Friends of Bass River
Educate Collaborate Preserve
Welcome to Bass River
Formed about 12,000 years ago by a rapidly melting glacier, the Bass River Estuarine System cuts the arm of Cape Cod almost completely in half. The river flows from freshwater streams in Yarmouth Port nine miles south to Nantucket Sound, making it the longest river on Cape Cod. The river not only divides the Cape but it also serves as the border between two towns - Yarmouth and Dennis. Since the 1800’s a series of bridges have connected the communities on either side.
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Friends of Bass River was created to serve as an additional bridge - connecting the community and focusing on the health of Bass River. Our mission, through active monitoring, collaboration with local, state & federal entities, and direct restoration management, is to help preserve and protect Bass River’s delicate ecosystem. Like many waterways on Cape Cod, the Bass River is facing elevated nitrogen levels that, if allowed to continue unabated, will further damage and may even permanently alter coastal life as we now know it.
Ways We Help
The Focus of Our Efforts
Educate
The Key to Preservation is Education
Friends of Bass River works to educate all ages about topics pertinent to the health of the river - From early education programs in the DY School system to our seasonal water testing program with the Stonehill College Ecology Department. We work to educate our supporters via down-to-earth articles about estuary-related science in our newsletters & via social media.
Collaborate
Building a Bridge
Through our partnerships with the Towns of Yarmouth and Dennis, the Yarmouth Water Resources Advisory Committee, and the former DHY partnership we are moving the needle on a comprehensive wastewater plan that is critical to the health of the river.
Restore
Transforming the River
The Upper Bass River Restoration project will transform over 57 acres of abandoned cranberry bogs back to wetlands. Culvert replacement and restoration engineering will create an improved habitat and access for anadromous species, improve coastal resiliency, and create a significant carbon sink to control nitrogen loading in this heavily populated area.
Meet the River Monday's are Back!
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