Where are Nashua’s wetlands?
To understand if a wetland or a wetland buffer exist on your property, visit the city of Nashua’s interactive GIS mapper, where you can search an address and turn on the Wetlands map layer. The wetlands map will indicate whether the wetland is a prime or critical wetland. The measure tool can be used to measure from the edge of a wetland area to see how far the buffer extends into your property. The city’s minimum buffer requirements vary between 20 to 75 feet depending on the type of wetland.
In the Nashua code, wetlands are classified as prime, critical, other and vernal pool. A detailed list is provided in the Nashua Land Use Code, Article XI. To determine an official wetland boundary, all wetlands shall be delineated in the field by a NH certified wetland scientist (CWS), per local and state regulations. All buffers extend into the wetlands themselves and include standing bodies of water, including seasonal vernal pools.
Some of Nashua’s highest priority wetlands
Prime Wetlands (75′ Buffers)
Merrimack River
Nashua River
Salmon Brook
Pennichuck Brook, Bower’s Pond, Harris Pond, Holts Pond, Pennichuck Pond, Supply Pond
Lovewell’s Pond
Horse Pond
Old Ridge Road Wetlands
Nashua Canal
Nashua Cove
Critical Wetlands (40′ Buffers)
Boire Brook
Coburn Pond
Cold Brook
Colerain Brook
Hales Brook
Harris Brook
Round Pond
Spit Brook
Sandy Pond
Halls Brook
Lincoln Brook
Lyle Reed Brook
Mill Pond
Muddy Brook
Old Maids Brook
Spectacle Brook
Trout Brook
Planning work on your property?
If you have a wetland or wetland buffer on your property (refer to the city’s GIS mapper), contact the city or the Conservation Commission before doing certain land-altering, tree clearing or construction activities on your property. Review Visit the city website for a copy of the wetland application and wetland application review process. You can also review the land use code Article XI for more details.
The value of wetlands
Nashua’s wetlands provide irreplaceable economic and recreational value to residents, businesses and visitors who enjoy these areas for their natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
In addition to their economic value, wetlands serve important functions such as absorbing flood waters and providing water storage, treating stormwater and protecting water quality, and recharging groundwater supplies. With the expected increase in frequency and severity of storm events associated with climate change, the ability of wetlands to perform these functions has become even more critical. In addition to these functions that support us, wetlands also support biodiversity and provide food and habitat for a variety of aquatic and upland plants and wildlife.
Landscape changes pose a significant threat to the protection of wetlands. It is important to take steps to protect and preserve all types of fresh waters and wetlands as development activities are taking place in our community.
What is a vernal pool?
Vernal pools are a valuable and increasingly threatened ecosystem. A vernal pool is a shallow, temporary wetland that is most active in the Spring when it fills with snowmelt and rainwater, often in a depression in a forested area. These “pools” typically dry up completely by mid-summer. This creates a unique habitat for species of amphibians and invertebrates that rely on this seasonal cycle for breeding such as spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and fairy shrimp. The lack of permanent water prevents fish from inhabiting the pool which limits predation.
Vernal pools in Nashua are protected by a mandatory 100' buffer, however, it is helpful to limit any disturbance within at least 200 feet or more around these delicate and valuable habitat areas.
Spotted salamander egg mass
Spotted Salamander