Conduits and Culverts

[BostonUrbEx]

I'm in the process of attempting to map out Boston's long lost waterways using ward maps from the late 1800s/early 1900s. I get the feeling that most people don't think of Boston as one of those places with large drains and rivers below our feet, but we have our fair share and I hope to map out the largest ones.

Anyways, this morning I've been working on Stony Brook. I'm calling it quits on this one for now, though. The gentrification, realignments of street and rail, etc make it nearly impossible to identify some areas of Boston for what they are today... I start forgetting what map is in each tab and trying to keep track of everything just becomes overwhelming. Anyways, here is what I have so far:

http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...14107067401485.00049e851f62d296c2b84&t=h&z=12

I'm confused as to why one plate shows two separate conduits and I have maps which show them further downstream with one disappearing somewhere between two. It's pretty confusing. I have no idea if there's a splitting point or something somewhere as I can't locate maps for that area.

 

[Lurker]

You should contact Boston Water & Sewer and the MWRA. I'm sure someone at both agencies would be happy to help you with the research project.

 

[JohnCostello]

I have a map of the Fenway from the 1930's that shows a Muddy River Conduit under Brookline Avenue running up from the Sears Building towards Kenmore.

Also, the MWRA has a library at their operations center / garage off of Eastern Avenue in Chelsea. Most of the material is their service area centric, but there is a good amount of dusty old books there that might help. Call ahead. They have been cooperative when I have used it.

 

[Lurker]

I'd also suggest getting your hands on Nancy Seasholls' book Gaining Ground

 

[aristides]

My understanding is that the old culvert is the one on the right of your map that cuts across ruggles and tremont. The new(er) one is to the left.

Chapter III: "Movements for Reform -- Commission of 1875" Plates V at
http://www.sewerhistory.org/articles/whregion/us_mass.htm shows Stony Brook at the bottom right of the page cutting across ruggles and tremont just like your map except it reaches the spot where parker street used to be back then... this is misleading for us today for obvious reasons (i.e., it doesn't exist there anymore).

I'm sure you've come across these but I'll post them anyway:
http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/hotc/DisplayPlace.asp?id=11378
http://stonybrookinboston.blogspot.com/

 

[BostonUrbEx]

Thanks for the info/tips, guys.

Anyways, here's what I did the day before I worked on the Stony Brook map: http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...14107067401485.00049e78434ed543870b5&t=h&z=13

It's the Malden River watershed (however, it only includes continual sources which are north of the Medford St bridge. I believe it is essentially 100% with the exception of downtown Malden, which is a bit of a pain in the ass.