94 



SCUSSET RrVER. 



In 1854 an alewife fishery was established in Scusset River, 

 Sandwich, a small stream entering Cape Cod Bay, but ap- 

 parently did not exist for long. The Cape Cod Canal now 

 passes along the course of this stream. 



Mill River. 



Mill River flows a distance of 1| miles from the Shawme 

 Ponds to Cape Cod Bay, passing through the village of Sand- 

 wich. At the upper pond is an 8-foot dam, and an impassable 

 fishway about 30 feet in length. At the lower pond is situated 

 a dam equipped with a dilapidated fishway, which was installed 

 about 1904. 



In 1904 this fishery was leased by legislative act to Nye and 

 Rowland for ten years. For several years the Gloucester Fish 

 Company had charge of the stream, and later it was sold to Mr. 

 A. K. Crocker, who has taken but little care of the fishery. The 

 best catch ever taken was 35 barrels. Of late, only a few ale- 

 wives have run up the stream. In 1919 a legislative act re- 

 stored this fishery to the public. 



To re-establish this fishery alewives must have free access 

 to the upper pond, the only suitable spawning ground, since 

 the natural conditions of the lower pond are less favorable^ 

 and it contains numerous pickerel. To accomplish this purpose, 

 fishways must be installed at the two dams. If controlled 

 by the town, a five-year lease is recommended, provided that 

 proper regulations are made for the maintenance of fishways, 

 and that a goodly number of fish are permitted to reach the 

 ponds for spawning. By stocking the Upper Shawme Pond 

 with spawning alewivps, and maintaining a closed season for 

 a period of five years after the installation of these fishways, 

 the re-establishment of the fishery will be hastened. 



Stony Brook. 

 Mill Creek or Stony Brook, Brewster, floAvs from three mill 

 ponds into Cape Cod Bay. Although formerly utilized for 

 power, its principal use at present is the flooding of cranberry 



