TideGateway

Quincy-01A

Quincy, Black's Creek

42.266459, -70.997106

Technical Specifications

Basic Properties

Type
Self Regulating Tide Gate
Material
Metal
Control
Electric Actuator
Condition
Good
Geometry
Rectangular
Status
Active
Number of Gates
1

Operator & Management

Operator Type
PUBLIC
Operator
Town of Quincy
Permits
OOC, ACOE
Purpose
Flood Protection

Dimensions & Elevations

Dimensions
10ft diameter, 10ft height
Invert Elevation
-3.85 NAVD88
Tidal Influence
Upstream: 2.07 NAVD88, Downstream: 3.28 NAVD88

Culvert Details

Restriction Type
Roadway
Geometry
Rectangular
Material
Concrete
Bottom Material
Riprap
Number of Pipes
0
Dimensions
10ft diameter, 10ft height
Condition
Good
Comments
Bottom of culvert appeared to be lined with riprap.

2024 Field Survey Results

Comprehensive field assessment conducted in 2024

Physical Conditions Assessment

Channel Conditions

Channel Alteration
Limited (<133 ft/acre)
Channel Constriction
Narrower than channel
Channel Erosion
Moderate (10-60% of bank)
Sediment Deposits
None

Blockages & Issues

Debris Blockages
None
Evidence of Overtopping
No

Transect Measurements

50 Yards

Open Water
166
Salt Marsh
120
Brackish
12
Freshwater
0
Ditch
0
Unvegetated
0

150 Yards

Open Water
184
Salt Marsh
124
Brackish
0
Freshwater
0
Ditch
0
Unvegetated
0

300 Yards

Open Water
214
Salt Marsh
102
Brackish
0
Freshwater
0
Ditch
6
Unvegetated
0

Ecological Assessment

Habitat Observations

Crab Burrow Intensity
Limited (<10% banks are densely
Ponding Depressions
Limited(<10% of marsh platform
Phragmites Present
Limited (<10%)
Ecological Impairment
Limited

Invasive Species

Upstream Invasive Species
Yes
Downstream Invasive Species
No
Invasive Species Notes
Limited to patches along the upland border.
Additional Comments (2024)
Upstream side appears to be managed as a salt pond with surrounding salt marsh. Tide gates appear to be regularly managed and allowing adequate tidal exchange. Culvert may slow draining of the marsh. Further widening of culvert may increase flushing rate which would increase low marsh community and reduce erosion but marsh is in good shape otherwise.

Historical Records

Legacy data from previous surveys and documentation

Environmental Data

Invasive Species
No
Restoration Status
Complete
Invasive Comments
Area upstream of the tide gate appeared to be a large, healthy marsh with adequate tidal flushing as a result of the relatively recently installed tide gates and culverts (i.e., circa 2010).
Upstream Area
Total: 10

Notes & Comments

General Comments
Tide gates are located under Quincy Shore Drive, a short walk south of Caddy Memorial Park. Additional data needed: O&M, Engineering Plans, and Permits from when Tide Gates were installed.
Operation Plan
No
Operation Comments
O&M plan is likely present. Appears to be designed to deploy based on float switch when water level reaches float at approx. 12'.
Gate Comments
Set of 3 identical metal tide gates with hinge installed underneath road. Tide gate diameter and height is approximate and should be confirmed with Engineering Plans. There are locations along the concrete headwall to insert metal stop logs for additional water level control.
Elevation Comments
Staining was apparent on the upstream (U/S) and downstream (D/S) ends of the headwall (HW) so approximate extent of U/S and D/S tidal influence was able to be assessed in addition to tide gate (TG) invert elevations. The below lists measuredowns taken with a surveyors rod and corresponding top of headwall LiDAR elevations (NAVD88 datum). 1) TG Inv (in this case measured to invert of U/S culvert): Top of HW El (U/S) = 11.32’; Inv Measuredown = 15.17’; TG Inv = 11.32 – 15.17 = -3.85’ 2) Upstream Tidal Influence: Top of headwall LiDAR Elevation = 11.32’; Staining Measuredown = 9.25’; U/S Tidal influence = 11.32 – 9.25 = 2.07’. 3) Downstream Tidal Influence: Top of headwall LiDAR elevation = 11.38’; Staining Measuredown = 8.1’; D/S Tidal Influence = 11.38’ – 8.10’ = 3.28’
External Data Comments
MA DEP Order of Conditions 8.7.2013 MA General Permit Application 4.29.2013 US ACOE NAE-2012-2284 Permit Application 3.28.2013 Tide Gate Operation and Maintenance Plan 12.19.2013 NOAA Comments on Permit NAE-2012-2284 6.30.2014 (Other) US ACOE Fenno St. Comments on Permit NAE-2012-2284 (Other) EPA Letter on Permit NAE-2012-2284 3.25.2014 (Other) MA CZM Comments on Permit NAE-2012-2284 4.1.2014 (Other) Black Creek Tide Gate Acceptance of Transfer 1.18.2002 (Other)
© 2025 Massachusetts Bays Program. Monitoring tidegates across Massachusetts.