Latest news with #ConnecticutRiver
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Blumenthal wants funding to fight hydrilla
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) wants more federal dollars to address the rapid infestation of an invasive aquatic species in the Connecticut River. Blumenthal joined with environmental advocates in Hartford on Friday to announce his request for an additional $5.5 million to help combat the growth and removal of hydrilla. Connecticut leaders hoping to draw tourists this summer It threatens boating and fishing in the Connecticut River watershed. It also spreads easily. Fragments of the plant can be transported by boats and boat trailers, so Connecticut leaders want you to remember, 'clean, drain, dry.' 'When you take your boat out of the water, make sure you inspect it and the trailer for any signs of vegetation and remove those,' Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spokesman Justin Davis said. 'There's actually a state law that requires you to do so. Drain all the water out of the vessel. Get the boat dry as possible and then let it sit. We recommend you let it sit for up to five days.' An aggressive eradication and management program to tackle this issue began in Connecticut last summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flood warning in effect for Connecticut River after heavy rains
A flood warning for the Connecticut River that extends from Enfield through Hartford is in effect until late Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The warning said minor flooding is forecast and that portions of the river may continue to flood, according to the NWS. The river is expected to rise above the flood stage of 15 feet. The NWS said lowland flooding will begin along the river near the Thompsonville section of Enfield. Minor flooding impacts may be seen downstream as far as Haddam, the NWS said. 'The river is expected to rise above flood stage late tonight to a crest of 15.4 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Monday morning,' according to a flood warning from the NWS. The flooding is due to a series of heavy rainfall events that swelled the river over the last few days, according to officials. In Connecticut, minor flooding shut down roads Friday. Officials in Old Lyme warned drivers to avoid Cross Lane for most of the day on Friday due to flooding. In Wolcott, flooding caused a police officer to have to be rescued after his cruiser slid into a pond, officials said. The NWS said areas that may be affected by flooding include roads along the river, parks, and recreation areas. Weather officials noted that most flooding deaths occur in vehicles and urge drivers to never try to drive through flooded roads. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Holyoke tackles long-promised fix of sewer overflows
HOLYOKE — Long-awaited work to separate stormwater from wastewater in a section of Holyoke, reducing pollution of the Connecticut River, is set to begin, fulfilling a commitment to the federal government. Trucks and pipes will be a common sight in the River Terrace area off Northampton Street, as a massive sewer project begins. In September 2023, a judge approved an agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the city to fix violations of the Clean Water Act caused by sewer overflows. Holyoke was told to reduce the amount of untreated water from its sewer and stormwater systems going into the river and to do more work to separate the sewers. Victoria Houle, the project manager and assistant city engineer, said residents should expect most of the repairs to be done this year, with additional work, including full-width road paving, in 2026. The Department of Public Works will post regular construction updates on its Facebook page. 'People should share this information with their neighbors,' Houle said. Residents might also have short interruptions to water or sewer service. The contractor will leave door tags to notify residents about 24 hours before disruptions, Houle said. 'From a development standpoint, this project helps the city meet its overall goal of replacing and repairing the aging infrastructure system and separating the combined systems that exist today,' Houle said. Work officially started April 1 and crews have been hauling in materials. Residents should expect to see construction start on the River Terrace Project by late May, she said. Project goals The project will add about 4,200 feet of new sewer lines, 200 feet of smaller sewer pipes, 8,000 feet of storm drains and 8,000 feet of lining inside old pipes. Other improvements include fixing small pipe problems, adding manholes and catch basins, closing off old pipes and fixing roads and grassy areas. Road repairs will involve removing the top layer and putting down new pavement across the entire width. The first phase of the River Terrace 'sewer separation' aims to eliminate combined wastewater and stormwater flows. The area is divided into two subareas, A and B, both of which feed into an area regulator before going to the city's Wastewater Treatment Facility on Berkshire Avenue. Phase A of the project includes work on Hampton Knolls Road, Jefferson Street, Vadnais Street, George Street, Liberty Street, Woodbine Lane, Bemis Road, Meadowview Road, Hillview Road and Northampton Street from George Street to River Terrace. Final plans for Phase B are due to be finished by June 2026. That phase will include work on River Terrace, Pleasant Street, Montgomery Avenue, Bullard Avenue, Wyckoff Avenue, Briarwood Drive, Mountain View Drive, Steiger Road, Central Park Drive and Northampton Street from River Terrace to north of Mountain View Drive. Overflow issue A combined sewer system collects rainwater, household sewage and industrial wastewater into one pipe. Normally, all wastewater goes to a treatment facility to remove contaminants and improve water quality before being released into a waterbody. During heavy rain, the volume of combined wastewater can be too much for the existing system to handle, causing untreated wastewater to flow into streams and rivers. Holyoke, Springfield and Chicopee are communities along the Connecticut River with sewer systems that mix rainwater and wastewater. These cities have been working to eliminate overflow areas to improve water quality and meet MassDEP and EPA standards. Managing system The River Terrace project breaks grounds as three companies seek a contract to manage Holyoke's wastewater and stormwater systems for the next 10 years. A new company will be selected by Wednesday, May 7, and the new contract will start Oct. 1, Assistant City Solicitor Michael D. Bissonnette has said. Mary L. Monahan, chair of the Holyoke Department of Public Works Board, said a groundbreaking ceremony is planned in the coming weeks. The city plans to invite state Sen. John Velis and state Rep. Patricia Duffy, who helped get money for the project, Monahan said. 'We got a 0% loan interest with 9% percent debt forgiveness, and 20 years to pay it off.' Monahan said. 'Which is a great deal.' The project is paid for by the Commonwealth's Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, run by the Department of Environmental Protection. Read the original article on MassLive.
