Flood of concerns about Newton's Cheesecake Brook

By Richard B. Primack
 

“A storm is a new, and in some respects more active, life in nature.”

- Henry David Thoreau in his Journal.

 
After a heavy June thunderstorm, Cheesecake Brook on the northern edge of Newton flooded and nearly poured over its banks into the surrounding streets and neighborhoods. With a changing climate, such intense storm events will only get more frequent and flooding danger will get worse. 

Cheesecake Brook flooded during the June 28, 2020 thunderstorm.  
Photos courtesy of CRWA.

 
 
More than a century ago the brook was confined within a narrow stone-lined channel. This straight channel carries sand and other suspended debris directly into the Charles River, along with dissolved phosphorus and nitrogen from lawns and roads, harming water quality.
 

People sampling for aquatic invertebrates in Cheesecake Brook.

 
To address these problems, the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is developing a plan for restoring the sloping banks and natural winding pattern of the brook to increase water retention capacity, reduce flooding, and allow nutrient absorption. The plan includes bioretention basins to trap sand and other debris from streets and outfalls. Large rocks placed in the brook will reduce water velocity and erosion and provide habitat for migratory fish and insect larvae.
 
This is just the first step in a long process of planning, design and fundraising before the project begins and the brook is restored.
 
This is a shorter version of an article that appeared in the Newton Tab.