At seventeen miles long, the Fort River is ecologically significant as the longest, undammed tributary in Massachusetts of the Connecticut River. Its watershed encompasses the Western Massachusetts towns of Amherst, Belchertown, Hadley, Pelham, and Shutesbury. In 2019, a group of volunteers, including scientists, conservationists, town planners, educators, and activists, formed the Fort River Watershed Association to investigate strategies for managing and improving water quality in the 58-acre watershed. The association partnered with the Connecticut River Conservancy, the Conway School, and key stakeholders within the watershed to investigate such strategies. This report is the result of this collaboration. It provides an ecological assessment of the watershed and recommends strategies for improving water quality.
