Fuller and Waban Brooks, Wellesley, MA
"Find It and Fix It" Water Quality Monitoring 

Summary

• Fuller and Waban Brooks Sampling Site Map
• Fuller and Waban Brooks Photos
• Fuller and Waban Brooks Sampling Site Descriptions
• Fuller and Waban Brooks Water Quality Results

The eastern fork of Fuller Brook begins near Wellesley’s western border with Natick and flows north toward Hunnewell Park where it makes a U-turn to begin its southward journey toward the Charles.  The western fork of Fuller Brook commences just north of Rt. 9 in Wellesley, flows south through the duck pond at Wellesley’s Town Hall and meets the eastern fork near Wellesley Center.  The brook then flows southwest and meets up with the Charles near Elm Bank Reservation.  Waban Brook flows a mere half mile from Lake Waban before discharging into Fuller Brook near Service Drive on the Wellesley College campus. 

CRWA has conducted water quality monitoring on these brooks on two dry weather occasions:  July 18, 2007 and October 4, 2007.  Samples were collected at eight sites along Fuller and Waban Brooks.  Click here for site map .  Samples were analyzed for several pollutants of most concern in the watershed: E. coli bacteria, total suspended solids and total phosphorus.  CRWA also measured several in situ parameters including dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity and water temperature.  Click here for monitoring results . 

E. coli levels at five of eight sites sampled exceeded the State Water Quality Standard for swimming (126 cfu/100mL) during both water monitoring events.  Particularly high E. coli counts were observed at the Wellesley Town Hall duck pond and sites downstream.  The Wellesley Town Hall duck pond site was the only site to also exceed State Boating Standards (630 cfu/100mL) during both sampling events.  The waterfowl at the duck pond are a significant source of bacterial contamination to the brooks.  On July 18, 2007, the E. coli concentration observed at the duck pond site, COL1, was 4,950 cfu/100mL and just downstream of the pond, at Site FUL1, the E. coli concentration was 1,730 cfu/100mL.  On October 4, 2007, E. coli concentrations at COL1 and FUL1 were 630 cfu/100mL and 730 cfu/100 mL, respectively.     

During both sampling events, total phosphorus levels at all sites exceeded US EPA’s recommended total phosphorus criteria in Level III, Ecoregion XIV.  Total phosphorus levels in July were extremely high; levels at six out of the eight sites were at least five times greater than EPA’s criteria.  Excessive nutrients are a significant problem throughout the Charles River, which requires the development and implementation of nutrient TMDLs .  Fertilizers from lawns, playing fields and golf courses, as well as pet and wildlife waste, organic matter from lawn clippings and leaf litter, detergents and automobile emissions, are some of the likely sources of nutrients to these brooks.  Many areas of Fuller and Waban Brooks are directly abutted by manicured lawns, therefore, it is highly likely that lawn clippings and fertilizers are regularly washed into these brooks.      

CRWA also observed problems with total suspended solids and dissolved oxygen in Fuller and Waban Brooks.  The sediment concentration at Site COL1 from our July 2007 sampling event was very high.  In October, 2007, CRWA observed significant erosion along the banks at Sites FUL4 and FUL1c.  Additionally, significant sediment build up is occurring at Site FUL1, where the stream bed has been nearly filled in with sediment.  Finally, low dissolved oxygen levels were observed in the brooks during both sampling events.  During both sampling events Sites FUL 3 and COL1 were below the State standards of 5 mg/L and 60% saturation.  When dissolved oxygen reaches dangerously low levels aquatic life can no longer survive in the environment. 

Unlike other tributaries CRWA has monitored, relatively small amounts of trash were observed along the banks of Fuller and Waban Brooks.  Additionally, much of this brook is abutted by a well used walking path.  CRWA hopes to work with our watershed residents to keep this brook clean so it continues to be an attractive spot for walking, running, biking and picnicking.  Click here to find out what you can do to help keep the Charles River and its tributaries clean !