Bennett Brook is a tributary of the North River, and it has a watershed area of 44 km². Much like the North River, Bennett Brook is mainly influenced by agriculture. The aquatic and physical habitats would be considered satisfactory in most areas. In certain areas, cattle are allowed direct access to the brook. In these locations, streamside vegetation was usually very minimal. This said, the brook's substrate is mostly made up of small cobble, sand and some silt.

In the uppermost portion of Bennett Brook watershed there is an auto wrecker site identified on Conridge Road. It is still not known if this auto wrecker drains all the cars fluid. This site could be a potential source of pollution for ground and surface waters in the area.

In addition to cattle farms accompanied by corn and hay fields, and an auto wrecker site, the remainder of the watershed consists mainly of a few scattered residential units and forest.

One peculiar thing about Bennett Brook, is the high level of chlorides found in the brook. This is due to a nearby salt spring that is rich in chlorides and sodium. This spring is of natural occurrence due to the underlying geology (Water quality highlights for Bennett Brook; Table 12).

The challenges found on this brook are basically the same as those found on North River. With a minimum of work this brook could reach its full potential in relation to its physical and aquatic habitats.

Water quality highlights for Bennett Brook

Section	Principal Water Quality Influences	Water Test Highlights 1997-2001
Below old ford site (PWMG 6 = PWMG 51)	salt springs, agriculture, auto wrecker	Aluminium, Alkalinity, Cadmium, Calcium, Conductivity, Chloride, Chromium, E-Coli, Hardness, Sodium, Antimony, Sulphur, Total Coliforms, Total dissolved solids
Near Confluence (PWMG 45)	salt springs, agriculture, auto wrecker	Antimony, Cadmium, Chloride, Conductivity, Chromium, E-Coli, Sodium, Sulphur, Total dissolved solids

Recommended preliminary classification:

Class C : All of Bennett Brook above PWMG 6
Class B : Above PWMG 45 up to PWMG 6

Recommended actions:

>> work with local farm owners to implement an Agro-conservation club in the Petitcodiac area;
>> work with local farmers to add cattle fencing along streams and brooks that run through their properties;
>> installation of bank stabilization structures where bank erosion is evident;
>> work with local farmers and the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture to schedule manure spreading when monthly precipitations are the lowest (July, August);
>> do a follow up at auto wrecker site;
>> reduce and eventually phase out the use of cosmetic pesticides.