Biological survey analysis

On July 3rd, Dr. Ken Wagner of the Water Resources Services surveyed Fresh Pond and found that while the water was “slightly brownish and murky” there was “no evidence of planktonic cyanobacteria”. In English, there is no evidence widespread harmful algal blooms that would impede recreation. Dr. Wagner reports that “overall, the pond looked healthy at the time of the survey”. Dr. Wagner found plentiful evidence of fresh water coral — which is not at all problem — schools of fish and herons, egrets and comorants.

On July 7th work resumes to remove remaining areas of lily pad growth and as much as possible algal mats along the south shore of the pond (to the left of the Fresh Pond access road and by Turkem’s Rest preserve. Concerns remain for later in the season, as blooms may occur in late summer. We hope to be able to do a second cleanup/harvest in early August to preserve healthy conditions for everyone!

You can read Dr. Wagner’s report on our data page here.