Eagle Scout Project, Shad Factory Pond

Justin Fiore, a 17-year-old Life Scout with Troop 13 Rehoboth, has completed his Shad Factory Pond Fish Ladder Migration Restoration Eagle Service Project. Under the guidance and support of Robert Materne from the Rehoboth Conservation Commission, Justin’s project was aimed to help the migration of the Shad Factory Pond fish population come this spring. The Shad Factory Pond dam lower area was brimming with the overgrowth of invasive aquatic vegetation, which hindered the migration of River Herring, American Eel, and Sea Lamprey, negatively impacting the fish population. The purpose of this Eagle Service Project was to enter the water and remove the overgrowth of aquatic vegetation and to create an additional waterway entry for fish to migrate up the fish ladder. Justin, along with fellow scouts and parents, were able to dredge large amounts of aquatic vegetation, remove layered sediment, and increase the flow of water from the Shad Factory Pond dam. The end result of this conservation project provides easy entry up the fish ladder, creating a greater chance to increase the fish population during migration, which will begin spring of 2025.

Justin would like to thank his fellow scouts and parents of Troop 13, Mr. Materne of the Rehoboth Conservation Commission, Rehoboth Highway Department, for removing the large quantity of dredged vegetation, and the Rehoboth Fire Department for securing a contact for the in-kind drone pictures of before and after the project.

Justin started his scouting career with Pack 1 Rehoboth and will soon ascend to the Rank of Eagle Scout. He is a senior at Attleboro High School and is looking forward to selecting a college to attend after graduation. Justin will be the second in his family to make the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 13 Rehoboth.