To be considered eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers program, a river system and adjacent lands must support one of more outstandingly remarkable natural, cultural, or recreational resource value. Known as ORVs, these values must be directly related to, or dependent upon, the river.
The Taunton River’s outstanding resource values include:
Agriculture
The fertile soils of the Taunton River’s post-glacial landscape helped to make this watershed one of the earliest and largest settlement areas for the early Native People. The corridor’s deep, mineral rich soils sustained large populations for thousands of years, and they remain fertile and productive today. Since colonial settlement, agriculture has been part of what defines the character of communities in the corridor. Settlers learned from the Native People the time-honored technique of using river herring as fertilizer and the important triad of corn, beans and squash. Today there is still a significant amount of acreage in agricultural use within the Taunton River corridor. These properties provide not only a source of food, nursery, and other agricultural products to the region, but also help to maintain the scenic character of the river corridor, both from the roadways and the river. In addition, several of these agricultural parcels include significant stretches of riverfront, including wetlands, floodplain forest, riffle areas in the river and important agricultural soils.
Ecology and Biodiversity
The Taunton River is one of the most intact river ecosystems in New England and supports multiple attributes ranked as global conservation targets. The corridor supports 31 distinct wildlife habitats, three globally rare plant species, regionally significant freshwater and brackish tidal marshes, and many rare species of birds and amphibians. Seals are often found in the upper reaches of the Taunton and its tributaries – a phenomenon unique to the Taunton among Massachusetts Rivers. The Taunton River estuary, mainstem and major tributaries have been found by the Nature Conservancy to be one of the most unique, diverse, and intact ecological systems in the North Atlantic Ecoregion, from Delaware to Maine. Fish, plant and animal resources, including rare and endangered species, as well as quantity and quality of habitat in general have been found exceptional. The undammed mainstem of the Taunton is the centerpiece of this system.
Estuary
The Taunton River estuary is regionally important for its recreational, scenic and ecological values. It is a remarkably healthy and intact coastal ecosystem, with tidal influence extending through Dighton and into Taunton, 18 miles from Mount Hope Bay. The extensive estuary resources of the Taunton River system make it significant as nursery habitat for juvenile fish and shellfish, and as habitat for anadromous fish (fish that spend their adult life in the ocean and migrate into rivers to spawn). The Taunton River is part of the larger Narragansett Bay watershed and it contributes a significant portion of the Bay’s fresh water. Narragansett Bay is a nationally significant resource, designated under EPA’s National Estuary Program as well as the National Estuarine Research Reserve Program
Fisheries
The Taunton River is the longest undammed coastal river in New England and provides excellent habitat for all life stages of fish. The estuary is particularly valued for its nursery habitat for fish such as winter flounder and tautog, as well as for its large anadromous fish runs, particularly river herring. Currently, dams limit or eliminate access to spawning habitats on some tributaries, but there is huge potential for restoration of species such as herring, shad and rainbow smelt through selective dam removal. Coldwater fishery habitats are also present on some Taunton River tributaries, providing rare habitat niches in this low gradient watershed. Other important fisheries habitats include riffles, oxbows, fresh and salt water marshes and native aquatic vegetation beds. The Taunton River supports about 45 species of fish and many species of shellfish.
History and Archaeology
The Taunton River corridor is one of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ most studied and recognized archaeological resource areas for Native American archaeology. The River itself offered outstanding fish, shellfish and transportation opportunities, while floodplains were ideally suited to agricultural use and tributaries offered excellent opportunities for fish weirs and encampment sites. Many of these same characteristics attracted early colonial settlers who found that the river offered excellent opportunities to ship goods produced along its banks and on tributaries. Shipbuilding was one well known early industry, with remnants of that industry visible in many locations today, such as the Titicut site in Bridgewater. Tributaries supported typical colonial New England mill development, utilizing the Taunton for transportation. Later, Fall River took advantage of its location to surpass Lowell as the nation’s largest textile producing center. The river also flourished as a Victorian era resort center focused on the lower River. The rich and diverse history and archaeology of the Taunton River is still being uncovered and documented by active local historical societies and commissions, and a significant aspect of the The Taunton River Stewardship Plan includes recognition and celebration of important themes and sites
Recreation and Scenery
The Taunton River is an outstanding flatwater boating recreational resource, ideal for family-oriented day or overnight outings. The upper Taunton, from the confluence of the Town and Matfield Rivers to the Rte 24 area offers intimate canoeing and kayaking in a semi-wilderness setting that provides outstanding opportunities for birding, wildlife viewing, and exposure to diverse riparian and floodplain habitat types. Below Taunton, the River slowly transforms into a tidal estuarine habitat, again offering exceptional small boating opportunities to the Berkley-Dighton Bridge and beyond. The lowermost portion of the river (Freetown, Somerset and Fall River) opens up to expansive views and more diverse boating opportunities, including sailing and powerboating. This lowermost portion exhibits a more developed character than the other portions, but still supports excellent recreational opportunities and access. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Taunton Heritage River Map on page 62/63 of the Taunton River Stewardship Plan depicts some of the recreation features and access sites on the river (a statewide pilot effort to recognize and celebrate outstanding cultural and recreational river areas).