Stony Brook Mill Closed For The Winter

BREWSTER – With construction in full swing at Stony Brook Mill, the town has issued a temporary closure of the area, including the parking lot. 

 The town purchased the site in 1940, but its origins date back to the 1600s. It was one of the first open space land purchases the town made.

 The current large-scale project started in 2020 when the retaining wall began showing signs of failure and a study identified “less than optimal” fishway conditions for the migrating herring, according to the project page on the town’s website.

 The Cape Cod Conservation District completed the initial design work and funded the fish passage comprehensive review, which was done by a retired fish passage expert who previously worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. 

 About 10 years ago, the town replaced the dam and extensively renovated the fish weirs to help herring navigate the elevation without exerting energy as they migrate to Lower Mill Pond. 

 Now work is focused on rebuilding the retaining wall and adjusting a few of the weirs that are too steep. 

The retaining wall, which separates the mill’s elevated headrace pond from the main brook, was reportedly beginning to crack due to freeze-thaw conditions over time. Water was pushing through the stones, which needed to be filled and stabilized. 

Chris Miller, the town’s natural resources director and project manager, said the existing stones will be used to fill in the gaps and will be covered in concrete as much as possible in an effort to preserve the historic and popular location.

A liner will also be added to the upper pool to keep water from draining through the wall. 

The site will reopen in early April 2025, just in time for the herring run, a local indication of warmer weather on Cape Cod.

For more information, visit the project site brewster-ma.gov/stony-brook-mill-site-retaining-wall-and-fish-passage or contact the natural resources department at 508-896-4546.