Tides.2
The reported storm surges produced 0.3-to-3.4-foot higher tides than predicted, causing street flooding at
Beachview and Belair Streets in East Saugus. Based on the photographic evidence combined with ground
elevation and fence measurements, EPA estimates these tidal flood events resulted in water levels reaching
elevation 6.4 to 7.5 feet NAVD88. The frequent tidal flooding at elevations approaching or exceeding the
predicted annual highest tide, is evidence in clear support of our conclusion that the 1-95 embankment does
1 https://www.onsetcomp.com/products/data-loggers/u20-Q01-01
2 https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/waterlevels.html?id=8443970
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not provide a reduction of tidal flooding in East Saugus. Based on the data collected and analysis of the tidal
fluctuations, we conclude that removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment from the marsh would not
increase flooding over existing conditions.
The removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment and restoration of the marsh is both an allowable activity
with respect to permitting and environmental review considerations, and a goal in the Rumney Marshes Area
of Critical Environmental Concern designation. Appropriately designed excavation, dredging, and associated
placement of fill activities required to restore the marsh would be eligible for permitting as an Ecological
Restoration Project under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, and the USACE General Permit #23
under the Massachusetts General Permit.3 Demonstrating that the embankment does not provide flood
protection, and adversely impacts drainage for the community and the condition of the marsh, is critical to
mitigating the environmental impacts.
Most importantly, breaching the embankment to restore the former flow path of the East Branch of the Pines
River would improve drainage for the marsh and community residents. Improving drainage is critical as
"waterlogged" areas in a salt marsh typically result in plant die-off, marsh decay, and subsidence of the marsh
(Day et al. 2011, Burdick et al. 2020). Improving drainage will contribute to increased marsh resiliency to sea
level rise by helping to maintain high salt marsh areas.
High salt marsh areas are vital for breeding of saltmarsh sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) which nests in
the high marsh.4 Saltmarsh sparrow populations are declining due to nest flooding and predation. The
saltmarsh sparrow was listed as Special Concern under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) in
2020 and is expected to be listed under the United States Endangered Species Act. To understand the
breeding of saltmarsh sparrows and how rising tides affect them, view the video at
https://www.pbs.org/video/nature- saltmarsh-sparrow-chick-escapes-death.
With the expected sea level rise projections, alternative retreat, flood proofing, raising building elevations, or
flood control berms or walls will be needed. Berms or walls, however, do not solve all problems as
groundwater also rises with sea level, and interior drainage would need to be accommodated by providing
ponding areas or pump stations.
Present and future concerns for tidal flooding in the larger estuary area have resulted in efforts to resurrect
the formerly proposed Saugus River and Tributaries Flood Damage Reduction Project, which would construct a
series of closable floodgates at the mouth of the Saugus River.5 Regardless of any larger flood control project
that may be needed in the future to address sea level rise, continued removal of embankment fill would
promote ecological restoration of the marsh. Fill removal also creates additional flood storage in the marsh.
Protecting an estuary storage area is a critical component of the USACE Saugus River and Tributaries Flood
Reduction Project. The abandoned 1-95 embankment provides no flood protection benefit for East Saugus and
can be removed without increasing present tidal flooding conditions. Thus, removal of the 1-95 embankment is
compatible with and supportive of the Saugus River and Tributaries Flood Damage Reduction Project, should it
be implemented.
3 https://www.nae.usace.armv.mil/Missions/Regulatorv/State-General-Permits/Massachusetts-General-Permit/
4 https://www.fws.gov/species/saltmarsh-sparrow-ammodramus-caudacutus
5 https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a217016.pdf
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This EPA report consolidates multiple lines of evidence supporting the position that the tides in the upper
Pines River are partially restricted by the downstream bridges, not the abandoned 1-95 embankment. This
study concluded that removal of the embankment to restore former drainage patterns and sheet flow across
the marsh would result in positive environmental impacts without increasing the existing or future flooding
problems. This report, associated data, and other information about Rumney Marsh can be found at
EPA Rl-Rumney-Marsh-Wetland. In addition we will also be publishingthis EPA Report on EPA's Science
Inventory.
INTRODUCTION
This EPA report analyzes multiple lines of evidence to determine if the tides in the Pines River are restricted by
the downstream bridges and the abandoned 1-95 embankment.
Study Goals and Objectives
The goal of this study was to document depth of the Pines River in Rumney Marsh through a bathymetric
study. Bathymetric data was collected along the Pines River as it flows through three tidal restrictions (the
railroad crossing, the Route 107 crossing, and the Pines River abandoned 1-95 embankment armored channel).
The objective of this study was to document channel depth along the Pines River, the constructed drainage
channel on the upstream side of the embankment, and the channel leading from the East Branch of the Pines
River along the east side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment in Saugus. This data will be useful if hydraulic
modeling studies are needed to evaluate potential flooding impacts from embankment fill removal options.
An additional goal of the study was to document if water levels vary on the different sides of the tidal
restrictions. The objective was to collect sufficient water level data in order to quantify the tidal restrictions in
the marsh. This would determine whether the removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment would increase
flooding to the East Saugus community. The water level data provides a means for evaluating
drainage/flooding issues in East Saugus and any potential ecological restoration projects associated with the
removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment.
Research Study Setting
Situated at the lower end of the 47 square mile (122 square kilometer) watersheds of the Saugus and Pines
Rivers, the 1657-acre (671-hectares) Rumney Marsh is the largest remaining estuarine ecosystem in the
metropolitan Boston area (Figure 1). Rumney Marsh supports an abundance of natural resources, including 38
species of resident and migratory fish, shellfish, shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl. In recognition of the
importance of protecting these resources, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in 1988, designated most of
the marsh as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).6
On its east side, the marsh is bounded by Revere Beach, a developed barrier beach within the Pines River
portion of the marsh. On its west side, commercial and residential property borders the marsh. To the
northwest, the marsh is bounded by uplands of the East Saugus and Cliftondale neighborhoods. To the north,
the Saugus River is flanked with industrial and commercial property in Lynn, including the General Electric
Corporation facilities.
6 https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/pf/rm-des.pdf
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The population that is most impacted from flooding adjacent to the area assessed for this study is
approximately 3,316 people. According to EPA's EJ screening tool, that is only for pre-decisional use, the
impacted area which is upstream of route 107 is comprised of 32% percent people of color, representing
52%ilie in the USA and in the 80%ille in the USA for limited English-speaking households, i.e., Indo-European
language and other languages. EJ Screen denotes a number of selected Air pollution indices that are
particularly high in this impacted area, Diesel Particulate Matter, Air Toxics Risks, Air Toxics Respiratory HI are
in the 80-90th %llie in the USA and the proximity of an RPM facility and hazardous waste are also in the 80thilie
in the USA. For additional information, see EPA Environmental Justice.
Rumney Marsh
1-95 Embankment
Towei
Drive-in
Thfeter
Boston
lila'n
: Base map: ESRl, USGS, DeLorme, NPS.
We*: NOAA and the GIS User Community.
EPA Region 1 GIS Center Map #11801,11/5/2019
Figure 1. United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map highlights the abandoned 1-95 highway embankment across the
full width of the marsh with only one opening at the relocated Pines River crossing. Route 107 (Salem Turnpike) and the Boston and
Maine (now MBTA) Railroad are also depicted as crossing the length of the marsh.
The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site is located at the upper limit of the estuary, approximately 4.5
miles (7.2 kilometers) from the mouth of the Saugus River. The Saugus Iron Works, America's first successful
ironworks, operated from 1646 to 1668. With more than 350 years of development history since the arrival of
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English colonists in the seventeenth century, the marsh has been impacted in many ways. EPA has estimated
that 1,258 acres (509 hectares) or approximately 43% of the marsh was filled from 1803-2007 and an
additional 87 acres (35.2 hectares) was dredged and converted to mudflat or open water (Figure 2).
Based on studies conducted in 1987, the USAGE characterized the estuary as containing 236 acres (95.5
hectares) of tidal river, 330 acres (133.5 hectares) of mud flats, and 115 acres (46.5 hectares) of regularly
flooded low salt marsh [Spartino alterniflora).7 Approximately 955 acres (386.5 hectares) were irregularly
flooded habitats including 510 acres (206.4 hectares) of high marsh (Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata),
181 acres (73.2 hectares) of undifferentiated high marsh, and 141 acres (57.1 hectares) of Phragmites australis
marsh. The USACE also distinguished specific acreage for several other cover types, including short form
Spartina alterniflora, Iva frutescens, Distichlis spicata, Juncus gerardii, Typha spp., panne, non-vegetated areas,
tidal creek, and pond. Estuary resources also included 5.5 acres (2.2 hectares) of shrub swamp, 3.2 acres (1.3
hectares) of wooded swamp, and 6.6 acres (2.7 hectares) of upland. The USACE also documented the acreage
and type of wetlands upstream of the abandoned 1-95 embankment in both Revere and Saugus in May 1987 as
containing a total of 475 acres (192 hectares) of wetlands (Table 1). This acreage included 38 acres of
Phragmites (15.4 hectares) in ponding areas. Excluding the Ballard Street salt marsh, the upper Pines River
contains approximately 444 acres (179.7 hectares) of wetlands (IEP 1988, USACE 1989).
Table 1. Wetland acreage from a May 1987 survey in the upper Pines River from USACE 1991b
Wetland Acres - Upper Pines River, May 1987
Saueus
Revere
Total Acres
Sub - Tidal Rivers
0
28
28
Mudflats
0
58
58
Low Salt Marsh Grasses
21
20
41
High Salt Marsh Grasses
245
28
273
Pannes
4
0
4
Phragmites Reeds
in High Marsh
7(10-20)*
3
10 (13-23)*
in Ponding Areas
38
0
38
Marsh Elder Bush
14
0
14
Shrub/Wooded Swamps &
Cattails
9
0
9
TOTAL
338
137
475
* Includes areas of phragmites not shown on the cover maps.
Rumney Morsh Background
Construction of roads and railroads in the nineteenth century, as well as more recent road projects,
segmented the marsh and affected tidal hydrology. Salem Turnpike (Route 107) was constructed across the
marsh in 1803 providing stagecoach service, later, a horse railway, and in 1860 an electric trolley car between
Salem and Boston, and finally, the current automobile roadway. This road bisected the marsh in a roughly
north-south direction. The 2,3-mile (3,7-kilometer) roadway crossing of the marsh prevented sheet water flow
7 Spartina alterniflora has been reclassified as Sporobolus alterniflorus after a taxonomic revision in 2014. Spartina patens has
been reclassified as Sporobolus pumilus.
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across the high marsh surface, restricting tidal flow to four relatively small bridges at the major rivers and
creeks in the marsh (Figure 2).
Rumney Marsh
Historical Wetland Impacts
1803 - 2007
iauqusj
Wetland Alterations
| Fill Area (1,258 acres)
Excavation Area (87 acres)
Figure 2. Rumney Marsh historical wetland impacts 1803-2007. Approximately 1,258 acres, 43% of the marsh, has been filled, as
shown in red. The yellow shaded area depicts 87 acres where salt marsh had been dredged or excavated. The upper estuary area is
not depicted.
A public works project in 1928 filled more than 300 acres (120 hectares) at the mouth of the estuary in Lynn
for the Lynn Harbor Improvement and Nuisance Abatement project. Landfills in Saugus filled approximately
200 acres (80 hectares) of marsh. The Saugus landfill eliminated tidal flow across the width of the marsh
preventing the normal spring tide sheet flows across the high salt marsh between the Saugus River and Pines
River on the downstream side of Route 107 (Figures 1 and 2). The 1930s brought about marsh reclamation
work in salt marshes, which constructed grid ditches for drainage and mosquito control. In the late 1940s or
early 1950's in Revere, two large excavations were made in the marsh, one of which was used for a short time
as a seaplane basin. The underlying sands and clay soils from the marsh were used for the construction of
Logan International Airport. In the 1950s, the Pines River was channelized by the Metropolitan District
Commission for a flood control project at Town Line Brook.
According to studies by the USAGE, the ongoing development of Lynn, Saugus, and Revere between 1951 and
1971 resulted in a total of 613 acres (248 hectares) of salt marsh loss (about 33% of salt marsh resources) over
that 20-year period (USAGE 1989a). EPA's analysis of historical wetland impacts from 1803-2007 revealed
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approximately 43% of the original marsh had been filled for commercial, industrial, and residential
development, largely in the twentieth century. Fill areas encompass approximately 1,258 acres (509 hectares)
of salt marsh, intertidal, and subtidal area of the total estimated 2,908-acre (1,177 hectares) estuary. An
additional 86 acres (35 hectares) of salt marsh were altered by excavation for gravel, construction of the
Seaplane Basin adjacent to the Revere Airport (now part of Northgate Shopping Center), relocation of the
Pines River, and construction of drainage channels associated with the abandoned 1-95 project (Figure 2).
Between 1967 and 1969, approximately 120 acres (49 hectares) of Rumney Marsh were filled with six million
cubic yards (4.6 million cubic meters) of sand and gravel, creating an embankment 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers)
long for the 1-95 project that was never completed (Figure 1). Extending from Route 1 in Revere, adjacent to
the Pines River across the full width of Rumney Marsh to East Saugus, the embankment filled in the original
meandering Pines River channels and the East Branch of the Pines River, adversely affecting tidal flooding and
drainage patterns. Figure 3 depicts the outline of the embankment fill on a 1960 aerial photo. Tidal creeks in
East Saugus, which were severed by the embankment, were relocated to a "temporary" drainage channel
which directed flow to a single rock-armored Pines River channel. The 1-95 project was later abandoned in
1972, leaving the embankment in place. Details from the 1966 USACE permit under Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act of 1899, are provided in figures 4-6. Only a narrow rock armored channel was left for
drainage and tidal flow to 444 acres (180 hectares) of wetlands located west of the embankment (Figure 6),
Figure 3. Air photo (courtesy USGS) from May 1, I960, showing the Pines River and its branches as well as the future 1-95 highway
embankment outlined in purple.
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Prop&r /y
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Zb.Dt
EL.45.0O T<3p of PrOf-.
&urcfio/y*
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40
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20 0
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TEMPORARY DRAINAGE CHANNEL
40
Horizontal
Elevotlons on in feat and tenths and
refer to USCBGS Mean Sea Level
Datum of 1929.
Proposed Temporary Channel-
Relocation and Fill
in PINES RIVER
at SAUGUS
County of: ESSEX
State of: MASSACHUSETTS
Application by:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
100 NASHUA ST., BOSTON, MASS.
Sheet 2 of 3 Date Jan.,1966
Figure 5. Sheet 2 of 3 from USACE permit file 1966-00038 plan shows details for the embankment construction and the drainage
channel which was constructed along the embankment in Saugus.
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Top of Prop. Surcharge
EU 16.00 Approx. _R_oaat_wa^ _Prof_[lc
Highest Water EL. 10.14-3
Approx
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Navy
Yard
Note
RocKfill to M.L.W.
Riprap to EL. 8.00
Proposed Bottom of
Channel EL.- 10.00
SHOWING
SECTION
RELOCATED
SCALES OF FEET
Vertical
O
Horizontal
0
Elevations are In
refer to USCBG5
Datum ot 1929
feet and tenths and
Mean Sea Level
EL. 8.00
Width of Proposed
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Exist.
Width of Propoposed
Channel at M. L.W.
B-B
TEMPORARY CHANNEL
Proposed Temporary Channel -
Relocation and Fill
in PINES RIVER
at SAUGUS
County of ESSEX
State of: MASSACHUSETTS
Application by:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
100 NASHUA ST., BOSTON,MASS.
Sheet 3 of 3 Date Jan., 19 66
Rev. Sept., 1966
Figure 6. Sheet 3 of 3 from USACE permit file 1966-00038for the relocated Pines River Crossings shows the armored crossing
dimensions and depth.
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In 1972, during consideration of the environmental impacts for the construction of 1-95 through Boston,
Massachusetts, Governor Francis Sargent stopped the highway project for social and environmental reasons.
While the damage to Rumney Marsh was already done, the highway would have also bisected Lynn Woods
Reservation, a 2,200-acre (890-hectare) municipal forest park in Lynn.
Extensive flooding across southern New England occurred during a February 6-7, 1978, blizzard which was
considered a 100-year tidal flood event. The tidal flooding affected low lying areas surrounding both the Pines
and Saugus River estuary with flood levels reported to elevation 11.0 feet NGVD29. The elevation of the marsh
in East Saugus was 5-6 feet NGVD29, whereas high water was surveyed there at 10.5 feet NGVD29. This is due
to an astronomically high tide of 6.9 feet combined with a storm surge of 3.4 feet (USACE 1989e).
In 1988, when the highway layout land was no longer needed for highway purposes, the original landowners
attempted to regain title for commercial development. The land, however, was kept in public ownership for
flood control and recreational purposes and transferred to the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The
land is now managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).8
Removal of the abandoned highway embankment and restoration of the marsh are specifically included as
goals in the August 22, 1988, designation of the marsh as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).9
Approximately 37 acres (15 hectares) of salt marsh and intertidal areas have already been restored to date by
embankment fill removal projects, as mitigation for aquatic impacts elsewhere. This represents about 31% of
the original embankment fill footprint impacts to wetlands. These projects were required to maintain a
continuous flood control berm across the marsh based on the belief that the narrow opening of the
embankment was restricting the tides to the upper marsh and, thereby, providing flood protection to
properties abutting the marsh.
On July 11,1989, a "Care and Control Agreement Between the Town of Saugus and the Metropolitan District
Commission" (now DCR) was signed that requires, in part, the maintenance of a minimum height flood control
berm. The specific provision states:
"3. No further sand removal, beyond that necessary and approved for The Revere Beach Erosion Control
Project will occur except in conjunction with reservation construction, landscaping, or any program of
marsh restoration. The flood protection barrier will be maintained at a minimum height of 13.5 N.G. V.D."
In 1990 the USACE responded to comments submitted regarding the Saugus River and Tributaries Flood
Reduction Project. EPA, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Massachusetts
Coastal Zone Management requested the USACE evaluate breaching the 1-95 embankment, concurrent with
the project for environmental restoration of the marsh. Additionally, this would serve as mitigation of project
impacts to the aquatic environment. In a reply to comments from the National Marine Fisheries Service letter
dated April 17,1990, the USACE stated:
"The complete removal of the 1-95 fill is not part of this project's required mitigation. The MDC currently
intends to use the embankment as a linear park but would entertain partial use for ecological
8 EOEA Number 8369 MEPA Certificate for the Saugus 143-Acre transfer dated October 11,1990
9 https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/pf/rm-des.pdf
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enhancement. It is unknown whether breaching the fill will provide significant additional flushing or by
how much. Route 107 may be the significant constriction."10
Pursuant to their mission of Environmental Protection established by Section 306 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1990, the USACE investigated breaching the abandoned 1-95 embankment to restore the
functioning of the salt marsh. Between 1990 and 1993, the USACE Hydraulics Laboratory, Waterways
Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi (now called Engineering Research and Development Center -
ERDC), undertook a numerical model investigation of the estuary hydraulics.11 The USACE Hydraulics
Laboratory specifically evaluated an intentional breaching of the abandoned 1-95 embankment to improve
tidal inundation to the upper Pines River wetlands. The USACE estimated that intentional breaching where the
East Branch of the Pines River was cut off by the embankment, and widening of the existing Pines River
channel, would increase the peak tides by about 0.5 feet (15 cm) during spring tides. The USACE also
estimated that the breaching would decrease the time to peak water level delay from two hours to one hour.
Between 1991-1993, the USACE developed plans to restore degraded wetlands and increase tide levels to
nearly 500 acres of wetlands hydrologically impacted by the abandoned highway embankment. This plan to
breach the embankment and widen the Pines River channel was intended to follow the construction of the
regional floodgate. This is because without the regional floodgate, the expected increased tidal flooding to the
marsh would impact about 30 homes and several commercial properties that border the shoreline in East
Saugus and as many as 140 homes in the adjacent neighborhood. While the land bordering the salt marsh
edge already has a berm which is approximately 1-2 feet high, the USACE plans included walls or berms to
protect the area from increased tidal flooding.12
In 1993, the Saugus River Floodgate Project was deauthorized after the Secretary of Environmental Affairs
opposed the construction. Currently, renewed interest in the project by the communities, along with the
Governor's interest to help communities facing flooding from sea level rise, may help to restart the project.
In 1996, local, state, and federal stakeholders began to develop a salt marsh restoration plan for Rumney
Marsh and Belle Isle Marsh, which is also included in the Rumney Marshes ACEC. In May 2002, following
nearly six years of work, the Wetland Restoration Program at the Department of Environmental Management
(part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs), published the
Rumney Marshes Area of Critical Environmental Concern Salt Marsh Restoration Plan.13 This plan identifies
projects that had already been constructed, as well as potential future salt marsh restoration projects in
Boston, Revere, and Saugus. To update and maintain a resource for wetland restoration planning in Rumney
Marsh, EPA created the Rumney Marsh Restoration Areas map (Figure 7).14
Between 2009 and 2012, three bridges on State Route 107 which crosses Rumney Marsh, just downstream of
the abandoned 1-95 highway embankment, were reconstructed by the Massachusetts Highway Department
(Mass Highway). The bridges were purposely reconstructed with longer spans to improve tidal flow and
flushing and decrease erosive conditions. In addition, the low chord of the bridges was raised in height to
provide safer recreational navigation in the marsh.
10 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA235142.pdf
11 https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a266336.pdf
12 https://saugusriverfloodgate.com/the-proiect/restoration-plan-features
13 https://www.mass.gov/doc/rumnev-marshes-acec-salt-marsh-restoration-plan/download
14 https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-07/documents/rumney-marsh-restoration-areas.pdf
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Wetland Protection and Restoration Efforts
Massachusetts enacted the first wetland protection legislation in the nation in 1963. The Federal Clean Water
Act, enacted in 1972, created a federal wetland permit program to regulate alteration of wetlands. Coastal
wetland filling, however, was commonly permitted until the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act was
amended in 1978 with regulations for the protection of coastal wetlands. These state regulations and
subsequent changes have nearly halted legally permitted losses of salt marsh.15
Pursuant to requirements under the Federal Clean Water Act and the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act,
permits are required for certain activities in coastal wetlands. Local Conservation Commissions must issue
Orders of Conditions for work in coastal resource areas subject to state guidance and regulations.16
Massachusetts has one of the strongest regulations in the country regarding the protection of salt marsh. Salt
marsh is rarely allowed to be permanently impacted, except for certain projects that clearly have no
alternatives and are in the public interest. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and pursuant to the
Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, unavoidable impacts to wetlands will generally require mitigation such
as wetland restoration or creation.
Efforts to remove the abandoned 1-95 embankment have been complicated to date, based on the belief that
fill removal which breaches the embankment, would increase tidal flooding to developed property on the
upstream side. Removal was first considered in 1985, when 800,000 cubic yards (611,643 cubic meters) of
embankment sands and gravel fill were excavated and placed on Revere Beach by the USACE. The project
lowered the height of the embankment fill in Saugus to within four to five feet (1-1.5 meter) of the original
marsh surface, while maintaining a continuous higher flood protection berm across the marsh. As part of the
agreements for that project, 15 cents per cubic yard was to be provided for marsh restoration by others. The
money, however, was never allocated toward restoration projects.
The August 22, 1988, designation of the Rumney Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern brought new
attention to the marsh and included a goal to remove the abandoned highway embankment and restore the
marsh.17 Restoration efforts to date have beneficially reused several million cubic yards of the original
embankment fill for various public highway projects, starting in the 1980s with the Peabody Connector project
at 1-95 and Route 128.
Numerous large public works projects starting in the 1990s removed portions of the 1-95 fill embankment to
mitigate aquatic resource impacts that occurred elsewhere. The Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project,
the USACE Roughans Point Shore Protection Project, and the USACE Saugus River Navigation project each
restored intertidal habitat by excavation and grading activities to mitigate loss of intertidal habitat elsewhere.
In 2016, a runway safety project at Logan International Airport by the Massachusetts Port Authority
(MassPort) and the Nahant Causeway improvement by the DCR contributed to additional removal of fill and
restoration of intertidal areas and salt marsh. The acreage of habitat that was restored for each of these
projects is provided in Appendix B.
15 https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-1000-the-wetlands-protection-act/download
16 https://www.mass.gov/doc/applving-the-massachusetts-coastal-wetlands-regulations-a-practical-manual-for- conservation/download
17 https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/pf/rm-des.pdf
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Excavation for the DCR's Winthrop Shores Beach Nourishment Project removed an additional 280,000 cubic
yards (214,000 cubic meters) of fill material in Saugus in 2015. This excavation reduced the width of the
abandoned embankment at the northern end near Ballard Street, in conjunction with an intended salt marsh
and flood improvement project (cover photo). About 6.1 acres (2.4 hectares) adjacent to this portion of the
embankment are now at elevations low enough that wetlands have developed in the excavated area.
However, a berm was left in place, separating it from the adjacent Ballard Street Salt Marsh. If project funding
can be found, and permit plans agreed upon, restoration of improved tidal flows to the Ballard Street Salt
Marsh would allow for another 34.5 acres (14 hectares) of wetland restoration.
The restoration projects at the abandoned 1-95 embankment completed to date have cumulatively restored 37
acres (15 hectares) of salt marsh and intertidal areas. This represents about 31% of the original embankment
fill footprint impacts to wetlands. EPA estimates that an additional 50 acres (20.3 hectares) of embankment
can be removed. Additional areas of salt marsh can be restored along the eroding "temporary" drainage
channel, following the restoration of the East Branch of the Pines River crossing.
While the height and width of the embankment have been reduced by these fill removal projects, all were
required to retain a portion of the embankment for flood protection. EPA's 2019 tidal water level study
revealed that the embankment does not reduce tidal flooding. This finding will allow continued removal of the
embankment, restoration of the former tidal creeks, and sheet flow across the restored marsh surface, which
will, in turn, improve marsh resilience to rising sea level.
Figure 7 depicts the locations of the tidal restrictions (bridges) that were reconstructed, as well as the status of
various fill removals and tide gates (details for each area can be found in Appendix B). The locations of the
former tidal channels that were altered by embankment construction are depicted in the blue dotted lines.18
Figure 8 is a 2021 aerial photo showing the retained flood protection berms (outlined in red) surrounding
three completed wetland restoration projects in Saugus. The former waterways are depicted in blue and white
dashes. The map depicts a suggested fill removal focus area that would be a high priority for restoring marsh
habitat and drainage across the marsh. Removal of the area outlined in red would allow for the restoration of
sheet flow across 3,200 linear feet of the East Saugus Marsh, while also restoring drainage and tidal flow at
the East Branch of the Pines River. Restoring the severed former waterway crossings would decrease erosive
conditions by lowering the velocity of tidal water flow.
18 https://www.epa.gov/svstem/files/documents/2022-01/rumnev-marsh-restoration-areas-2022.pdf
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Rumney Marsh
Restoration Areas
Saugus
Proposed MBTAl
I Salt Marsh
| Mitigation Site |
Revere
,to Boston
f" y . Wetlands,
/ M Elevation:
/ m Mass GIS.
J Land Fill Areas
w delineated using
JW current MADEP
w wetlands layer, 1903
" and 1943 USGS topo-
graphic maps, and Digital
Globe 2007 aerial imagery.
Basemap: DigitalGlobe.
Total Restoration Area:* 313.3 acres
1 Complete 89.2 acres
(=~ Potential Upland Fill Removal Area 67,6 acres
~ Invasive Species I Insufficient Tidal Flow 156,5
Historical Wetland Fill Since 1803: 1,258 acres
Estimated 45% Loss of Original Rumney Marsh
EPA Region 1 GIS Center
Map #11801, 1/19/2022
Successful Project - . . Insufficient tidal
Sufficient tidal flow; ' . flow to maintain a
(-9.5' tidal range) Restrictions* healthy salt marsh:
FT] Self-Regulating Tide Gate |
£ Culvert £
Flap Gate ^
4 Lisl: Page 3 Bridge/Waterway ~
Salt Marsh
0.5 Kilometer
Historical Creek
Figure 7. EPA Rumney Marsh Restoration Areas map depicts locations and status of various fill removals, restoration projects, and tidal
restrictions (details for each area can be found in Appendix B). The locations of the former tidal channels that were altered by embankment
construction are depicted in the blue dotted lines.
To restore this area, approximately 113,000 cubic yards (cy) would need to be excavated. The excavated
material could be used to restore additional salt marsh by filling portions of the constructed "temporary"
drainage channel. Additional areas of embankment removal, including the widening of the Pines River
crossing, would require a total of approximately 208,000 cubic yards of excavation.19 Some of this excavated
material can be used to restore salt marsh within the "temporary" channel that would no longer be needed.
19 The following were volumes computed for a 60-foot-wide berm at elevation 13.5 feet NGVD29 and a base at elevation 5.0,130
feet in width: site #13 @ 53,000 cy; #18 @ 30,000 cy; #23 @ 30,000 cy; #29 @ 27,000 cy; and widen Pines River opening @69,000
cy for a total of 208,000 cy. These volumes were calculated based on removal of retained embankments adjacent to completed
restoration sites 13,18, 23, and 29 shown in Figure 7,
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Figure 8. Satellite photo from 2021 ofRumney Marsh abandoned 1-95 embankment showing the retained flood protection berm that
would be a high priority for removal to restore marsh habitat and drainage across the marsh.
Previous Hydrology Studies
Between 1986-1993, the USACE performed numerous hydrology studies for the proposed regional floodgate.
USAGE studies reported that the restriction to tidal water flow from the embankment lowered the highest
tides of the year by 0.5 feet (15 cm) at Town Line Brook in Revere, and as much as 1.7 feet (50 cm) in East
Saugus (USACE 1989). Similarly, the USACE model, which included intentional widening of the Pines River
Channel, and creation of a new channel at the East Branch of the Pines River, predicted that Spring High Tides
would increase by 0.5 feet (15 cm).20
Tidal observations were made by the New England Division of the USACE and USGS during a storm event on
January 2,1987. The results showed that that the peak water level reached elevation 9.5 feet NGVD29 in the
Pines River at the Town Line Brook, which was nearly the same as at the Fox Hill Drawbridge on the Saugus
River, where the peak water level reached elevation 9,57 feet NGVD29. The USACE wrote:
"It can be seen that in general, for significant storm tides, water levels are less impacted by restrictions
(i.e., bridge openings, 1-95 embankment, etc.) than they are at normal spring tides. This can be seen by
comparing the water levels of Fox Hill drawbridge and estimated water levels for Town Line Brook20
20 https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a266336.pdf
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which show almost no difference. In comparison the corresponding spring tide differences were
approximately 0.5 foot lower" (USACE 1989c).
From the same storm event of January 2,1987, the high-water mark was estimated for the Pines River Marsh
at East Saugus as 8.5 feet NGVD29, which is 1.0 feet lower than at the Town Line Brook Tide gate structure.
The lower estimated tidal water level at East Saugus was likely caused by frictional dampening of the tide by
the marsh vegetation.
USACE also observed that the embankment restricts drainage by acting as a dam at extreme low tides, not
allowing the upstream area to drain completely. The USACE stated:
"The upper Pines River is impacted by the flow constriction in the abandoned 1-95 embankment which
does not allow the ponded area upstream from the embankment to drain freely. This was first noted
during tide measurement on May 18,1987. A value of-5.1 feet NGVD was measured at the Fox Hill
drawbridge at dead low tide. Visual inspection of the 1-95 constriction shortly thereafter during another
low tide condition revealed that the constriction acts as a dam at extreme low tide (tides below
elevation -3.0 NGVD), not allowing the upstream area to drain completely" (USACE, 1989c).
Route 107 Bridges Reconstruction
Three bridges along the Pines River in Saugus and Revere on State Route 107 were reconstructed by the
Massachusetts Highway Department (Mass Highway) between 2009-2012. The bridges reconstruction, using
longer and higher spans over the waterways, restored a more normal tidal hydrology throughout the Pines
River estuary. EPA's involvement with the bridge project started many years earlier in 1995, when the project
was first introduced to the Corps of Engineers and other federal and state agencies. At that time, three issues
were raised with respect to the project:
1. Elevation of the low chord of the bridge with respect to recreational boat passage beneath the
structures.
2. The possibility of increasing tidal flux to up-estuary areas by means of increasing the hydraulic
opening of the bridges; and
3. Public safety issues arising from the fact that Route 107 is closed during some storm events owing
to overtopping of the causeway.
Due to the low elevation of the former steel bridge support beams, they were subject to inundation at the
highest tides. Consequently, the former bridges restricted river flow, causing increased water velocity. This, in
turn, caused bank erosion, increased turbidity, and sedimentation. These concerns were resolved by raising
the low chord of the bridges by about 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) to provide 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) minimum
clearance for recreational boat passage, as measured from Mean High Water. MHW was shown as elevation
5.0 NGVD29 in the 2006 Water Quality Certification, which would require a low chord minimum of 8.5 feet
NGVD29.
The conversion of tidal datums can be calculated using the National Geodetic Survey Coordinate Conversion
and Transformation Tool (NCAT).21 For Rumney Marsh, the correction factor for orthometric height varies
21 https://geodesv.noaa.gov/NCAT/
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from -0.89 to -0.93, depending on location. We chose to use an average of -0.91 as an approximate correction
factor. Therefore, the low chord would be about 7.6 feet NAVD8S. The tidal flushing issue was resolved by
lengthening the bridges as well as increasing their height. These changes have restored a more normal tidal
hydrology throughout the Pines River estuary.
Bridge R-05-009 over Diamond Creek (Figure 7, site S) was replaced with a single span structure 60-feet in
length (18.3 meters), tripling the existing opening to enhance tidal flushing. The horizontal clearance, as
measured from Mean Low Water (MLW), did not change. However, as measured from MHW, the horizontal
clearance increased from 26.5 feet (8 meters) to 57.5 feet (17.5 meters).22 The tripled length of the opening
in conjunction with the sloped riprap was expected to expand the hydraulic opening by over 40% according to
an August 7,1996, memo from the design consultant. Evaluating the cross section of the bridge, however, we
estimate the hydraulic improvements provide a 60% increase in channel capacity measured from MLW to
MHW water levels and a 96% increase for the full height of the bridge opening (Figure 10).
Bridge R-05-007=S-05-002 over the Pines River (Figure 7, site O) was replaced with a three-span structure that
provided a 28% increase in the opening to enhance tidal flushing according to the application information.
Horizontal clearance as measured from MLW did not change. However, as measured from MHW, horizontal
clearance increased from 116 feet (35.4 meters) to 147 feet (44.7 meters).23 EPA estimates this provided a
13% increase in flow capacity at MHW levels and a 29% increase at the full height opening (Figure 10).
Bridge S-05-003 over the East Branch of the Pines River (Figure 7, site G) in Saugus was also replaced with a
single span structure, 60 feet in length (18.2 meters), tripling the existing opening to enhance tidal flushing.
Horizontal clearance, as measured from MLW, did not change. However, as measured from MHW, horizontal
clearance increased from 20.5 feet (6.2 meters) to 57.5 feet (17.5 meters).24 The photographs in figure 9
depict this bridge during and after completion. The increased length of the bridge in conjunction with the
sloped riprap expanded the hydraulic opening at MHW by 93% and by 139% for the full opening (Figure 10).
Figure 9. During and after construction photographs of the East Branch Pines River bridge S-5-3 crossing show how the vertical walls
of the former bridge were changed to a riprap slope, which increased channel conveyance. Photo credit Ed Reiner.
22 Massachusetts Water Quality Certification transmittal W071542
23 Massachusetts Water Quality Certification transmittal W071543
24 Massachusetts Water Quality Certification transmittal W071541
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Horizontal Clearance (feet) | Vertical Clearance (feet) Cross-Sectional Area (square feet)
Cross-Sectional Area (square feet)
Existing
Proposed | Existing
Proposed 10-foot tidal range only
Full Height of Opening
Bridge
MHW
MLW
MHW
MLW MHW
MLW
MHW
MLW | Existing
Proposed
Increase
Existing
Proposed
Increase
R-5-9
26.5
26.5
57.5
26.5 1.91
11.91
3.5
13.5 265
425
60%
316
620
96%
R-5-7 = S-5-2
116.3
116.3
146.7
116.3 2.2
12.2
3.5
13.5 1163
1316
13%
1418
1836
29%
S-5-3
20.5
20.5
57.5
20.5 2.56
12.16
3.5
13.5 [ 205
395
93%
249
596
139%
0 25 50 75 100 feet
Figure 10. Graphic depiction of the three Route 107 bridges dimensional clearances used to calculate the percent increase in cross
sectional area at both the MHW level and the full height of the bridge opening.
During the 1999 permit review for the bridge project, Mass Highway agreed to include two new 48-inch (1.22
m) culverts to improve tidal flow and flushing at two additional areas of the marsh. This work replaced a
buried 12-inch (0.375 m) culvert under the DCR access road from Route 107 (adjacent to site 27 in Figure 7).
This new culvert on the DCR access road increased the tidal flow and flushing between the Pines River and the
East Branch of the Pines River, which contributes to additional improvements in the tidal flow and flushing in
the marsh. The second new culvert replaced a failed culvert along Route 107 near the East Branch of the Pines
River, restoring tidal flow to a salt marsh adjacent to the road (Figure 7, site 19).
RESULTS
2018 Bathymetry study
A bathymetry study was undertaken in 2018 to document the depth along the Pines River as it passes the
railroad bridge, Route 107 Pines River Bridge, and the 1-95 embankment (Figure 11). Depth along the East
Branch of the Pines River as well as the Pines River Channel was also measured. Due to the low vertical
clearance at the railroad bridge and Route 107 bridges, this study was done by kayak. Depth measurements
were obtained using a depth gauge (H22PX - HawkEye® Handheld Sonar System) to log depth of the water
paired with a GPS device to log location (at a meter accuracy level). The depth measurements were manually
input to the GPS device to create a record with time, depth, and position.
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These GPS records were post-processed with Trimble Pathfinder Office to a mean horizontal accuracy of less
than one meter. While the soundings were collected as feet below the survey vessel, the local tidal range of
almost ten feet required that we adjust these depths using NOAA tidal measurements, by correlating their
time stamps. We converted the surveyed depths to NAVD88, the datum of most other local data.
The bathymetry study revealed significant scour holes at the railroad crossing, Route 107 bridge and the 1-95
embankment opening along the Pines River. Scour holes typically form at bridges or culverts due to the
Pines River Depth Soundings
r
_ .. . _ Bottom Elevation
7/11/2018, 7/16/2018 (F®et, navdss)
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J
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Figure 11. July 2018 results from Bathymetry study Pines River, Pines River Channel and East Branch Pines River in Saugus
and Revere Massachusetts.
increased flows through undersized structures. Normally, water flows across the high marsh surface in a
manner which decreases the velocity and drops sediment on the marsh surface. Rumney Marsh is unique in
that tidal water must flow through three consecutive restrictions before it breaks the plane of Mean High
Water to flood the high marsh platform. The restrictions to tidal flow, as previously discussed, include the
Eastern Railroad, constructed in the 1830's, Route 107 (Salem Turnpike), first constructed in 1803, and the
1967-1969 construction of the 1-95 embankment.
Our study found the bottom channel elevation at the 1-95 embankment crossing is generally at elevation -9 to
-10 feet NAVDS8. Scour holes outside of the rock armored crossing, however, reveal bottom elevations of -26
to -33 feet NAVD88. The scour holes at the railroad crossing have the deepest depths, with measured
elevations at -22 to -47 feet NAVD88, The scour holes at the Route 107 bridge measured -24 to -38 feet
NAVD88. The deeper scour hole on the downstream side of the crossings demonstrates an ebb dominant tidal
regime with significant current velocities (Appendix Figure B3).
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A study by the Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station found the maximum velocity in the channel
of the Pines River at the 1-95 embankment opening was 6.3 feet per second (FPS) at the surface. This was the
highest velocity water flow found during the study. Ebb tides had a stronger current, which was consistent
with the EPA study finding deeper scour holes on the downstream side. According to the USACE, freshwater
inflow to the area did not contribute significantly to channel flow (USACE, 1991). The average rate of saltwater
interchange to the estuary calculated as 9,400 cubic feet per second (CFS) is approximately 100 times the
average freshwater inflow from the watershed at 80 CFS (USACE, 1989e).
Figure 12 is a graphic representation of the scour hole depths at each of the three tidal restrictions. The
greater depth of the downstream scour holes is indicative of ebb dominant tidal flows.
2018 Bathymetry Study Scour Holes
¦ Upstream ¦ Downstream
Figure 12. Depth of scour holes at three tidal restrictions in Rumney Marsh.
Our study also showed the depth along the constructed drainage channel on the west side of the abandoned I-
95 embankment became shallower with the distance from the relocated Pines River channel. The channel
becomes narrower and eventually was shallow enough to support Spartina alterniflora. During our
investigation, we observed significant erosion of the salt marsh along the constructed drainage channel
(Figure 13).
According to the USACE 1966 permit, (Figure 5, Section C-C) this "temporary" drainage channel was intended
to have a 2:1 side slope, an overall bank to bank width of 42 feet, and a MHW width of 28 feet. The channel
has widened considerably over time due to peat bank erosion. Bare peat is subject to erosion by currents and
minor wave action. The resulting undermined salt marsh creekbank edges break off without support.
Burrowing crabs may contribute to the erosion process by their cavernous excavations. This erosion process is
expected to continue without intervention.
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Figure 13. Photograph of the constructed "temporary" drainage channel in East Saugus looking south toward Revere taken February
23, 2022. The channel in some places is more than twice the original constructed width due to erosion of the salt marsh peat banks.
Photo credit Ed Reiner.
2019 Tidol Water Level Study
The purpose of the water level study was to evaluate if removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment at
Rumney Marsh in Revere and Saugus, to restore the salt marsh, tidal creeks, and previous drainage patterns,
would increase tidal flooding over present conditions. The 2019 study included an investigation of tidal water
levels on both sides of the three tidal restrictions in the Pines River to determine how each of the road or rail
crossings in the marsh affect tidal flooding since the reconstruction of the Route 107 bridges.
In addition, we evaluated the tidal restriction at the Ballard Street Salt Marsh in Saugus to document tidal
flows. The Town of Saugus performed repairs to the culvert in January 2022. Repairs included new inlet and
outlet structures and installation of a top hinged manually adjustable vertical sluice gate (combination gate)
on the outlet structure. The town is required to comply with a tide gate Operation and Maintenance Plan
which includes monitoring and reporting requirements pursuant to conditions in the Department of the Army
permit.25 Water level data from the Ballard Street Culvert investigation was previously provided to the Town
of Saugus for their use and is not included in this report.
25 Department of the Army No. NAE-2004-04377
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Tidol Level Study Methods
In order to evaluate if removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment at Rumney Marsh would increase tidal
flooding over present conditions, we collected tidal water level measurements using Onset HOBO U-Series
Water Level pressure transducers installed at seven strategically selected stations throughout the marsh
(Figure 14).26 The loggers were deployed just above the sediment during low tide. Installation methods at
most sites used a steel fencepost pounded into the sediment to allow attachment of the transducer in a fixed
vertical orientation except at one location, at site D (Figure 14), where we attached the transducerto a metal
truck tire chuck to allow a more discreet installation at the public pier facility. We followed manufacturer's
guidance for use of the HOBO pressure transducers and EPA New England Region 1 SOP.27
The stations were selected based on the need to collect data on both sides of the potential tidal restrictions in
the Pines River estuary; the railroad, Route 107, and the abandoned 1-95 embankment. In addition, a station
was in the Saugus River upstream of Route 107, as well as within the Ballard Street Salt Marsh.28
Francis Choi, from Northeastern University Marine Science Institute, surveyed the elevations of the pressure
transducers using a Trimble R8 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system
which provides 8-mm horizontal and 15-mm maximum vertical precision (0.59 inches).29 The R8 unit was
calibrated to the NOAA benchmark in Lynn Harbor to NAVD88 (m). Typical error in R8 vertical measurements
is +/- 5cm (2 inches). Unit F installed upstream of the 1-95 embankment in East Saugus was fastened to a tide
gauge on a fence post previously installed by MassPort, providing a potential data accuracy check and
additional means to evaluate water levels.
Readings were collected at six-minute intervals starting on April 16, 2019, and continued for 142 days, until
battery failure on September 5, 2019. We discovered that the transducer at the lower Pines River (site B)
reached a maximum memory limit and shut down automatically on July 15, after 90 days.
26 https://www.onsetcomp.com/products/data-loggers/u20-Q01-01
27 HOBO Water Temp Pro v2, Conductivity, & Water Level Logger SOP Revision 112/27/11, EPA New England Regional Laboratory.
28 The data collected from the Ballard Street Salt Marsh and Saugus River was collected for a separate study and is not included in
this report.
29 https://geospatial.trimble.com/eol?dcs=Collection-19571&pt=Trimble%20R8%20GNSS%20Receiver
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Rumney Marsh
2019 Water Level Study
Basemap: ESRI, DeLorme, USGS, NPS.
NOAA and the GIS User Community.
EPA Region 1 GIS Center Map #11801
Figure 14. Map of Rumney Marsh showing locations of pressure transducers deployed in 2019. A - Ballard Street salt marsh, B -
Lower Pines River, C - Upstream Railroad, D - Saugus River, E - Upstream 1-95, F - East Saugus, arid G - Upstream Route 107.
Unit A (Ballard St. salt marsh) was installed within the creek on the inside of the Ballard Street salt marsh
adjacent to the four-foot round (1.3 m) culvert. This culvert, at the time of the study, was fitted with a
temporary plate of steel chained to a deteriorating headwall to function as a makeshift tide gate for flood
control purposes (Figure 15). The tides within the Ballard Street salt marsh are muted by the restrictive size
culvert, as well as the makeshift tide gate, which was raised by six-inches (15-cm) at the invert to provide for
fish passage and tidal flow to sustain the interior salt marsh. The Ballard Street salt marsh also receives flow
from a culvert adjacent to Route 107 at a discontinued portion of Bristow Street (Figure 16). Tidal flow and
drainage at this culvert flows to the reconstructed Route 107 bridge, which conveys the East Branch of the
Pines River (Figure 9).
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Figure 15. (left) Former Ballard Street Culvert and makeshift tide gate.
Figure 16. (right) Bristow Street culvert provides tidal flow arid drainage to the Ballard Street salt marsh from the East Branch Pines
River bridge on Route 107. Photo credit Ed Reiner.
Unit B (Lower Pines) was installed below the pier at North Shore Marine on the Pines River. Water levels at
this location, according to studies by the USAGE, are similar to those out of the estuary in Broad Sound and
closely resemble the Boston Harbor tide gauge data 30 (USACE, 1990).
Unit C (Upstream Railroad) was installed on the downstream side of the Route 107 bridge at the East Branch
of the Pines River, so water levels at this site reflect the tide restriction from the railroad crossing alone.
Unit D (Saugus River) was installed at the Lobsterman's pier and floats at the Harold L. Vitale Memorial Park
on the Saugus River, upstream of the Belden Bly drawbridge on Route 107.
Unit E (Upstream 1-95) was installed within the constructed Pines River channel at the northern outlet from
the DCR salt marsh restoration area on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment.
Unit F (East Saugus) was installed on a physical tide gauge along the Pines River constructed channel at the
northern outlet of the MassPort salt marsh restoration area.
Unit G (Upstream Route 107) was installed upstream of Route 107, but downstream of the 1-95 embankment,
to discern the relative effects of both the railroad crossing and Route 107. Photos of each of the stations A-F
are depicted in Figure 17.
30 https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/statiorihome.html?id=8443970
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Figure 17. Photographs of the pressure transducer installations at sites A - Ballard Street, B-Lower Pines River, C-Upstream
Railroad, D-Saugus River, E- Upstream 1-95, F-EastSaugus, and G- Upstream 107. Photo credit Ed Reiner.
After retrieval of the units, the water pressure data from the transducers was downloaded and converted into
water level with the use of Onset HOBOware software.31 A constant barometric pressure of 101.010 (kPA)
(measurement before deployment) was used as a baseline (an option under the barometric compensation
assistant). The data was later adjusted using barometric pressure obtained from Northeastern University
Marine Science Institute equipment installed nearby at the Oak Island tide gate in Revere. Sensor depth was
31 https://www.orisetcomp.com/products/software/hoboware/
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then normalized to the NAVD 88 measurement at each site to calculate water level at NAVD88 (m) from the
initial elevation measurements of the pressure transducers by the Trimble R8 GNSS RTK.32 We converted the
data to feet and tenths to allow direct comparison with past studies at the marsh.
The water level data collected since deployment on April 16, 2019, was downloaded on June 7, 2019, after 52
days. The units were then reinstalled and obtained data for an additional 90 days. One unit (G, upstream
Route 107), however, required movement of the fence post due to erosion of a salt marsh bank and sediment
which accumulated at the transducer. The sensor was reinstalled 0.5 feet higher on the fence post, which
required an adjustment to the elevation after June 7, at 11:00 am. When the data was retrieved, it was
discovered that the adjustment to elevation was made by subtraction of 0.5 feet when it should have been by
addition. To rectify this, we adjusted the downloaded elevations by adding 1.0 feet, which appears to
correlate well with the water level measurements from the previous period. Because of the potential
introduced error when we moved the sensor, we decided to evaluate the two sets of data separately.
The barometric pressure corrected water level data for each of the five units was input to NOAA's Tidal Datum
Calculator to determine the tidal datums.33 For this study, focusing on potential flooding impacts, we
examined the tidal datum metrics of Mean High Water (MHW), Mean Higher High Water (MHHW), and
reported the maximum tide to evaluate if there is a tidal restriction affecting flooding at higher tides. MHHW
is the higher of the two daily tides, whereas MHW is an average of the two high tides each day. The maximum
tide is the highest tide monitored during the study period.
While the study included a water level sensor unit A at the tidally restricted Ballard Street salt marsh in
Saugus, and Unit D at the Saugus River upstream of Route 107, we decided to exclude those results from this
study report for the following reasons. First, the water levels on the Saugus River have no bearing on the
specific research question concerning the determination of tidal flooding along the Pines River and the effect
of the 1-95 abandoned embankment. Secondly, our study found higher water levels on the Saugus River, a
result which we wanted to verify. This finding could be due to an error determining the elevation of the
transducer. When the Town of Saugus installs a more easily read tide gauge at Ballard Street site A as well as
at site D, our results will be further checked and allow for greater accuracy in future studies. Lastly, we felt it
prudent to delay additional studies until completion of the Route 107 Saugus River Bridge reconstruction and
the associated channel dredging to see if changes occurred because of the bridge project.
Peer Review
To ensure the reliability, credibility and integrity of this report, an informal and formal EPA Peer Review was
conducted following EPA's Peer Review Handbook. 4th edition. "Peer review provides the greatest credibility
for the EPA's scientific and technical work products when it involves qualified, external independent
reviewers; is intensive in its examination; and operates through a formal and transparent process. Per the
EPA's Peer Review Policy, external peer review is the approach of choice for all Influential Scientific
Information (ISI) and is the expected procedure for a Highly Influential Scientific Assessments." Due to the
significant influential nature of this study, EPA Region 1 categorized the nature of this work as Influential
Scientific Information. OMB's Peer Review Bulletin defines ISI as scientific information that the Agency
"reasonably can determine will have or does have a clear and substantial impact on important public policies
32 https://geospatial.trimble.com/eol?dcs=Collection-19571&pt=Trimble%20R8%20GNSS%20Receiver
33 https://access.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/datumcalc/index.isp
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or private sector decisions." Accordingly, a formal Peer Review was conducted following EPA protocol. This
study will be shared with the public via EPA's Science Inventory and provides public access as outlined in the
Scientific Data Management Plan (SDMP) that addresses public access to publications and the underlying
research data.
The informal and formal Peer Review ensured that the methodologies employed were accepted within the
scientific community. During the informal Peer Review, comments were incorporated from Robert Hunt,
retired Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Hunt was the former Corps of Engineers Project Manager
for the Saugus River Regional Flood Gate Project. Additionally, EPA New England Region employees Sandra
Petrakis, Physical Scientist in the Drinking Water Quality and Protection Section, and Valerie Bataille, EPA New
England Scientific Integrity Coordinator and Peer Review Coordinator, provided comments.
Formal peer review is generally considered to be the highest level of technical quality review. The study's
formal peer review included a panel of experts knowledgeable in various aspects of the science associated
with this research according to the US EPA's Peer Review protocols. A list of objectives was used for focusing
the peer review charge questions to obtain input from qualified colleagues ("the relevant scientific
community"). The research team worked with the Region 1 Peer Review Coordinator to assure that the study
followed EPA's protocols. All comments received from the peer reviewers were evaluated and addressed. All
significant recommendations were incorporated into the report. Once all recommendations from the peer
reviewers were incorporated into this report, the report was cleared for publication via Agency protocols and
published on EPA's Science Inventory.
The formal peer reviewers included the following: Steven C. Davis, President of Verrill Strategic Consulting, Inc.
Mr. Davis was Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office in the 1980's when many projects
involving the marsh were reviewed by his office. Dennis Lowry, from AECOM Environment, who has specific
knowledge of Rumney Marsh from his involvement with the USACE studies in the marsh dating back to 1986.
Mr. Lowry has more than 40 years of experience as a professional wetland scientist including many coastal
wetland restoration projects and tidal studies. David Hilgeman and Christina Wu, with the MassDEP Wetlands
Program, Major Projects and Policy Unit, also provided peer review comments. David Robbins of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency provided an additional peer review.
2019 Tidol Level Study Results
We used the NOAA Tidal Datum Calculator to calculate the tidal datums.34 The results for the 52-day period
from April 16-June 7, 2019 (Table 2) show the upstream side of Route 107 (site G) has a 0.14-foot (4.3 cm)
lower MHW, MHHW and maximum tide, compared to the downstream side of Route 107 (site C), revealing a
slight restriction to tidal flow at the East Branch Pines River bridge crossing. The MHW and MHHW datums
from the two stations upstream of the abandoned 1-95 embankment were very similar to the unrestricted
Lower Pines station.
34 https://access.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/datumcalc/
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Table 2. Tidal datumsfor each of the five stations along the Pines River in Rumney Marsh, organized by
restriction position in the estuary for the 52-day period from April 16-June 7, 2019, as calculated with the
NOAA Tidal Datum Calculator. Water levels are in feet NAVD88.
Lower
Upstream
Upstream
Upstream
East
Tide Datum
Pines
a>
M
;o
"i_
CO
Railroad
Rt. 107
1-95
Saugus
(B)
(C)
r-.
o
*—1
(G)
lO
(E)
(F)
Maximum
6.31
TS
(B
6.25
M
CO
¦O
aj
o
Railroad
Rt. 107
1-95
Saugus
(B)
(C)
r-.
o
*—1
-------
Rumney Marsh Pines River Tidal Datums
June 7-September 5, 2019
(90 Days)
6.5
I H H I
Lower Pines Upstream Upstream Rt. 107 Upstream 1-95 East Saugus
Railroad
Maximum Water Level Mean Higher High Water Mean High Water
Figure 19. Tidal datums for five stations along the Pines River, organized by restriction position in the estuary for the 90-day period
from June 7-September 5, 2019, calculated with the NOAA Tidal Datum Calculator. Water levels are in feet NAVD88.
Figure 20 depicts the peak daily tidal elevation (MHHW) observed for the first 52-days of the study. Figure 21
depicts the peak daily tidal elevation (MHHW) observed in the subsequent 90-day study period. The data
results show very similar water levels amongst the stations with a slight tidal restriction caused by the railroad
bridge and Route 107 bridges. Additional graphs and comparisons of stations are provided in Appendix E.
While our results reveal a slight tidal restriction caused by the East Branch of the Pines River bridge, we note
that site G (Upstream 107) tidal datums may not reflect water levels in the Revere part of the Pines River
estuary due to the potential tidal restriction at the DCR access road from Route 107 to the abandoned 1-95
embankment. The DCR access road has two culverts along its length (Figure 7). Water levels at site G may also
be affected by intertidal sediment bars that have accumulated both upstream and downstream of the East
Branch Pines River bridge. To evaluate this further we compared water levels from the upstream side of the
abandoned 1-95 embankment to the upstream side of the railroad.
The upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment (site E) has 0.13-foot (4 cm) lower maximum water
level as compared to upstream of the railroad (site C). We believe this is largely because of the Route 107
bridges which reduced the MHW, MHHW, and the maximum tide by 0.14 feet (4.3 cm) as described above.
The minor difference of 0.01 feet means that there is essentially no difference in water levels between the
Revere and Saugus portions of the estuary upstream of Route 107 and downstream of the abandoned 1-95
embankment that otherwise would be due to the DCR access road to the embankment.
The maximum water level observed on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment in East Saugus
(site F) during the additional 90-day study was only 0.25 feet lower than the Lower Pines River (site B). This
amount of reduction in the maximum tidal water level is equal to the combined effect of the railroad bridge
and Route 107 bridges.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from 4/16/2019 4:00:00 PM EST to 6/7/2019 9:00:00 AM EST
6,00
4.00
3.00-
( Full Moon ;
V/
V
A*
Lower Pines (Unit B)
Dates in 2019
- Upstream Route 107 (Unit G) - Upstream 1-95 (Unit E)
.(Unit
Figure 20. Daily peak tidal water level (MHHW)from 5 stations along the Pines River in Saugus and Revere, Massachusetts for the 52-day period from
4/16/2019 - 6/7/2019.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from 6/7/2019 11:00:00 AM EST to 9/5/2019 6:00:00 PM EST
Dates in 2019
¦ Lower Pines (Unit B) Ups-rean RR (Unit C) - Upstream Route 107 (Unit Gj -Upstream 1-95 (Unit 9 * East Saugus (Unit F)
Figure 21. Peak daily water level (MHHWj from 5 stations along the Pines River in Saugus and Revere for the 90-day period 6/7/2019 -9/5/2019.
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Tidol Data Analysis
Our study revealed significant changes due to the three bridges on Route 107 which had been
reconstructed between 2009 and 2012. The longer spans, and increased height of the new bridges,
increased the normal tides and bi-monthly spring tides throughout the Pines River estuary. A comparison
of the 1989 USACE water level measurements to EPA's 2019 study reveals MHW has increased by 1.0
feet (30.5 cm), and the maximum water level increased by 1.3 feet (43 cm) in the area upstream of the
abandoned 1-95 embankment (Figure 22). The study data results revealed that the Route 107 bridges
reconstruction increased tidal water levels upstream of the abandoned 1-95 embankment.
The increased tidal datums of MHW and maximum spring tides, when factoring in sea level rise, is equal
to the tidal restriction first observed by the USACE (USACE 1989). The increase is also consistent with the
USACE model prediction and plans to restore the hydrology and functioning of the upper Pines River
estuary by re-establishing the East Branch of the Pines River crossing and widening the relocated Pines
River channel.35
Comparison of East Saugus Tidal Datums
7
6
5
00 4
O
53
Z 2
1
0
6.2
4.8
4.9
3.8
Mean High Water (MHW)
1989
Maximum
2019
Figure 22. Comparison of MHW and Maximum reported tidal datum metrics above the abandoned 1-95
embankment in Saugus shows an increase of 1.0 feet for MHW and a Maximum observed increase of 1.3 feet
between 1989 and 2019.
To further explain how the bridges reconstruction improved tidal flow, we looked at the details in the
permit plans. According to the state and federal permit application material, the three bridges combined
increased the cross section available for flow from 163.25 feet (49 m) at MHW to 261.67 feet (80 m) at
MHW, providing a 60.4% increase. In comparison, the relocated Pines River channel at the abandoned
1-95 embankment measures 157 feet (48 m) across at MHW (Figure 6). The Route 107 combined three
bridges provide 66.7% greater width at MHW for tidal flow and flushing in comparison to the relocated
Pines River channel at the abandoned 1-95 embankment.
35 https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a266336.pdf
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This hydraulic capacity difference between the combined Route 107 bridges and the relocated Pines
River channel explains the time lag to peak water level in the upper Pines River (Figure 23) and why the
upper Pines River tide continues to rise after the lower estuary has started to ebb. It may also explain
why during neap tidal cycles, these lowest tides of the month are slightly higher than the tides in less
tidally restricted portions of the estuary (Figure 23).
The USACE calculated the existing peak flow area of the relocated Pines River channel at elevation 3.0
feet NGVD29 as 1,300 SF. The USACE also prepared plans to increase the existing opening to provide a
new peak flow area of 5,500 SF at elevation 6.0 feet NGVD29. In addition, the USACE proposed to
breach the 1-95 embankment to restore the East Branch of the Pines River drainage with a new peak flow
area of 1,150 SF at elevation 6.0 feet NGVD29 (USACE, 1991b). The combined peak flow capacity would
be 6,650 square feet. These plans were intended to increase tidal flow to nearly 500 acres of wetlands as
part of the intended environmental restoration of the marsh.36
For comparison, EPA calculated the cross-sectional area available for water flow at the three Route 107
bridges as 2,131 square feet up to MHW level, and 3,052 square feet for the maximum opening water
height (Figure 10).
Figure 23 is a graph of the water level fluctuations during spring tides between April 19-20, 2019. Bi-
monthly spring tides during the new and full moon periods, upstream of 1-95 and at East Saugus, are only
a few tenths of a foot lower in height due to the slight tidal restriction of the downstream bridges. The
tidal phase delay is evident above the abandoned 1-95 embankment, revealing the embankment still
restricts the tides. However, this restriction affects the timing and duration of tides and does not affect
the peak daily tidal height of the tide which is controlled by the downstream bridges.
36 https://saugusriverfloodgate.com/the-proiect/restoration-plan-features
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Readings Across Bodies of Water
• E_Saugus • Lower_Pines Upstream_I_95 • Upstream_Route_107 • Upstream_RR
Figure 23. Daily tidal water elevations during spring tide conditions April 18-19, 2019, depict the tidal phase delay and slightly
lower peak tidal height above the abandoned 1-95 embankment caused by the downstream bridges.
Figure 24 is a graph of daily tidal water elevations during neap tide conditions on May 27, 2019. The
Upstream 1-95 and East Saugus sites during neap tides also show a phase delay to reach the peak tide.
These peak tides were slightly higher than the downstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment.
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Readings Across Bodies of Water
• E_Saugus • Lower_Pines • Upstream_I_95 • Upstream_Route_107 • Upstream_RR
00
co
o
§
z
0)
>
a>
-i
>—
a>
%
5
4.00-
2.00'
0.00-
-2.00-
-4.00'
./
if
I
'N
\
V,
V
.lif
7
/
1
/
-*
V,
\
\\
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5/27/2019 3:42.00 AM
5/27/2019 8:06:00 AM
5/27/2019 12:36:00 PM
Date/Time
5/27/2019 5:00:00 PM
5/27/2019 9:30:00 PM
Figure 24. Daily water level from five stations along the Pines River during neap tide cycle on May 27, 2019. The East Saugus
and Upstream 1-95 sites show a tidal phase delay and have the highest water level during neap tide cycles.
The EPA 2019 water level study results are consistent with previous studies conducted after the
completion of the Route 107 Bridges Reconstruction Project. As part of studies for the Ballard Street Salt
Marsh Restoration Project, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) in May 2014 collected
tidal water level data on both sides of the abandoned 1-95 embankment at three locations shown in
Figure 25 (ACRE, 2015).
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Figure 25. Map of the tide gauge locations used for the May 15-29, 2014, deployment in the Pines River, from Applied Coastal
Research and Engineering (ACRE 2015).
Figure 26 graphically shows the tidal datums computed from a 15-day study in May 2014 for an intended
salt marsh restoration project at Ballard Street in Saugus (ACRE, 2015). The study reported a maximum
tide in the Pines River channel in East Saugus at elevation 6,3 feet NAVD88, very close to (0,1 feet higher)
the EPA 2019 study results. The MHW and MHHW datums from the ACRE study, however, are higher
than the EPA 2019 datums. Tides vary month to month and year to year according to the 19-year
Metonic cycle.
While this difference may be due to the difference in time along the Metonic cycle, the shorter 15-day
time frame of the ACRE study happened to pick up the higher end of the 29.5-day lunar tidal cycle which
skews the results upward. The observed lower tidal datums at the Pines Creek culvert reveals the
frictional damping of the tide by marsh channels and vegetation at this location and explains why water
levels were higher on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment in this study.
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7
Tide datums May 2014 Study
(15-days)
4
Maximum
Tide
MHHW
MHW
Pines River
Pines River Channel
Pines Creek culvert
Figure 26. Tidal datums computed from the 15-day records collected Pines River marsh system in May 2014. Datum elevations
are in feet NAVD88. Data from ACRE 2015.
Two other previous studies also provide results that are consistent with the EPA 2019 study. As part of
the planning and design for Massachusetts Port Authority and the Department of Conservation and
Recreation mitigation sites in East Saugus, Normandeau Associates Incorporated (NAI) studied the tides
for the period of July 1 to August 1, 2014. In addition, the post construction tidal monitoring of the
MassPort mitigation site by VHB Associates, pursuant to the USACE and MA DEP permit approvals,
occurred from August 31, 2018, to September 28, 2018.
The raw data from these studies was evaluated using the NOAA Tidal Datum Calculator and included the
Boston Harbor verified tidal data for the study dates as shown in Figure 27. Both sets of data reveal
similar tidal datums and maximum tides to EPA's 2019 results. In comparison to Boston Harbor verified
tides, East Saugus had consistently lower tidal datums of MHW, MHHW, and maximum tides. By
providing the Boston Harbor tidal gauge verified water level data for the same dates, we can see that
MHW was 0.30 feet (9.1 cm) lower, and the maximum tide was 0.74 feet (22.6 cm) lower in East Saugus
as compared to Boston Harbor Tides in the NAI 2014 study. The VHB 2018 study had slightly different
results, with MHW being 0.54 feet (16 cm) lower and maximum tide 0.96 feet (29 cm) lower in East
Saugus as compared to Boston Harbor. These results reveal the tidal restriction effect of the
downstream bridges in the Pines River estuary, which will continue, even if the 1-95 embankment is fully
removed.
The NAI 2014 and VHB 2018 studies accurately reflect the tidal datums of MHW and MHHW at that
period, as they were for a full tidal cycle. All these studies had their maximum observed elevations close
to or above 6.1 feet NAVD88. In their extensive studies, the USACE formerly reported that the entire
marsh is flooded at elevation 7.0 feet NGVD29. This is approximately elevation 6.1 feet NAVD88. This
level of flooding, which the USACE formerly observed, would only occur once or twice a year, is now
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happening at least once to several times a month, during new and full moon spring tides. This level and
frequency of tidal flooding has resulted in stunting of Phragmites australis and Iva frutescens in the
marsh, as well as the expansion of low salt marsh species in the former high salt marsh.
00
00
Q
NAI 2014 and VHB 2018 NOAA tidal datums comparing East
Saugus to Boston Harbor Gauge
6 89
7.01
—
6.15
6.05
4.73
4.94
5.18
4.66
5.3
4.43
4.42
_
MHW
MHHW
MAXIMUM
East Saugus
(NAI)
7/1/2014 -
8/1/2014
Boston
Verified
7/1/2014 -
8/1/2014
i East Saugus
(VHB)
8/31/2018 -
9/28/2018
¦ Boston
Verified
8/31/2018 -
9/28/2018
Figure 27. Calculated NOAA tidal datums from NAI 2014 and VHB 2018 conducted in East Saugus compared to tidal datums
from the Verified Boston Harbor gauge for the same periods. Elevations are in feet NAVD88.
Vegetation Survey
Figure 28 is a box chart depicting the elevation ranges of the dominant vegetation species observed in
the East Saugus Marsh from five days of survey in 2021. Additional information from this survey is
provided in Appendix D. The data reveal a typical pattern of salt marsh plant zonation in the marsh
consistent with the increased tides caused by the Route 107 bridges reconstruction. A significant
observation from our survey data was the finding of stunted Phragmites australis and Iva frutescens
growing at similar elevations as Distichlis spicata and Spartina patens (around elevation 4.8 - 5.2 feet
NAVD88). It appeared that many of the stands of Iva in the high marsh were stunted in height and had
an understory of Spartina patens and/or Distichlis spicata. This indicates that the tidal inundation
frequency is sufficient to cause to cause stunting. Figure 29 is a photograph depicting stunted
Phragmites in the East Saugus Marsh.
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3.00
Elevation (Lidar) by Plant Characterization at East Saugus Marsh
gj 5.00
O
>
s
£ 4.00
F=S=1
I Spartina alterniflora
3 Spartina patens
' D istich lis spicata
] Iva frutescens
I Stunted Phragmites austral is
l Phragmites australis
] Typha sp.
Salicornia sp.
I Lepidium latifolium
J uncus garardii
-i Limonium carotinianum
Figure 28. Box chart depicting elevation data ranges based on Lidar data for vegetation species observed in the East Saugus
Marsh,
Figure 29. Stunted Phragmites is less than two feet tall in this area of the East Saugus Marsh due to the increased tides.
Photo credit Ed Reiner.
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Storm Surge Evaluation
The most significant threat of flooding for the project area is from tidal surges that may occur during
spring high tide periods. Storm or tidal surges occur due to low pressure weather systems such as
cyclones. It is measured as the rise of water level above the normal tidal level where actual tides exceed
predicted tides. To evaluate if the abandoned 1-95 embankment reduces tidal flooding during storm
surges, photographic evidence of numerous tidal flooding events as it impacts one property along the
East Saugus Marsh shoreline was reviewed.
The photographic evidence provided in Appendix C shows that storm surges, which produced 0.3-to-3.4-
foot higher tides than predicted at the Boston Harbor tide gauge, flood the marsh as well as the low-lying
streets in East Saugus. EPA estimated the flood levels in East Saugus by first obtaining the elevation of a
fence along a residential property using Trimble GPS receivers to obtain X/Y coordinates, and
subsequently obtaining those points' elevations over Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) terrain data
(MassGIS, 2013-2014; vertical accuracy 18.13 cm). Using Massachusetts GIS Lidar data from the average
of 13 points along the fence, EPA estimates the fence ground elevation is 5.6 feet NAVD88.
Based on the photographic evidence and fence measurements, EPA estimates these tidal flood events
resulted in water levels reaching elevation 6.4 to 7.5 feet NAVD88 (Appendix C). This evidence is
presented to support the position that the 1-95 embankment is not providing a reduction of flooding in
East Saugus. Figure 30 is a chart comparing Boston Harbor verified high tide elevations compared to the
estimated East Saugus high tide elevations. The results show East Saugus highest tides are lower than
Boston tides, due to the tidal restrictions associated with the downstream bridges. The photographs
provide a means to check these estimates with future accurate ground surveys.
Figure 30. Chart comparing Boston Harbor verified high tide elevations to the estimated East Saugus high tide elevations,
shows that tides are typically slightly lower in East Saugus, due to the tidal restriction at the downstream bridges.
Boston
Verified
High
Tide
¦ East
Saugus
HWL
Storm Surge Peak Water Levels
8.50
Some of the highest tidal events were not captured photographically as they occurred during nighttime.
In addition, some tidal events required evacuation for safety. Figure 31 is a chart of the predicted and
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verified water levels from the Boston Harbor tide gauge for the March 1-6, 2018. On March 2, 2018, the
verified water level in Boston was 3.4 feet higher than the predicted tide of 5.87 feet, producing a 9.17-
foot-high water level. This water level is approximately the 1% chance storm tide, or 100-year flood plain
event. During the five-day period starting March 1, 2018, there were 10 consecutive tides that were
higher than 6.0 feet NAVD88.
— Predictions — Verified — Preliminary
Figure 31. Boston Harbor predicted and verified tides for the period from March 1-March 6, 2018, shows ten consecutive tides
exceeding elevation 6.0feet due to storm surge conditions.
Seo Level Rise
NOAA/NOS/CO-OPS
Observed Water Levels at 8443970, Boston MA
From 2018/03/01 00:00 LST/LDT to 2018/03/06 23:59 LST/LDT
NOAA/NOS, Center for Operational Qceanographic Products and Services
00:00 00:00 00:00 00:00 00:00 00:00
3/1 3/2 3/3 3/4 3/5 3/6
While the NOAA 1983-2001 National Tidal Datum Epoch (NTDE) for MHW for the area is 4.3 feet, our
study found MHW during the study period was 4.8 feet NAVD88. This 0.5-foot difference represents the
change to local sea level in the last 40 years. At the Boston Harbor NOAA tide gauge, sea level trends
show an increase of about 0.11 inches/year (2.87 +/- 0.15 mm/yr).37 NOAA estimates sea level rise of
1.54 feet in Boston by 2050. NOAAs 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report containing projections of sea
level rise through 2150 is available at https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/sealevelrise/sealevelrise-
tech-report.html.
The Lynn Municipal Vulnerability Plan is using 40 inches (1.02 m) rise by 2070 for their planning.38 Sea
level rise projections indicate that by the end of the century, average sea level in the project area is
expected to increase by between 4 feet (low projection) and 10.2 feet (high projection) with an
intermediate projection of 5 feet.39 Climate change projections indicate that by 2100, sea level at the
Boston tide gauge is "likely" to rise by 1.5 to 4.0 feet and could be as high as 9.7 feet (NECASC, 2018).
While the significant change in tidal hydrology in the Pines River estuary is clearly attributable to the
Route 107 bridges reconstruction, a portion of the change is due to sea level rise between the study
periods.
37 https://tidesandcurrents.rioaa.gov/sltrerids/sltrends station.shtml?id=8443970
38 https://www.ediclvnn.org/mvp%20page.html
39 https://resilientma.mass.gov/changes/sea-level-rise
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The USACE studies from 1989 and 1990 found MHW above the abandoned 1-95 embankment was at
elevation 4.7 NGVD29. Using the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Coordinate Conversion and
Transformation Tool (NCAT)40, we can convert elevation 4.7 NGVD29 by adding -0.91 feet to equal 3.8
feet (NAVD88). Comparing the 1989 USACE data to the 2014 NAI and 2018 VHB data, MHW for the area
upstream of the embankment has increased from around elevation 3.8 to 4.4 feet NAVD88, an increase
of 0.6 feet (15 cm).
The USACE 1989 studies reported Mean High Water in the Pines River downstream of the abandoned
1-95 embankment as elevation 5.0 feet NGVD29, which is approximately 4.1 feet NAVD88. MHW
according to our 2019 study is now approximately elevation 4.8 feet NAVD88, revealing an increase of
around 0.7 feet (15 cm).
NOAA currently uses the 1983-2001 National Tidal Datum Epoch (NTDE).41 Sea level rise is not included
in tidal datums. However, as tidal datums are also a "mean", for purposes of calculating sea level rise
since the NTDE, the values are assumed to be for the "middle date" of that period - June 1992. Sea level
rise in Boston is calculated to be a rate of 2.87 mm per year.42 For the period of 1992 to 2021, at that
average rate, sea level rise would be approximately 83.23 mm or 3.27 inches. The USACE 1989 studies,
however, used data from NOAA's superseded 1960-1978 epoch. USACE used a MHW value of 5.0 feet
NGVD29 based on the 1960-1978 National Ocean Survey Tidal Epoch Boston Harbor tidal datums. Since
these values are an average over that period, the middle date of that period would be June 1969 and the
rise in sea level from 1969 to 2019 using Boston Harbor long-term sea level trends would be
approximately 50 x 2.87mm +/- 0.15 mm/year or 143.5 mm or 5.65 +/- 0.3 inches.
This epoch is now undergoing revision and will be replaced by the fifth iteration of the NTDE.
Measurements for the update will be based on water level data spanning the years 2002-2020.
Since 1950, sea level rose by about eight inches (20 cm) in Boston. Scientists predict that sea level may
rise by another six inches (15 cm) in the next 15 years.43 It is now accepted science that the rate of sea
level rise is increasing. This study did not address considerations of future sea level rise, which will
increase flooding from present levels.
Tidal flooding can come from the Saugus River side of the estuary as well as the Pines River side. The
marshes were historically connected; however, the historic wetland fill for landfills and commercial
development now restricts the tidal water movement to a partially obstructed ditch along the upstream
side of the railroad track, and the tide gate at Ballard Street on the upstream side of Route 107. Tidal
water levels which exceed the elevation of Ballard Street in East Saugus will flood across the road to the
Ballard Street Salt marsh, providing an additional source of flooding for the East Saugus neighborhood.
40 https://geodesv.noaa.gov/NCAT/
41 NOAA Tides Datums for 8443970, Boston MA
42 https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends station.shtml?id=8443970
43 https://sealevelrise.org/states/massachusetts/
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The current tidal flooding, as experienced throughout the Pines and Saugus River estuary, already
produces street and yard flooding during new and full moon high spring tides (Appendix C), Flooding
problems in the estuary will increase with expected sea level rise. If a storm surge occurs during a spring
tide period, within any of the ranges of expected sea level rise in the future, low lying areas in the
community are at risk of flooding. This flooding, however, is virtually unaffected by the embankment.
Figure 32 is a photograph of a commuter train crossing the marsh on March 3, 2018, showing tidal water
levels approaching the top of the railroad embankment. On March 2, this storm produced one of the
highest tides recorded at the Boston Harbor tide gauge, with a reading of 9.17 NAVD88 as shown in
figure 31 above. This elevation is essentially equal to the 100-year flood or 1% tidal flooding event.
The MBTA is replacing the railroad bridge over the Saugus River. Mitigation plans for the unavoidable
loss of intertidal areas and salt marsh involve the removal of additional fill material from the abandoned
1-95 embankment to restore salt marsh in Saugus.44
Figure 32. Photograph taken March 3, 2018, shows tidal water levels approaching the top of the railroad embankment at
Rumney Marsh. Photo credit, Geoffrey Wilson, Northeast Wetland Restoration.
44 USAGE # NAE-2018-Q0339, MA DEP Transmittal # X286945
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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This study aimed to determine if the abandoned 1-95 embankment could be removed or breached
without increasing flooding problems in the upper marsh area. In the past, efforts to pursue
embankment removal were opposed because the embankment was believed to restrict tides.
The three Route 107 bridges that were reconstructed between 2009 to 2012 increased normal tides and
bi-monthly spring tides throughout the Pines River estuary, revealing that the abandoned 1-95
embankment does not reduce tidal flooding as previously believed. EPA's 2019 water level study results
reveal that the reconstructed Route 107 bridges removed most of the former tidal restriction previously
documented by the USACE. Route 107, as well as the further downstream railroad bridge, will continue
to slightly lower the highest tides in the estuary, even if the embankment were to be fully removed.
Our data showed the time to the maximum tide in East Saugus on the upstream side of the embankment
was delayed more than one hour. The tides start to ebb in the lower Pines River while the upper marsh is
still flooding. The USACE formerly observed a two-hour lag time for high tide in the upper Pines River and
noted their observations that the embankment restricts drainage by acting as a dam at extreme low
tides, not allowing the upstream area to drain completely (USACE, 1989c). This impairment to drainage is
important since increasing frequency and duration of tidal inundation controls vegetation in a salt
marsh, shifting high marsh species to low marsh species which are better adapted to survive periods of
inundation. With sea level rise, the concern is that the high marsh may not be able to maintain itself
vegetatively.
The preservation of high salt marsh is particularly important for the saltmarsh sparrow (Ammodramus
caudacutus) which nests in high marsh areas. Listed as a Species of Special Concern under the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) in 2020, the sparrow is currently being considered for
federal listing under the United States Endangered Species Act.
Increased tides can result in high salt marsh areas formerly vegetated with Spartina patens and Distichlis
spicata shifting to short form Spartina alterniflora. Ponding of tidal waters in salt marshes results in plant
die-off and marsh subsidence. Increasing sea level can also drown low marsh containing Spartina
alterniflora, resulting in further degradation of salt marsh and conversion to unvegetated tidal flats.
Appendix C provides photographic documentation of tidal storm surge flooding events where the
majority of the East Saugus Marsh is flooded, as well as streets and yards, at estimated elevations
around 6.4 -7.3 feet NAVD88. Compared to Boston Harbor verified tidal heights, the East Saugus marsh
for most of these events had lower peak tides, likely due to the downstream bridges. Since the Route
107 bridges will continue to be the primary tidal restriction to flow in the Pines River estuary,
embankment removal and breaching, to restore the severed drainage patterns across the marsh, will not
increase flooding to the developed property upgradient of the embankment.
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Sea level rise projections indicate that by the end of the century, average sea level in the project area is
expected to increase by between 4 feet (low projection) and 10.2 feet (high projection) with an
intermediate projection of 5 feet.45 Alternative retreat, flood proofing, raising building elevations, or
flood control berms or walls will be needed along the East Saugus shoreline, as well as the Saugus River
side, since flooding already is experienced in these areas. Berms or walls, however, do not solve all
problems as groundwater also rises with sea level, and interior drainage would need to be
accommodated.
Solving the larger estuary and regional flooding problem will likely require a new analysis of the formerly
proposed Saugus River and Tributaries Flood Damage Reduction Project, which would construct a
closable flood gate barrier at the mouth of the Saugus River.46 Regardless of any larger flood control
projects that may be needed in the future to address sea level rise, continued removal of embankment
fill to appropriate elevations can restore salt marsh and intertidal mudflat habitat, create additional
flood storage in the marsh, and improve drainage for the East Saugus community.
The removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment is one of the greatest opportunities to restore coastal
aquatic habitat north of Boston, Massachusetts, with the potential to restore up to 50 additional acres
(20.2 hectares) of salt marsh and intertidal areas. Additional wetland acreage can be restored by using
some of the excavated material to fill in portions of the eroding drainage channel that was constructed
on the upstream side of the embankment in Saugus.
Restoration of the former creek systems that were once severed by the embankment would then
provide improved drainage for 444 acres (180 hectares) of up-gradient marsh. Removal of the
embankment would decrease water velocity, decrease erosive conditions along marsh edges, restore
and improve fish and wildlife habitat, and increase sediment accumulation across the marsh surface. All
this would, in turn, increase marsh resiliency to sea level rise and help to protect nesting habitat for the
saltmarsh sparrow.
1-95 Embankment Removal and Breaching
Figure 33 depicts the 1-95 abandoned embankment with locations of the formerly filled tidal creeks. Two
creeks, depicted along the Saugus peninsula of the embankment fill, were cut off by the embankment fill
and relocated to a constructed channel. A third creek is shown along the Revere peninsular of the
embankment. Tidal restrictions and high velocity waters continue to contribute to erosion along the
constructed Pines River channel (Figure 13) and elsewhere in the marsh. Flowing water erodes the salt
marsh peat, undermining overhanging pieces, which break off and fall into the creek (salt marsh calving).
Due to the continued erosion of the embankment fill, the Pines River channel is filling with sediment,
exposing intertidal areas at low tide. Removing the 1-95 embankment would reduce tidal current velocity
and help to lessen salt marsh losses from continued erosion processes.
45https://resilientma. mass.gov/changes/sea-level-rise
46 https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a217016.pdf
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The embankment could be fully removed to marsh grades to restore salt marsh, intertidal habitat, and
the drainage that was severed and impaired by the embankment fill. The suggested priority
embankment removal area (Figure 8) would restore 3,200 linear feet of sheet flow across the high
marsh. Restoring sheet flow would improve marsh resiliency by increasing the opportunity for the
settlement of organics over the marsh surface.
Rumney Marsh Restoration Areas
Map created by Ed Reiner. Senior Wetland Scientist, EPA
& Dan Morse, Senior CIS Analyst, ASRC Federal Vistronix Inc,
Map Tracker II) 974"? December 9,2016
Data Sources: Historical Airphotos (12/1/1955, 5/1/1960): USCS; Google Earth
Scale 1 : 6,000 H
l_
«v-
* m
•' A
:
'n*
/
,£.Jt
ljS
¦ B ¦ sssa
mumtrnrn
M
It Jar
5/10/2016
Figure 33. Aerial photo taken May 10, 2016, highlighting the locations of former channels which were filled along the
abandoned 1-95 embankment in Revere and Saugus, Massachusetts.
Beneficial Use of Embankment Sands and Gravel
Robert Hunt, retired USACE project manager for the Saugus River Floodgate project, estimated that
some 15 acres of wetlands bordering four mitigation sites can be restored by removing about 200,000
cubic yards along the abandoned 1-95 embankment.48 Figure 8 depicts a berm removal focus area along
three of the mitigation sites which would remove about 3,200 linear feet of embankment. We estimate
this would require approximately 113,000 cubic yards of excavation. Some of this excavated material
could potentially be used to restore salt marsh to sections of the constructed drainage channel that are
no longer needed after restoring the former creeks (Figure 13). Embankment soils may also be useful for
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partial construction of flood control berms or a public trail around the upland edge of the marsh. Flood
control berms, however, would normally require a clay core or other impermeable structure to prevent
water seepage.
Off-site beneficial use of the embankment soils could include use for dune improvements at Point of
Pines, sand dune creation and walkovers at Revere Beach, and continued beach nourishment use at
Revere Beach or Winthrop Shore Reservation. The material may also be suitable for other road
construction projects or living shoreline stabilization projects. In this sense, the sand and gravel soils
have value which can reduce project costs and provide a dual benefit of marsh restoration.
Permit and Funding Considerations
Removal of the abandoned 1-95 embankment and restoration of the marsh were specifically included as
a goal in the 1988 designation of the marsh as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Since then,
restoration has been promoted and sought out and has only been constrained by the mistaken belief
that the embankment provided flood protection by reducing the tides.
While the 37 acres of salt marsh and intertidal area habitat restoration completed to date by
embankment removal was done as permittee responsible mitigation efforts, the Compensatory
Mitigation Rule47 and Corps of Engineers Mitigation Guidance48 now favor the use of mitigation banks or
In-Lieu Fee (ILF) programs. Potential projects to restore aquatic habitat can seek funding through the
Massachusetts ILF program. The 1-95 embankment removal and restoration of hydrology at the East
Branch of the Pines River would also be an excellent candidate for wetland habitat restoration grant
funding or a Supplemental Environmental Project.49
Additional Considerations for Marsh Restoration
The USACE, in their 1989 and 1991 studies, documented that the upper marsh rarely flooded. However,
flooding frequency in the upper marsh has dramatically increased due to the reconstructed Route 107
bridges. The more frequent flooding is also resulting in retained water on the high marsh surface
because of ditch and dike effects that historically elevated portions of the marsh. The increased tidal
inundation to the high marsh favors short form Spartina alterniflora which can tolerate the longer
inundation periods, however, retained water in a high marsh typically results in vegetation die-off.
Geoffrey Wilson, with the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Saugus, while working in Rumney Marsh,
discovered evidence of colonial era agricultural embankment systems that had been constructed
throughout the marsh. These embankment systems were used to reduce or cut off the tides and freshen
the soils for the growth of salt marsh hay, English hay, and a slightly salt-tolerant livestock forage beet
called Mangelwurzel. The embankment systems have since been reduced in height by decomposition of
47 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/T"itle33/33cfr332 main Q2.tpl
48https://www.nae.usace.armv.mil/portals/74/docs/regulatorv/Mitigation/2016 New England Compensatory Mitigation
Guidance.pdf
49 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/supplemental-environmental-proiects-seps
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the organic soils used to construct the embankments, and, as the marsh has grown upward, keeping
pace with sea level rise over the centuries. The remnant embankments, however, continue to alter the
tide sheds in the marsh, sometimes resulting in extensive water ponding on the marsh surface.
Persistent flooding of high marsh vegetation causes a die-off of salt marsh plants that cannot tolerate
the lack of oxygen in the soils. The Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, together with local environmental
community partners, are working on developing plans to address the drainage impairments and water
ponding problems that are being observed in the upper marsh area.
One technique being used to address shallow ponding water in the high marsh is the creation of shallow
ditches called runnels.50 Originally developed in Australia in the 1980s to control mosquitoes by draining
standing water, runnels construction has been used in several Rhode Island and Massachusetts salt
marsh restoration projects.51'52 Runnels successfully drained off surface ponding and colonized with
vegetation along the Narrow River in Narragansett, Rhode Island (Perry et. al. 2022). Another technique
involves ditch remediation where mosquito ditches are restored to salt marsh to restore single creek
hydrology to individual tide sheds (Burdick et. al. 2020, 2021).53
EPA funded research undertaken by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in cooperation with
MassDEP and MA CZM, is evaluating the use of unoccupied aerial systems (drones and sensors) to collect
multi-spectral, multi-temporal data for mapping plant communities and physical characteristics of salt
marshes and evaluating salt marsh condition. While this work is not yet being conducted at Rumney
Marsh, the development of this assessment method has great potential for evaluation of marsh
condition everywhere.
If project funding can be found, and permit plans agreed upon, restoration of improved tidal flows to the
Ballard Street salt marsh in Saugus would allow for an additional 34.5 acres (14 hectares) of wetland
restoration. Around 3,000 feet of the embankment at the northern end near Ballard Street was left at
the original height of approximately 26 feet NAVD88 (8 meters), due to community concerns related to
noise and views of the nearby waste-to-energy facility. It is unlikely that further removal of the
embankment would occur at this area due to these concerns.
Solving the larger estuary and regional flooding problem will likely require a new analysis of the formerly
proposed Saugus River and Tributaries Flood Damage Reduction Project, which would construct a
closable flood gate barrier at the mouth of the Saugus River.56 Regardless of any larger flood control
projects that may be needed in the future to address sea level rise, continued removal of embankment
fill to appropriate elevations can restore salt marsh and intertidal mudflat habitat, create additional
flood storage in the marsh, and improve drainage for the East Saugus community. The removal of the
abandoned 1-95 embankment would be one of the greatest opportunities to restore coastal aquatic
50 https://www.Woodwellclimate.Org/Assessing-New-Salt-Marsh-Restoration-Technique-ln-Buzzards-Bav/
51 https://doi.org/10.1007/sl2237-021-01Q28-8 https://www.ediclynn.org/mvp%20page.html
52 https://www.savebuzzardsbav.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RunnelWorkshopMasterPresentation.pdf
53 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/sl2237-019-0Q656-5.
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habitat north of Boston, Massachusetts, with the potential to restore up to 50 additional acres (20.2
hectares) of salt marsh and intertidal area and improve tidal flow and drainage to 444 acres (180
hectares) of additional coastal wetlands.
REFERENCES
ACRE, 2015. Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc. Saugus Marsh Hydrodynamic Study. Analysis of Existing
Conditions and Restoration Alternatives in Expanded Environmental Notification Form Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration
project. March 2015.
Besterman, A.F., Jakuba, R.W., Ferguson, W. et al. Buying Time with Runnels: A Climate Adaptation Tool for Salt Marshes.
Estuaries and Coasts (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/sl2237-021-01Q28-8
Burdick, D.M., G.E. Moore, Gibson, J, and McKown, G. 2021. Ditch Restoration Monitoring at Old Town Hill Marsh in Newbury,
Massachusetts. Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering. University of New Hampshire,
Durham, New Hampshire. January 22, 2021
Burdick, D.M., G.E. Moore, S.C. Adamowicz, G.M. Wilson, C.R. Peter. 2020. Mitigating the legacy effects of ditching in a New
England salt marsh. Estuaries and Coasts, doi: 10.1007/sl2237-019-00656-5
Day, J.W., G.P. Kemp, D.R. Reed, D.R. Cahoon, R.M. Boumans, J.M. Suhayda, and R. Gambrell. 2011.
Vegetation death and the rapid loss of surface elevation in two contrasting Mississippi delta salt
marshes: The role of sedimentation, auto compaction and sea-level rise. Ecological Engineering
37:229-240.
IEP, Inc, 1988. Final Report Wetland-Estuary Assessment for the Saugus River and Tributaries, Flood Reduction Study. IEP, Inc,
Northborough, MA, prepared for: U.S. Department of the Army, New England Division, Corps of Engineers, Waltham,
Massachusetts. April 1988, 214 pp
Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) 1987. Final Environmental Impact Report Revere Beach Erosion Control Project.
NAI, 2014. Appendix A, Rumney Marsh Tide Monitoring by Normandeau Associates Inc, Woods Hole Group Inc, October 2104
as published in Ballard Street Salt Marsh Expanded Environmental Notification Form, Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration,
March 16, 2015, by Parsons Brinkerhoff, Inc, Applied Coastal Research and Engineering Inc, and Boelter & Associates.
Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NECASC). 2018. Massachusetts Climate Change Projections. Resilient MA
Climate Change Clearinghouse for the Commonwealth (Resilient MA). Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs, https://necasc.umass.edu/proiects/massachusetts-climate-change-proiections
Perry, Danielle C, Ferguson, Wenley, & Thornber, Carol. S, 2022. Salt marsh climate change adaptation: Using runnels to
adapt to accelerating sea level rise within a drowning New England salt marsh January 2022 Restoration Ecology Vol. 30, No.
1, el3466. https://onlinelibrarv.wilev.com/doi/epdf/10.llll/rec.13466
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Reiner, Edward L, 2012 Restoration of Tidally Restricted Salt Marshes at Rumney Marsh, Massachusetts, Chapter 23, in Roman
and Burdick, Tidal Marsh Restoration A Synthesis of Science and Management. Island Press.
USACE 1989a, US Army Corps of Engineers. Feasibility Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report Water
Resources Investigation Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts Flood Damage
Reduction: US Army Corps of Engineers New England District. Main Report Section 1 (Feasibility Study).
USACE 1989b, Army Corps of Engineers. Water Resources Investigation Feasibility Report Final Environmental Impact
Statement and Final Environmental Impact Report (EOEA File Number 6497), Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn, Maiden,
Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts Flood Damage Reduction: US Army Corps of Engineers New England District. Section 2,
220 pp.
USACE 1989c, US Army Corps of Engineers. Feasibility Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report Water
Resources Investigation Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts Flood Damage
Reduction, Volume 2 Appendix B - Hydrology and Hydraulics.
USACE 1989d, US Army Corps of Engineers. Feasibility Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report Water
Resources Investigation Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts Flood Damage
Reduction. Vol 7 Appendix J - Feasibility Study and EIS/EIR Comments and Responses Section A. Waltham, MA: US Army
Corps of Engineers New England District. 204pp
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a217045.pdf
USACE, Army Corps of Engineers 1989e. Feasibility Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report Water
Resources Investigation Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts Flood Damage
Reduction. Vol 8 Appendix K- Environmental. Waltham, MA: US Army Corps of Engineers New England District.
USACE, Army Corps of Engineers. 1990. Feasibility Report - Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report Water Resources
Investigation Saugus River and Tributaries, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts Flood Damage Reduction: US
Army Corps of Engineers New England District. Flood Damage Reduction: Volume 7 Appendix J - Feasibility Study and EIS/EIR
Comments and Responses Section C - Final Report Review. April 1990
USACE, Army Corps of Engineers. 1991. Technical Report HL-91-22. Field Data Collection Report Saugus River and Tributaries
Flood Damage Reduction Project, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus, Massachusetts. Department of the Army Waterways
Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
USACE, US Army Corps of Engineers 1991b. Revised Draft #2 Final In-House Review, Draft Documentation Environmental
Restoration. Saugus River and Tributaries Flood Damage Reduction Project, Lynn, Maiden, Revere, and Saugus,
Massachusetts. US Army Corps of Engineers New England Division, Waltham, Massachusetts.
USACE, US Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, 1993. Numerical Model Investigation of Saugus River and
Tributaries, Massachusetts, Flood Damage Reduction Project. Hsin-Chi J. Lin, David R. Richards Hydraulics Laboratory.
Technical Report HL-93-5, May 1993. 119 pp.
VHB, 2019. 2018 Annual Monitoring Report, Rumney Mash Salt Marsh Restoration, Saugus, Massachusetts. Prepared for
Massachusetts Port Authority, March 2019 by VHB Inc.
Woods Hole Group, 2013. Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration Project. September 2013. Prepared for Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Division of Ecological Restoration. 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114
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APPENDIX A - Bathymetry Study
As stated in the report, this project was conducted to provide bathymetric data of the Pines River as it
flows through three tidal restrictions (the railroad crossing, the Rt. 107 crossing, and the Pines River/1-95
embankment armored channel). The data collected in this study illustrated the locations of scour holes
and showed the effects erosion and sedimentation within the Pines River and the Pines River channel. It
also provides useful information that could be added to the USACE model of the estuary. Essentially, the
goal of the bathymetry is to provide accurate information that will help inform those making decisions
about Rumney Marsh and the protection of the East Saugus community.
Methods
A bathymetry study was undertaken in 2018 to document the depth along the Pines River as it passes
the railroad bridge, Route 107 Pines River Bridge, and the 1-95 embankment. Depth along the East
Branch of the Pines River as well as the Pines River channel was also measured. Due to the low vertical
clearance at the railroad bridge and Route 107 bridges, this study was done by kayak. Depth
measurements were obtained using a depth gauge (H22PX - HawkEye® Handheld Sonar System) to log
depth of the water paired with a GPS device to log location at a meter accuracy level. The depth
measurements were manually input to the GPS device to create a record with time, depth, and position.
These GPS records were post-processed with Trimble Pathfinder Office to a mean horizontal accuracy of
less than one meter. While the soundings were collected as feet below the survey vessel, the local tidal
range of almost ten feet required that we adjust these depths using NOAA tidal measurements, by
correlating their time stamps. We converted the surveyed depths to NAVD88, the datum of most other
local data.
Results
This study revealed significant scour holes at the Railroad crossing, Route 107 bridge and the 1-95
embankment opening along the Pines River. Scour holes typically form at bridges or culverts due to the
increased flows through undersized structures. Bottom elevations measured at:
Location
1-95 crossing
Route 107
Railroad
Upstream
26.5
23.6
22.3
Downstream
32.7
38.3
46.9
Figure 12 below provides a visualization of a comparison of the bottom elevations upstream and
downstream at the three tidal restrictions.
Figure A-l shows the results from the 2018 bathymetry study. The shallowest areas are shown in red
with deeper areas in yellow, and the deepest areas shown in increasing shades of blue to black. Depths
were sampled according to the methods described above. The samples were collected in GPS with
coordinates and time stamps forthe height of tide at each location; depth soundings were corrected by
tidal elevation for actual depth.
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2018 Bathymetry Study Scour Holes
1-95 Crossing Rte 107 RR
"50 -46.90
¦ Upstream ¦ Downstream
Figure 12 (same as in the main body of the report). Depth of scour holes at three tidal restrictions in Rumney Marsh.
Saugus and Revere, Massachusetts. The rectangles on this map identify the border colors in the figures below as
follows: red is the 1-95 crossing, green is the Route 107 crossing, and blue is the railroad crossing.
The bathymetric surface models shown below were interpolated from the depth sample points. Figure A-
2 depicts significant scour holes at the Railroad Bridge and Route 107 crossing of the Pines River.
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Route 107
0 10 20 30 Meters v , ,
LujllJ 1 1 ¦&>(
111111 1
0 50 100 Feet *
Railroad
0 10 2D 30 Meters
I I I
1 I I I I | 1
EPA surveyed depths in
the Pines River up- and
downstream of 3 river
crossings, and found
significant scouring at
these flow restrictions.
These maps show subtidal
areas (deeper than 5 feet
below NAVD88) with
bathymetric models
interpolated from point
soundings. Tidal areas
(from 5' below to 4.3'
above NAVD88) are shown
with MassGIS's LiDAR
elevation surface.
-45'
* These surveys are
referenced to NAVD88,
shown here as zero.
Mean Sea Level = -0.3'
Depths: EPA.
Elevation: MassGIS LiDAR.
Basemap: ESRI, DeLorme, USGS, NPS,
NOAA and the GIS User Community.
US EPA R1 GIS Center
#11984, 11/18/2019
Figure A-2. Bathymetry maps showing significant scour holes at the Railroad Bridge and Route
107 crossing of the Pines River.
Figure A-3 contains an inset map of the samples taken at the 1-95 crossing, with their depths labeled in
feet NAVD88. The upstream scour hole had a maximum depth at -25 feet, whereas the downstream
scour hole was -32 feet deep. The deeper downstream scour hole is indicative of an ebb dominant flow
pattern due to the faster draining higher velocity water. The actual crossing is armored with a bottom
depth of -9 to -10 feet NAVD88.
oEPA
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0 10 20 30 Meters
111111 I I
I-95 Embankment
r*i
Figure A-3. Top figure shows depth in feet NAVD88 at the Pines River crossing of the abandoned 1-95 embankment. Bottom
figure is a model which interpolated the depth between the samples.
The abandoned 1-95 embankment forms a continuous berm across the width of the marsh, with only one
opening for tidal flow and drainage purposes. This opening, which was intended to be spanned by a
bridge, is armored with rock in a trapezoidal fashion. Figure A4 (Figure 6 from the main report) is a plan
sheet from the Corps of Engineers September 1966 revised permit for the relocated Pines River crossing.
This plan shows that the crossing has a bottom width of 15 feet (4.7 meters) and depth set at -10 feet
below Mean Sea Level (NGVD29). This narrow opening increases the velocity of the current sufficiently
to result in significant scour holes of the bottom substrate at both sides of the crossing.
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Data A- 16- tast
R acord
Boston Navy
¦fori
BOO
W i4th of Proposed
Chonnal at M. H W
Not#
RocktMl to ML*
Riprap to EL. S.OO
Proposed Bottom of
Channel EL. - IO.OO ?
SHOWING
SCALES OF FEET
Ve'ltX
a o_
H*r <««•«•!
0
or* In !•••
r»f*r «• USCttGf U«
0«(m el «*I*
4 liaihl Ofld
• L*v*<
Ippro*. _E_*ift. 0f.
Width of Propopotad
Channel ot w L.W.
SECTION
RELOCATED
a - b
TEMPORARY CHANNEL
proposed Temporary Channel-
Relocation an a Fill
in PINES RIVER
ot SAUGUS
Count, of ESSEX
State of: MASSACHUSETTS
Application by:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
100 NASHUA ST., BOSTON,MASS.
Sheet 3 of 3 Do,« J"" . *966
Rev Sept , 1966
Figure A-4 also figure 6 in the main report. Corps permit plan for the relocated Pines River shows the armored crossing
dimensions and depth. Elevations are in feet and tenths and refer to US&GS Mean Sea Level Datum of 1929.
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Rumney Marsh
Restoration Areas
Saugus
Proposed MBTA
Salt Marsh
Mitigation Site
Revere
,to Boston
Wetlands,
Elevation:
Mass GIS.
Land Fill Areas
delineated using
current MADEP
wetlands layer, 1903
and 1943 USGS topo-
graphic maps, and Digital
Globe 2007 aerial imagery.
Basemap: ESRI contributors.
Total Restoration Area:* 313.3 acres
'J Complete 89.2 acres
Potential Upland Fill Removal Area 67,6 acres
I I Invasive Species / Insufficient Tidal Flow 156.5 acres
£^¦7 Historical Wetland Fill Since 1803: 1,258 acres
Estimated 45% Loss of Original Rumney Marsh
EPA Region 1 GIS Center
Map #11801. 1/19/2022
Successful Project - _. . . Insufficient tidal
Sufficient tidal flow: '' . flow to maintain a
(~9.5' tidal range) Restrictions* healthy salt marsh:
¦ Self-Regulating Tide Gate |
Q Culvert £
Flap Gate ^
* List: Page 3 Bridge;Waterway ~
0.5 Kilometer
mi Historical Creek
APPENDIX B - Rumney Morsh Restorotion Areas and Tidal Restrictions
Figure B-l also Figure 7 from main report. EPA Rumney Marsh Restoration Areas map depicts locations and status of various
fill removals, restoration projects, and tidal restrictions; detail for each area can be found in the following tables. The locations
of the former tidal channels that were altered by embankment construction are depicted in the blue dotted lines
Below is the acreage of restoration areas and their status and a chart of the tidal restrictions from EPA's
Rumney Marsh Web Page Rumney Marsh Restoration Area and Tidal Restrictions.
Restoration Areas
ID
Name
Acres
Status
Phragmites
Notes
i
National Park Service
2.9
Complete
*See locus map
2
Seagirt Ave Marsh
3.4
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
3
Ballard St Restoration
34.5
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
4
Potential Lynn South Harbor
Shoreline Restoration
2.0
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
Potential living shoreline
*See locus map
5
GE Salt Marsh Mitigation
0.2
Complete
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Restoration Areas (cont.)
ID
Name
Acres
Status
Phragmites
Notes
6
Saugus Ave Marsh
16.4
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
7
1-95 Salt Marsh Restoration Area
6
7.0
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
Peat from original marsh
8
RESCOSalt Marsh Restoration
Area
1.0
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
9
Crescent Marsh
22.8
Complete
Yes
MA DOT installed new culvert
February, 2021
10
1-95 Salt Marsh Restoration Area
5
1.3
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
11
1-95 Salt Marsh Restoration Area
4
3.6
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
Peat from original marsh
12
Park Street Marsh Restoration
Area
6.1
Complete
Overflooded marsh needs
some drainage
13
Massport Logan Airport
Mitigation
4.7
Complete
Plantings installed 2017
14
Saugus Racetrack
10.3
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
15
Saugus Racetrack Open Marsh
Water Mgmt. (OMWM)
8.6
Complete
Overflooded marsh needs
some drainage
16
Landfill Salt Marsh Restoration
Area
0.1
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
Large wood debris blocking
tidal flow
17
Route 107 Wetland
1.2
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
18
Saugus River Navigation Project
Mitigation
5.1
Complete
19
DOT Route 107 Bridges
Mitigation
0.6
Complete
20
Saugus Landfill Wetland
0.1
Complete
Yes
Invasive species dominated
21
1-95 Salt Marsh Restoration
North
24.0
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
22
Landfill Salt Marsh Restoration
Area
2.9
Complete
23
DCR Nahant Causeway
Mitigation
4.2
Complete
Natural colonization only
24
Linden Brook Restoration
0.8
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
25
Dewey Daggett Landfill
Shoreline Stabilization
0.2
Complete
Yes
Eroding landfill edge stabilized
with riprap
26
Pines River Channelization
Upland Fill
0.6
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
27
DCR Salt Marsh Restoration Area
3.5
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
Fill was found to be
contaminated
28
1-95 Salt Marsh Restoration Area
1
3.5
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
29
Corps Roughans Point Mitigation
Area
2.2
Complete
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Restoration Areas (cont.)
ID
Name
Acres
Status
Phragmites
Notes
30
Route 1A Tide gates
#1-4 Marsh
5.4
Complete
Maintenance needed to tide
gates for proper function
31
1-95 Salt Marsh Restoration
South
9.9
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
32
Copeland Circle Wetlands
2.4
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
33
Central Artery Marsh
Restoration
16.0
Complete
34
Caruso Marsh Restoration
Phragmites Zone
0.7
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
35
Caruso Marsh Restoration
1.7
Complete
36
Townline Brook Marsh
Restoration
39.0
Insufficient tidal flow
Yes
37
Route 1A Tide gates #5-6 Marsh
9.5
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
38
DCR Salt Marsh Restoration Area
2
0.8
Potential Upland Fill
Removal Area
Yes
39
BJ's Salt Marsh Restoration
0.3
Complete
40
Oak Island Marsh Restoration
5.5
Complete
41
Oak Island Marsh Restoration &
Eastern County Ditch
20.7
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
42
Hastings Street Salt Marsh
6.5
Invasive species
Yes
43
Naples Road Marsh
1.3
Invasive species
Yes
44
Central County Ditch Marsh
Restoration
22.9
Insufficient Tidal Flow
Yes
Tide gate needs bottom float
install
*See locus map
Tidal Restrictions
ID
Name
Type
Functioning
Status
Phragmites
Notes
A
Ballard St Tide
gate
Flap Gate
Yes
Complete
Yes
B
Seagirt Ave Marsh
Tide gate
Culvert
No
Potential
project
Yes
Obstructed 18-inch culvert and
ditch
C
Crescent Marsh
Culvert
Culvert
Yes
Complete
Yes
MA DOT culvert replacement
D
Bristow St Culvert
#2
Culvert
No
Potential
project
Yes
obstructed ditch; 18-inch culvert
E
Bristow St Culvert
#1
Culvert
No
Potential
project
Yes
Obstructed culvert and ditch
F
Route 107 Bridges
Mitigation
Culvert
Yes
Functioning
salt marsh
Failed culvert replaced to restore
salt marsh
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Tidal Restrictions (cont.)
ID
Name
Type
Functioning
Status
Phragmites
Notes
G
Route 107 E
Branch Pines River
Bridge
Yes
Complete
Bridge was replaced, with higher
and wider structure
H
Linden Brook Tide
gate
Flap Gate
No
Potential
project
Yes
Old wooden flap gate
1
Townline Brook
Tide gates (3)
SRT
No
Repairs
needed
Yes
Three SRTs are not being
operated per permit conditions,
three bottom floats missing
J
Route lATide
gate #1
SRT
Yes
Repairs
needed
Missing top floats need
replacement for flood control
K
1-95 Embankment
Waterway
Yes
Potential
Project
No
Armored crossing of Pines River
restricts flow and drainage across
marsh
L
Route lATide
gate #2
SRT
No
Repairs
needed
Missing top floats need
replacement; obstructed culvert
M
Copeland Circle
Tide gate
Flap Gate
No
Potential
project
Yes
Cast iron flap gate only supports
salt marsh from leakage
N
Pines River
Railroad Crossing
Bridge
Yes
Potential
Project
No
Limited vertical clearance at high
tide - due to low bridge structure
0
Route 107 Pines
River
Bridge
Yes
Complete
Bridge was replaced, with higher
and wider structure
P
Route lATide
gate #3
SRT
No
Repairs
needed
Crushed culvert outlet and stolen
grated vault cover need
replacement
Q
Route lATide
gate #4
SRT
Yes
Repairs
needed
Stolen grated vault cover needs
replacement
R
Route lATide
gate #5
SRT
No
Potential
project
Yes
Replace 24" culvert with larger
size. 48" SRT stolen grated vault
cover needs replacement
S
Route 107
Diamond Creek
Bridge
Yes
Complete
Bridge was replaced, with higher
and wider structure
T
Route lATide
gate #6
SRT
No
Repairs
needed
Yes
Completely obstructed 600-foot-
long culvert. Stolen grated vault
cover needs replacement
U
Oak Island Tide
gate
SRT
Yes
Under
restoration
New combo gate (2013). Portions
of salt marsh restored with
muted tidal hydrology
V
Central County
Ditch Tide gate
SRT
No
Repairs
needed
Yes
Not being operated properly to
maximize restoration; needs
bottom float installation
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APPENDIX C - Coostol Flooding Photos of East Sougus Morsh
This appendix provides photographs in chronological order of tidal flooding in East Saugus. Fae Saulenas,
a long-term Saugus resident, allowed EPA to use her fence and yard which abuts the salt marsh to
measure flood levels. The pictures below depict flooding at 26 Beachview Avenue in East Saugus unless
otherwise specified. EPA estimated the flood levels by first obtaining the location of a fence along the
property using Trimble GPS receivers to obtain X/Y coordinates, and subsequently obtaining those
points' elevations over Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) terrain data (MassGIS, 2013-2014; vertical
accuracy 18.13 cm). Using Massachusetts GIS Lidar data from the average of 13 points along the fence,
EPA estimates the fence ground elevation is at elevation 5.6 feet NAVD88. This elevation correlates
closely to our measurement during a king tide event on October 19, 2020, when we observed the highest
tide at the MassPort tide gauge, and then measured the fence height based on that flood level. We
compared the East Saugus estimated water levels to verified water levels from the Boston Harbor NOAA
tide gauge.
Figure C-l, which is labeled Figure 30 in the main report, plots Boston Harbor verified high tides and
estimated high tides in East Saugus, Massachusetts. The East Saugus estimated high water levels were
typically lower than Boston Harbor highest tides due to the tidal restriction at the downstream bridges.
Storm Surge Peak Water Levels
Boston
Verified
High
Tide
East
Saugus
HWL
6.00
5.50
Figure C-l also Figure 30 in the main report. Chart comparing Boston Harbor verified high tide elevations to the estimated
East Saugus high tide elevations, shows that tides are typically slightly lower in East Saugus, due to the tidal restriction at the
downstream bridges.
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Figure C-2, High tide debris from January 2, 2022, storm surge measures
16.5 inches from ground level or elevation 7.0 feet
NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-3, January 2, 2022, street flooding estimated at Figure C-4. January 2, 2022, flooding estimated at elevation
elevation 7. Ofeet NA VD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas. 7. Ofeet NA VD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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Figure C-5. December 6, 2021, estimated water
level 6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-6. December 6, 2021, estimated water
level 6.4 feet. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-7. November 5, 2021, estimated water level
6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
vi—. - — " -- 'i
i'PT 1 1
- r i
Figure C-8. April 30. 2021. Debris on fence 16 inches high
estimated at elevation 6.9feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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Figure C-9. December 17, 2020, high water estimated at
6.6 feet NA VD88, Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-10. April 9, 2020, high water estimated at
elevation 6.6 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-12. February 7, 2020, high water estimated
at elevation 6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
EPA/901/R-22/0011 December 2022 EPA Science
Figure C-13. December 14, 2019, tidal flooding at 4:11 PM
estimated at 6.6 feet NAVD. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Inventory EPA Rumnev Marsh
65 | Page
Figure C-ll. April 9, 2020, Beachview Ave high water at 2:20
p.m. estimated at 6.6feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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Figure C-14. November 28, 2019, high tide estimated at Figure C-15. November 28, 2019, high tide estimated at
6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulerias. elevation 6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-16. November 25, 2018, high water level estimated at Figure C-17. November 25, 2018, Beachview Ave estimated
elevation 6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas. water elevation 6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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Figure C-18. November 25, 2018, tidal flooding estimated at Figure C-19. November 25, 2018, tidal flooding Belair Street
6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulerias. estimated at 6.4 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulerias.
Figure C-20. November 25. 2018 high tide estimated at 6.4 feet
NAVD 88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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Figure C-21. March 30, 2018, high tide estimated at elevation
6.2feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-22. March 4, 2018, high tide estimated at elevation
6.4 feet NAVD88, Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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Figure C-25. March 1, 2018, high tide at 2:04 pm estimated Figure C-26. January 30.2018 high tide debris 18-inches high
at elevation 6.4 Feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas. estimated elevation 7.1 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
Figure C-23, March 3, 2018, high tide on Belair street
estimated at 7.5 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Ed Reiner.
Figure C-24. March 3, 2018, high tide on BeachviewAve
estimated at 7.5 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Ed Reiner.
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Figure C-27. December 3, 2017, high tide on Beachview Ave estimated at
elevation 6.6 feet NAVD88. Photo credit Fae Saulenas.
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APPENDIX D - Vegetation and Elevation Survey in the EastSaugus Marsh
Salt marsh vegetation is distinguished from freshwater wetland vegetation due to adaptations that allow
inundation with salt water. Vegetation sorts itself, based on the ability to tolerate frequency and
duration of inundation with salt water. In general, low salt marsh typically below MHW is dominated by
Spartina alterniflora, a plant that can tolerate twice daily flooding. High salt marsh vegetation generally
grows on the relatively flat high marsh platform above the vertical plain of MHW. High salt marshes only
flood during full and new moons which are referred to as spring tide periods.
The USACE formerly mapped the wetland boundaries in Rumney Marsh and found that the whole marsh
would flood in a 7.0-foot NGVD29 water level which is approximately 6.12 feet NAVD88. With the
increased tides caused by the Route 107 bridges reconstruction, as well as sea level rise, the vegetation
in the salt marsh is subject to more frequent and longer periods of inundation. This is particularly evident
where the salt marsh may have lost elevation through subsidence due to the former tidal restriction. In
many New England salt marshes, the normally dry high salt marsh is transforming into wetter marshes
dominated by short form Spartina alterniflora.
Principal investigator Ed Reiner surveyed a portion of the East Saugus Marsh to obtain information on
vegetation in the marsh. Data was collected during five visits to the marsh on February 23 and 24, March
2, August 11, and August 12, 2021. Trimble GeoXH GPS was used to obtain X/Y coordinates for the
identified vegetation species sampling those points' elevations over Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
terrain data (MassGIS. 2013-2014; vertical accuracy 18.13 cm).
Figure D-l depicts box plots of the elevation ranges found for the sampled vegetation using the
Massachusetts GIS Lidar data layer. Figure D-2 is a map of the sampled vegetation color coded for the
identified species. A typical zonation pattern of salt marsh plants was found. The most significant
observation from this data was the finding of stunted Phragmites australis and Iva frutescens growing at
similar elevations as Distichlis spicata and Spartina patens around elevation 6.0 feet NAVD88. It
appeared that many of the stands of Iva in the high marsh were stunted in height and had an understory
of salt marsh plants. This indicates that frequent enough inundation at these elevations is occurring to
cause stunting. Salicornia sp., a pioneering salt marsh species was found in some low-lying yard areas
revealing the occasional tidal inundation to developed property at the edge of the salt marsh. Also,
Typha angustifolia was observed growing in the northwestern part of the East Saugus Marsh, indicating a
more brackish water condition, possibly affected by colonial era dikes constructed for farming hay near
and above elevation 6.0 feet NAVD88. Taller Phragmites australis is prevalent in the northwestern corner
of the marsh near Saugus Avenue, likely due to the freshened salinity conditions from groundwater
discharge and runoff affected by the colonial era dikes.
The vegetation survey results provide corollary evidence of higher tides upstream of the abandoned 1-95
embankment, compared to before the Route 107 bridges reconstruction project. The presence of
stunted Phragmites at elevations near 6.0 feet NAVD88 and above is an indication that these areas are
being inundated frequently enough with salt water to stunt vertical growth. From the water level data,
monthly spring tides during new and full moon periods are near or just above elevation 6.0 NAVD88. The
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increased tides on the upstream side of the abandoned 1-95 embankment are causing a reduction of the
height, density, and presence of both Phragmites and Iva frutescens.
Elevation (Lidar) by Plant Characterization at East Saugus Marsh
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I Spartina alterniflora
3 Spartina patens
Distichlis spicata
3 Iva frutescens
I Stunted Phragmites austral is
I Phragmites australis
3 Typha sp.
Salicornia sp.
I Lepidium latifolium
Juncus garardii
3 Umonium carolinianuim
Figure D-l. Box chart depicting elevation data ranges based on Lidar data for vegetation species observed in the East Saugus Marsh.
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'••-X
Distichlis spicata
Distichlis spicata, tva frutescens #
) Distichlis spicata, Spartina alterniflora
Q Distichlis spicata, Spartina patens
O Iva frutescens
Q Iva frutescens, Phragmites australis
Q Iva frutescens, stunted Phragmites australis
Juncus gerardii
# Lepidium latifolium
Limonium carolinianum
Phragmites australis
Salicornia
Spartina alterniflora
Spartina alterniflora, Distichlis spicata
Spartina patens
Spartina patens, Distichlis spicata
Stunted Iva frutescens
Stunted Iva frutescens, Juncus gerardii
0 Stunted Phragmites australis
0 Stunted Phragmites australis, Distichlis spicata
• Stunted Phragmites australis, Juncus gerardii
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Esri Community Maps Contributors, MassGIS, €' OpenStreetMap, Microsoft, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph,
GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA
Figure D-2. Map of vegetation species identified in the East Saugus Marsh, 2021.
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APPENDIX E - Additional Graphs of the Study Results
Figure E-l shows the peak daily tide (MHHW) for the entire 142-day study period. A number of
comparisons of the peak daily water levels (MHHW) were made to assess the tidal restrictions at each of
the three crossings. The peak daily water levels of the Lower Pines versus Upstream Railroad were
compared to determine if the railroad bridge is a tidal restriction. The data shows virtually identical peak
water levels as the tide passes under the railroad bridge, except at the highest tides of the month which
shows a slight tidal restriction (Figure E-2). The peak daily water levels of Upstream 1-95 and East Saugus
were also compared. This data shows nearly identical peak water levels for the two stations upstream of
the abandoned 1-95 embankment (Figure E-3).
Then the peak daily water levels of East Saugus and Upstream Railroad were compared. This data shows
the highest water levels in East Saugus are slightly lower than Upstream Railroad, which reveals a slight
tidal restriction associated with the Route 107 bridges (Figure E-4). Comparing the East Saugus peak daily
water level with Upstream Route 107 also shows slightly reduced peak daily tides on the upstream side
of Route 107 at the highest tides (Figure E-5). Comparing the East Saugus peak daily water level (MHHW)
with Upstream Route 107 shows nearly equal water levels, except during neap tides where tidal water
levels are slightly higher on the upstream side of Route 107 (Figure E-6). This data suggests that both the
railroad bridge and Route 107 bridges cause a tidal restriction at the highest tides.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from 4/16/2019 4:00:00 PM EST to 9/5/2019 6:00:00 PM EST
6.00
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Dates in 2019
Upstream Route 107 (Unit G) - Upstream 1-95 (Unit E)
;t SauqusfUnit F)
Figure E-l. Graph of peak daily water level (MHHW) from five stations along the Pines River in Saugus and Revere, Massachusetts for the 142-day period
from April 16 -September 5, 2019.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from 4/16/2019 4:00:00 PM EST to 6/7/2019 9:00:00 AM EST
6.00-
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Figure E-2. Comparison of Lower Pines peak daily water level (MHHW) versus Upstream Railroad shows virtually identical peak water levels as the tide passes
under the railroad bridge, except at the highest tides of the month which reveals a slight tidal restriction at the railroad bridge.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from4/16/20194:00:00PM EST to6/7/20199KXMOAM EST
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Figure E3. Comparison of Lower Pines peak daily water level with Upstream Route 107 shows consistently lower daily tides on the upstream side of Route 107
demonstrating a small tidal restriction at the highest tides.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from 4/16/2019 4:00:00 PM EST to 6/7/2019 9:00:00 AM EST
6.00-
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Figure E-4. Comparison of Upstream 1-95 and East Saugus shows nearly identical peak water levels for the two stations upstream of the abandoned 1-95
embankment.
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft. NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from4/16/20194:00:00PM EST to 6/7/20199:00:00AM EST
Figure E-5. Comparison of East Saugus with Upstream Railroad shows the highest water ieveis are slightly iower than Upstream Railroad, a result we
attribute to the Route 107 Bridges Reconstruction Project.
J? &
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Dates in 2019
— llpstU'Sm RR (Unit Cl - East Saugus (Unit F)
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Daily Tidal Peak Water Level (ft, NAVD88) by Stations
Observed from 4/16/2019 4:00:00 PM EST to 6/7/2019 9:00:00 AM EST
Ml Moon
Dates in 2019
Upstream Routt 107 {Unit G3 * East S
Figure E-6. Comparison of Upstream Route 107 with East Saugus shows the slightly reduced peak daily tides on the upstream side of Route 107.
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APPENDIX F - Quality Assurance Project Plan
Available on request.
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