The Gulf River hosts a variety of wildlife and biodiversity, and it is up to the towns, neighbors, and users of the river to ensure its safety and protection. Learn more about the river, its history, bylaws and guidelines for property owners and abutters, and steps you can take to protect it.
Protecting the Gulf River
See the following resources to learn more about estuaries, the Gulf River, and how to protect it
Article: National Ocean Service
Do Your Part: Help Protect Our Estuaries (noaa.gov)
Article: US Enviornmental Protection Agency
Basic Information about Estuaries | US EPA
Article: How to Maintain your Septic System
Brochure: Protect the River through “Greenscaping” your yard
Water Smart Greenscaping Complete Guide | NSWRA
Pamphlet: 10 Ways to Protect Estuaries
10 Ways to Protect Estuaries | NEERS
Gulf River Estuary: Natural Resources Inventory (2003 Report)
The History of the Gulf River
Did you know that (1) in 1640, the Gulf River was set as the official boundary between the Massachusetts Bay and New Plymouth Colonies to avoid conflicts over the plentiful salt grass; (2) in 1691, the Great-Great-Great Grandfather of President Abe Lincoln, Mordecai Lincoln, built the first dam for the then-thriving mill business; and (3) in 1792 a mill dam was built at the mouth of the Gulf River (where the Border Street bridge is now), which kept saltwater out of the river and allowed for the harvesting of ice?
Enjoy this 2002 Presentation by John F. Hartshorne to the Gulf Association
Learn more about the Border Street Bridge
About the Border Street Bridge (nsrwa.org): InformationInformation for Property Owners and Recreational Users of the Gulf River
Vital information for abutters to the Gulf:
1. State wetland protection laws and conservation by-laws in both Scituate and Cohasset prohibited any disturbance within 100 feet of the Gulf, such as tree removal or trimming, landscaping, or any change in the topography of the land and river.
2. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are prohibited with the 100 feet buffer zone. Organic, low-nitrogen fertilizers are allowed but “greenscaping” with fertilizer alternatives is encouraged (see https://www.nsrwa.org/get-watersmart/greenscapes/)
3. The speed limit for boats on the Gulf is 5 mph and the entire river is a non-wake zone. This is to ensure the few remaining marsh grass areas and tidelands are not destroyed by excessive wake action.
4. Please use these tips to maintain your septic systems to protect public health and preserve the Gulf River: Septic Systems (nsrwa.org)
Learn more about the rules and restrictions for property owners and activities that help protect the Gulf River:
Water Quality Monitoring
Gulf River Water Quality is monitored weekly by the Center for Student Costal Research (CSCR) during the summer season. Bacteria counts at Gulf River and Cohasset Harbor test sites are reported weekly:
https://ccscr.org/bacteria-monitoring-for-board-of-health/
Click on the links below to view information about the CSCR testing program for different testing locations in the Gulf River.
Watershed and Water Quality – Center for Student Coastal Research (ccscr.org)
CSCR Summary of Gulf River Sampling Data 2023 (google.com)
2023 Gulf River Watershed Data Map (arcgis.com)
Cohasset and Scituate Beaches — Water Quality and Safety:
Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard | Mass.gov
May 2026 Presentation to the Cohasset Harbor Committee
- Pollution in the Gulf River directly affects the Cohasset Harbor and Bassings Beach
- We can work together to better protect our rivers, harbor, and beaches
Summary of CSCR Harbor Foam Research:
2023 CSCR Gulf River Water Quality Report:
Here are five conclusions from the CSCR Report that highlight significant water quality concerns and point to the need for coordinated action by the towns of Scituate and Cohasset, abutters, and everyone who wants to enjoy and preserve the Gulf River:
- “Water quality concerns are greater at the upper reaches of the Gulf River. Sampling from May to August (2023) reveals the greatest problem for the river system is suggested by data collected at Hunter’s Pond [North Scituate], specifically for elevated levels of optical brighteners and bacteria.”
- “The data point to an overall trend of decreasing water quality, moving upriver from the mouth at the Border Street Bridge in Cohasset to the river’s bifurcation in North Scituate.”
- “There are significant bacteria concerns at [the Hunters Pond (North Scituate) site, exceeding dangerous levels] 5 out of 14 times”
- “Optical brighteners, … dyes found in laundry detergent … suggest wastewater entering a waterbody. … Hunter’s Pond, North Scituate, consistently registers the highest values.”
- “The general trend … reveals that dissolved oxygen [is also approaching] dangerous … levels.”
What we can do to improve the water quality in the Gulf River:
- Support efforts to extend town sewer to North Scituate and South Main Street in Cohasset
- Maintain and routinely pump your septic system (https://www.nsrwa.org/get-watersmart/septic-systems/)
- “Greenscape” your yard (https://www.nsrwa.org/get-watersmart/greenscapes/)