The FP5 section of Fort Pond Brook begins at the east side of Route 27
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Historic site: Mill dam on Fort Pond Brook, View from Rte. 27
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bordered to the north by the Railroad and School Street and to the south by High Street in Acton, and ends at the dam on River Street approximately ¼ mile plus downstream. This segment of the brook is composed of three distinct segments due to the rate of flow and water quality.
The upper segment (1) from Rte. 27 to the Railroad Bridge crossing is fast moving beginning with a dramatic falls over ledge and boulders with steep banks, which make it difficult to access to determine depth. The water color is tannic with a slight septic odor (sensed by one surveyor), with some foam due to turbulence. The historic mill buildings exist with evidence of past operations. Access here is from High Street at Rte. 27 with room for parking between the River and the Railroad.
Segment 2, from the Railroad crossing, is also fast moving, slowing down gradually as it approaches the remants of the built up embankment of an historic bridge creating pools and eddies. The water color is tannic with some foam, and no odor. This section is scenic and peaceful and although there is potential for trails on the south side, access presently requires railroad crossing. Litter is minimal at this segment with some railroad ties, etc. dumped from the tracks. The School Street Garage has dumped various auto parts on their property at the top of the steep embankment.
Segment 3 extends from the historic bridge embankment to the historic mill dam. The water flow is slow and the brook widens during the wet seasons due to the dam. The water is stagnant with an oily film and with a great deal of foam build-up and litter at the dam.
The vegetation is consistently dense along the three segments from the top of the bank to the waters edge with an overstory primarily composed of red oak and maples overhanging the river, providing shade with a dense understory. The exception is the downstream segment 3 with less overstory on the River Street side. Wildlife along segments 2 and 3 consist of birds, ducks, and heron, not viewed at survey time, but at other times.
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