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  • Introductory Material
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  • Instream Flow
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  • Definitions, Programs & Abbreviations
  • Bibliography & Reviewers
• Resource Assessment
• 1990 NH RMPP Legislation
• 2011 NH RMPP Legislation
• Wild & Scenic Enabling Legislation
• State & Federal Designations
  • State: NH Rivers Mgmt & Protection Program
  • Federal: Wild and Scenic Rivers Program
  • NH Rivers FAQs
  • Wild and Scenic River FAQs
• meeting agendas and minutes
  • Meeting Notes 2012-02-23
  • Meeting Notes 2012-01-26
  • Meeting Notes 2011-12-15
  • Meeting Notes 2011-11-17
• RMMP slides by Jacquie Colburn
• Project Review packets
  • Raymond United Vets' Club appl'n
  • Raymond United Vets' Club maps

The Lamprey River drains an increasingly populous watershed of 212 square miles, the largest watershed and the longest tributary to the Great Bay Estuary, a National Estuarine Research Reserve. This largely forested and relatively undeveloped river corridor supports important floodplain forests, extensive shrub and emergent marsh wetlands, and scattered openings and fields among the forested uplands. The floodplains, backwaters, vernal pools, fields, and forests are home to a great diversity of wildlife including significant populations of Blanding’s, spotted, and wood turtles, species of conservation concern in New Hampshire.

Six of the nine riverine freshwater mussels known to occur in New Hampshire, including the state-endangered brook floater, are found in the Lamprey River. The Lamprey is one of the state’s most significant rivers for anadromous fish such as river herring and American shad, as well as many freshwater fish. More than 150 species of birds breed or winter along the river corridor, or stop over during migration. In addition, the Lamprey supports the ecosystem of the Great Bay Estuary by providing fresh water and habitat for the many species found there.

Compared to other rivers in the region, the lower Lamprey River’s channel, floodplain, and adjacent wetlands are still relatively intact, making possible the wide range of plants, fish, and other wildlife that live here. Their persistence depends on maintaining water quality, flow patterns, riparian vegetation, and unfragmented uplands. Intact riparian areas (buffers) and associated wetlands help protect the river from soil erosion and sediments, excessive nutrients, pollutants, and over-heating in summer sun, as well as slowing the flow of seasonal or storm flood waters. Several key management challenges affect the ecological integrity of the river corridor. These include increasing development, invasive species, fish restoration and passage upriver, habitat fragmentation, water withdrawals, and stormwater, sediment, and nutrient runoff into the river.

The ecology of the Lamprey, as summarized above, was found by the National Park Service to represent an “outstandingly remarkable” resource value worthy of recognition and protection through the Wild and Scenic Rivers System (1995 Draft Report to Congress).

Accomplishments:

• Sponsored research and surveys along the river on amphibians, reptiles (especially turtles), birds, mammals, mussels, plants and plant communities, floodplains, vernal pools, and river characteristics in the four towns. This research helped to determine land protection priorities, and provided information pertinent to review of proposed developments. The LRAC’s research also is useful to the Instream Flow study, LRAC’s education and outreach activities, and helps track the ecological health of the river corridor.
• Worked with NH Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to plan and advocate for fish passage at the Wiswall Dam in Durham, which would open 47 miles of aquatic habitat for migrating fish. LRAC disseminated public information about the project through mailings and public hearings. Alternatives continue to be evaluated.

Goals:

• Work with and build upon existing inventories and conservation plans that encompass the Lamprey River watershed.

• Restore and protect the ecological functions and values of the lower Lamprey River watershed that are critical to wildlife and humans.

Key Future Actions:

• Compile and further analyze the findings of the plant, wildlife, and other ecological studies done by the LRAC and others within the Wild and Scenic designated area within the past 15 years.

• Work with others to insure an up-to-date natural resource inventory including updated GIS maps of key resources (e.g., habitat) and problems (e.g., invasive species) within the lower four towns.

  • Continue to identify important wildlife use areas, travel corridors, and unfragmented lands and work with appropriate partners toward protection of these areas.

• Work with NHDES to explore the undertaking of a “Tiered Aquatic Life Use” classification system to characterize the ecological health of the river, segment by segment.

• Based on the analysis in the preceding action items and in consultation with NH Fish and Game (and its New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan), UNH, Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership, NH Coastal Program (and its Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watersheds), and other conservation partners, identify the highest priority research and inventory projects that will lead to greater understanding and long-term protection of the ecological values of the Lamprey River.
  • Create an internal document that divides the river into segments and places available information into a user-friendly computer program, with files where information can be stored.
• Work to eradicate invasive species.
  • Inventory the occurrence of invasive species in the lower Lamprey River corridor and develop management strategies including educational materials to prevent and control invasives.
  • Continue efforts to eradicate the large population of Japanese knotweed at Wadleigh Falls.
• Continue to work with NH Fish and Game and the Town of Durham on providing fish passage at the Wiswall Dam area.
  • Work with NH Fish and Game to identify suitable areas for native trout habitat and manage for trout survival.
• Develop a 10-year monitoring program, including the metrics to monitor and assess our collective progress in protecting the ecological integrity of the river and its watershed.
• As part of the overall LRAC outreach program, identify key audiences and develop targeted materials and programs that highlight the ecological significance of the river and opportunities to conserve these resources.
• Partner with conservation groups, UNH, town governments, and others to conduct educational programs that inform riparian landowners, recreational users, and the general public of the importance of conserving wildlife and their habitats. Activities may include:
  • forums and programs related to riparian buffer areas and river stewardship practices that conserve wildlife habitats and ecological functions of the river
  • a river stewardship display for libraries and events which include “take away” information for the public which emphasize “tread lightly” policies
  • newspaper columns, press releases, television spots, and town newsletters
  • public events such as nature walks and canoe trips, in partnership with local watershed organizations such as the Lamprey River and Oyster River Watershed Associations, town conservation commissions, and land trusts.
• Assist the four town governments in updating and creating policies, regulations, and programs that protect sensitive wildlife habitats, reduce habitat fragmentation, and conserve river functions such as flood and erosion control, nutrient uptake, and temperature regulation. This includes:
  • Encourage the four towns to establish setback standards that protect the river. Work to extend this standard throughout the watershed in partnership with town boards and other conservation organizations.
  • Ensure that development within the corridor occurs in a way that protects rivers and adjacent sensitive areas and minimizes habitat fragmentation.
  • Encourage towns to adopt measures such as clustering away from the river, perhaps with incentives such as density bonuses.
  • Continue to review and comment on all development proposals that have an impact on the river ecosystem, in concert with appropriate conservation commissions and planning boards (a statutory responsibility of the LRAC).
  • Provide input to the state’s Lamprey River Instream Flow Study relative to protection of ecological resources through good stream flow management.
  • Continue to work with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to assure that highway and bridge construction projects are carried out in a way that minimizes impacts to the river’s flora, fauna, and water quality.
• Continue to inform and work with interested landowners who have areas identified as ecologically sensitive or important, to encourage and assist them in determining and implementing specific protection and stewardship measures (such as conservation easements). Facilitate partnerships with towns and other organizations to implement the protection measures.
• Continue to focus on instream flow issues, including maintaining an ecologically healthy flow to feed Great Bay and the Great Bay Estuary.