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The alewife fishery of Nemasket River has always been 

 intimately connected with town affairs, having been a most 

 important factor in its early development. Neglect in keeping 

 fishways in proper shape, permitting pollution such as sewage 

 and manufacturing wastes to enter the stream, and the illogical 

 method of leasing the fishery for a one-year period, have all 

 been contributory factors in its decline. However, it might still 

 be made an extremely valuable asset to the town of Middle- 

 borough, if more attention were given to its regulation. 



Littleworth Brook. — Littleworth Brook, a small tributary, 

 forms Bear Hole and King's Furnace ponds. Records do not 

 show that alewives ever came up this stream in any numbers. 



Two Mile River. — Two Mile River, or Raynham Brook, 

 which rises in Gushee Pond, is obstructed by six dams. There 

 has never been a fishery here, and the presence of numerous 

 dams renders the establishment of any difficult. 



Mill River. — Mill River, formed by the union of Canoe 

 River and Mulberry Brook, passes through Winneconet Pond 

 and Sabatia Lake to empty into Taunton River. Since it is 

 badly polluted by manufacturing wastes and obstructed by 

 dams, the re-establishment of the old fishery is an impos- 

 sibility. 



Three Mile River. — Three Mile River, formed by the 

 union of Wading and Rumford rivers, enters the Taunton 

 River near North Dighton. It is used chiefly for power, is 

 obstructed by several dams, and is badly polluted with trade 

 wastes, which render the re-establishment of a fishery extremely 

 remote. 



Assonet River. — Assonet River, which forms a broad, deep 

 arm of the lower Taunton, is obstructed by six dams. Al- 

 though not operated, the fishery is normally controlled by 

 the Assonet Fishing Company, established in 1860. Permits 

 are given by Freetown to catch the few stray alewives which 

 come up Assonet River each spring. 



By installing fishways, prohibiting pollution, and stocking 

 the headwaters, a fishery might be established with considerable 

 difficulty. 



Segreganset River. — This river, obstructed by four dams, has 

 never supported a fishery, and offers no opportunity for one. 



