The Birch Road wells in Framingham represent one of the last large, untapped groundwater resources in eastern Massachusetts.  The Town of Framingham has been actively engaged in assessing, testing and permitting this extremely valuable resource for ten years.

During one phase of the permitting process, it became evident that one source of uncertainty regarding potential environmental effects of pumping the wells was its potential to influence the volume of water which flows in Cochituate Brook - the sole surface water discharge from Lake Cochituate, and a vital tributary to the lower Sudbury River. 

In order to address this uncertainty, Mr. Newton and the Town engaged the US Geological Survey to install and maintain a real-time stream gaging station at the spillway.  While the gage has been successfully operational since 2010, there occasionally were problems with waterborne debris affecting the gage readings. 

Recognizing the importance of maintaining the data integrity, Bristol designed and oversaw the fabrication of a stainless steel debris screen (affectionately referred to as a “trash rack”) to protect equipment from debris. 
Bristol worked closely with the Mass. Office of Dam Safety, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Framingham DPW and the Conservation Commission to permit and install this structure.