Assabet After the Fish Kill

The Assabet River was in the news this week after hundreds of dead fish were found in the Stow section of the river last Saturday (7/20).  Apparently they were victims of our recent heat wave and the unusually high water temperatures that resulted.
This morning I visited that section of the Assabet to see what, if any, effects of the fish kill remained.  After launching at Magazu's Landing in Stow, I headed upriver passing between where the old Marlboro Branch RR trestle pilings remain submerged (at left).  Each patch of weeds marks a row of 4 pilings, and was like a train having left footprints in the river.

The first and only dead fish was seen about one mile upstream of Sudbury Road...

The question as to whether any live fish would be seen was soon answered in the affirmative as many fish of various sizes were observed swimming about. The multiple deluge rain events of the past week seem to have moved the dead fish downstream and lowered the water temperatures to more normal levels.  In one shallow backwater, my thermometer measured a water temperature of 70 degrees.

Following a beaver into Fort Meadow Brook led to an encounter with this (elderly?) painted turtle...

This fella wasn't moving for anything or anybody!

Just before reaching the Rt. 62 bridge in Gleasondale I came upon this life jacket...

and believe it's the one reported missing following a boat upset back on 6/16 in Hudson.  A dry bag from the same boat was found very close to this spot on 6/29.

The trip back downriver was made all the more pleasant thanks to the free air show, of sorts, provided by two vintage aircraft.  One was this brightly colored bi-plane...

...and the other was a more conventional looking plane seen taking off from the riverside runway...



 

 

A sign seen along the nearby road better explains the day's events...

 

 

This blue heron displayed its own grace in taking flight...

 

 

Back at Magazu's Landing my day's catch gathered hullside...

 

 

There were 10 recyclable containers (2 redeemable) and 25 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, a mylar balloon, and the usual nip bottles.  YTD = 3606