Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Explained

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Map:	USA Massachusetts
Relief:	1
Location:	Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates:	41.5814°N -70.525°W
Area Acre:	2700
Established:	1988
Operator:	Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website:	Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) encompasses open waters, barrier beaches, marshlands and uplands on the south shore of Cape Cod in the towns of Falmouth and Mashpee. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The WBNERR is representative of the northern section (Cape Cod to Sandy Hook) of the Virginian biogeographic region. WBNERR is located within the transitional border between the Virginian and Acadian biogeographic regions.^[1]

Reserve areas

The reserve comprises several individual sites:

• Visitor Center/Headquarters Property 28acres The Visitor's Center is open year round, Monday through Friday, 10 am – 4 pm. Has a short nature trail and runs numerous seasonal education programs.
• South Cape Beach State Park, Sage Lot Pond and Flat Pond This eastern section of the reserve serves has a swimming beach which is a noted surf casting site during the annual bluefish and striped bass migrations. It is also a nesting ground for protected species such as piping plover and least tern. Sage Lot and Flat Ponds are salt ponds to the east of Waquoit Bay.
  • Washburn Island Quashnet River Property The river is the largest source of fresh water to the Bay and is mostly surrounded by upland forests. There is a three-mile (5 km) loop trail along the river. Trout Unlimited that has converted a cranberry bog channel back to a river.
• North Quashnet Woodlands Pine woodlands and an abandoned cranberry bog.
• Waquoit Bay Fresh water enters the Bay from four principal sources: the Quashnet/Moonakis River, Red Brook, Childs River, and ground water flow.

The following are salt ponds to the east of Waquoit Bay which are best explored by kayak:

• Hamblin Pond,
• Jehu Pond,
• Abigail's Brook

The following freshwater ponds drain to the Waquoit Bay at the northern side and offer kayaking and fishing:

• Bog Pond,
• Bourne Pond, is just over in surface area and consequently is considered a Great Pond under the laws of the Massachusetts. As such it is kept in trust for all citizens and is not privately owned.
• Caleb Pond, .
• Childs River

Abandoned cranberry bogs and pine woodlands.

History

Artifacts dating back 450–1000 years, including hammer flakes and shell middens, have been found on the Washburn Island. As late as the early 19th century, some Wampanoags still lived around Bourne and Caleb ponds, at a spring supplying fresh water to both settlers and Native Americans.^[2]

The administrative, research, and education buildings are located in the historic buildings of the Sargent Estate. Purchased in 1987 by the Commonwealth, great care was given in restoring the buildings. The Quashnet River Property was also purchased in 1987 and incorporated into the Reserve. The Reserve and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife manage the river property.

Activities and amenities

In addition to interpretive programs, the reserve offers opportunities for hiking, boating, camping, fishing, and restricted hunting.

External links

• Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Department of Conservation and Recreation

Notes and References

1. Web site: Draft Environmental Impact Statement & Draft Management Plan . U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Sanctuary Programs Division . July 1984 . July 16, 2013.
2. Web site: Introducing Waquoit Bay Research Reserve . Pat . Harcourt . Flotsam & Jetsam . Massachusetts Marine Educators . Fall 2010 . July 16, 2013.