Broad Meadows Marsh Restoration

Broad Meadows was a tidally influenced salt marsh prior to a Corps navigation improvement project placing dredged material in this area in the early 1950s, which increased its elevation above that of regular tidal flooding converting it to a lower value, non-tidal habitat dominated by the reed species known as Phragmites australis. Broad Meadows was recognized as a potentially valuable site and the marsh restoration effort through the Corps program to modify projects to improve the environment (Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986) began early this year.

The project is set to restore the area by creating 35 acres of high and low salt marsh (including channels), 20 acres of high marsh, and five acres of bordering vegetative wetlands, all aiming to increase the ecological value of the area. To do this, the area will have to be excavated to get rid of Phragmites australis, and to bring the floor back to pre-1950's levels to provide the right conditions for the salt marsh to redevelop.

Project Status:

The District, together with the City of Quincy completed the salt marsh restoration at Broad Meadows Marsh in 2013. A portion of the project was partially funded by the Neponset River Watershed Association. The restoration replaced the low value common reed (Phragmites australis) with salt marsh, wet meadows and grasslands, improving habitat for fish and wildlife. A major milestone was reached on Dec. 21, 2011 when the marsh was flooded by tidal water for the first time after being buried under dredged material for more than 80 years. The District and City are working to improve the walking paths this summer (2014) and will continue to manage Phragmites throughout the site.

For more information, please contact the Project Manager, by e-mail or by calling 978-318-8603.

- Updated: May 28, 2014

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