They are oft-overlooked resources crucial to sustaining Lynn and surrounding communities, and summer is the perfect time to rediscover the importance of local waterways.
Except for annually announcing the awards it wins for water quality, the Lynn Water and Sewer Commission is rarely recognized for its stewardship of a reservoir system that provides Lynn with great drinking water.
Many Eastern Massachusetts communities rely on water sent through miles of supply pipes but Lynn’s water system is home grown. Breeds, Hawkes, Birch and Walden ponds are supply reservoirs located in four separate water supply protection areas spanning Lynn, Lynnfield and Saugus.
With water supplied from the Ipswich and Saugus rivers, the city is never more than a few miles from its water source. The reservoirs are beautiful naturescapes strictly off limits to recreation. But the Saugus River, like the Mystic River running through Medford, are two waterways pleasurably explored during the summer months.
Both rivers are working waterways with histories spanning centuries. A visit to the Iron Works demonstrates how early Americans harnessed the Saugus River’s power and a drive down Route 107 passes the fishing boat moorings where lobster boat owners still make a living on the ocean with the river as their refuge.
Fortunately, both rivers are protected by strong environmental advocacy groups — Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment and the Mystic River Watershed Association. The organizations host cleanups and river studies and enjoy the strong support of elected officials.
Rumney Marsh and Belle Isle Marsh in Revere have benefited from state wildlife and waterway protection designations and strong stewardship from Wheelabrator. The marshlands are easily explored on foot and student groups venture along their paths to study vegetation and wildlife.
Marinas from Point of Pines to Seaport Marina in Lynn and moorings in Marblehead are primarily focused on motor and sail craft. Swampscott has a small but expanding water board sport niche with surfboards and paddleboards gaining popularity.
A minority of residents in Lynn and surrounding communities own boats or try to surf in the Atlantic Ocean even in summertime. But being in the water or even being next to it provides the valuable appreciation required to ensure coastal communities continue making sound and sensible decisions.
Drinking water sources and commercially-important harbors and marinas cannot become an afterthought for planners and elected officials. Bad decisions that lead to river pollution or poorly-planned development along waterfronts can take years to reverse. But individual familiarity, appreciation and respect for the water resources a couple of miles, even a couple of hundred feet, from many area homes can ensure their preservation for decades to come.