Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee
The Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee is pleased to report on its activities over the past year. Of particular significance, our aggressive campaign to combat the invasion of non-native weeds appears to be having great success!
Our newly constructed automated pumping system worked perfectly, as our first pump-assisted deep drawdown was completed successfully this year. We drew the Pond down by 5 feet allowing critical areas of invasive species growth to be exposed to drying and freezing. We were fortunate, after an unseasonably wet and warm January in 2007, to have a 4-week cold spell that gave us ideal freezing conditions. To test the effects, we conducted environmental surveys in the Spring, including plant surveys in the downstream wetlands, amphibian and reptile counts, fish monitoring with the help of local fishing clubs, and shoreline reviews. We engaged professional biologists to conduct in-lake plant surveys at survey points established and measured 3 and 6 years ago to compare the in-lake plant population. We also conducted observations of plant growth during the summer. Our environmental surveys indicated a thriving downstream wetland, similar numbers of turtles and amphibians, and a thriving fish population, suggesting that we have not had a negative impact on the ecosystem. At the same time, we observed a significant reversal in the present of invasive aquatic species (milfoil and fanwort) and an increase in the number of native, bottom growing species. Observations of recreational users reported a reduction in the invasive species in the drawdown zone (up to 5 feet). We are repeating the 5-foot drawdown this year, and depending on its results may defer another drawdown in 2008-09 to avoid breeding drawdown resistant species (a recommended practice).
We also had a very successful weed pull and harvesting program this year to control the waterchestnut population. . Waterchestnuts are seed bearing annuals and are not controlled by drawdowns. Pulling and harvesting are necessary. This year, in addition to the weed pulls, which have been effective at keeping the plants limited to the Clapps Brook area, Rick Dickson operated the harvester when the plants were forming seeds. He successfully removed substantially all of the plants. With a few more years of extra effort, we should be able to limit our efforts again to hand harvesting. We are looking for new leadership of the weedpulls and well as new participants. Please bring your kids and help out this summer. Canoes are available at the beach, and it’s a fun way to spend a few hours on the Pond while really making a difference.
We still have much work to do. Bare Hill Pond is on the State’s list of endangered lakes and ponds not only for invasive weed issues, but also due to excessive phosphorous, which fertilizes the invasive species and can lead to eutrophication and the loss of the Pond as a resource. We have slowed the invasive species, now we need to control the pollutants. The State has encouraged us to apply for significant funding to control storm water runoff from Route 111/110, Pond Road and the fields around the Pond. We have prepared an initial survey of remedial measures, and plan to apply for a grant this Spring. We anticipate that the cost of this project will be covered by the grant funding, state highway funding, and CPC funding, with limited impact on the Town’s operating budget.
We want to thank all of you who have given of your time in support of the Pond. We have achieved much, and only with your help and hard work could all of this have been possible. If you would like to volunteer in Pond activities, please do so. Give us a call and let us know your interests.
Bruce Leicher, Chair
Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee