Are You a Friend of Bass River?

I’m happiest when I’m in, on or near saltwater, and consider Bass River a neighborhood asset to Wrinkle Point and all the communities in Dennis & Yarmouth. My family enjoys Bass River for boating, swimming, and exploring, and the river provides gorgeous & relaxing views that are enjoyed by everyone in Wrinkle Point. But the health of Bass River is in decline, and it needs our help.

Unfortunately, pollution is already a part of life on Bass River. Some pollutants we can see (cans, garbage, plastic, etc.) and some we cannot. You are probably aware that marine debris left on the beach and waterways is not only unsightly, but it is also harmful to marine life, birds, and the water itself.

But what happens when we have too much nitrogen? Excessive nitrogen fuels the growth of algae, which makes the water cloudy and lines boats and beaches with slimy green algae. If the water is cloudy, eelgrass can’t grow at the bottom. Without eelgrass, fish and shellfish have a hard time surviving, and in fact some shellfish are disappearing on the river.

Friends of Bass River is dedicated to the guardianship of the ponds, coves & sub-basins of the Bass River Estuarine System. Its mission, through monitoring, vigilance & direct management, is to help preserve and protect Bass River’s delicate ecosystem. Bass River is under an increased danger from elevated nitrogen levels that, if allowed to continue unabated, will further damage and may even permanently alter coastal life as we now know it.

The good news is that the dire predictions are not a foregone conclusion.  With careful management and by adopting some best practices when on the beaches and water, the current increase in nitrogen trends can be reversed and our waterway can be cleaned and protected for future generations. Please view the 3-minute video below for more information on why Bass River needs our help and consider joining or volunteering to help the Friends of Bass River.

Septic systems are the biggest source of nitrogen pollution in Bass River, and over 82% of the River’s controllable nitrogen pollution comes from Title V septic systems. Friends of Bass River is a community resource that helps us preserve Bass River, and it shares Best Practices that each of us can adopt to improve the health of our river. This non-profit organization also conducts community education programs and works with political leaders to help us protect Bass River.

I’m a member of the Friends of Bass River, and I encourage everyone in the Wrinkle Point community to watch the above video, visit the Friends of Bass River website & consider volunteering in this organization’s programs & becoming a member. Friends of Bass River is now planning a community event to provide more information, and I’ll update you on this event as it becomes finalized.