FAQ

Do you have a question that you'd like answered? If so, send an e-mail to fompofficers@morsespond.org and we'll try to answer it.

How do you spell Morses Pond: Morses or Morse's?

By custom, Morses Pond is spelled without an apostrophe.

Historically, an 1831 survey map shows a small pond and milldam in the ownership of Daniel Morse. Thus, using Morse's may seem appropriate since Morse is a family name. However, Maps and the Town prefer the spelling be Morses. For example, if you use Google Local (maps) on "Morses Pond, Wellesley MA", it will work and if you Google Local on "Morse's Pond, Wellesley MA", it will not work. Furthermore, all references to the Pond in the Town web site, the NRC Morses Pond description and studies use Morses.

Why do we find dead fish in the spring?

Each year in the spring people notice dead fish along the shores. There are several potential reasons for this.

• Temperature changes. In the spring the fish head to shallower areas to spawn and therefore are more vulnerable in general and particularly to the elements such as heat/temperature swings.
• Lack of oxygen with the algae, weeds, and pollen reducing the oxygen content in the water. http://www.atlanticfountains.com/lakeintr.htm speaks to thermal inversions in bodies of water creating oxygen deficits for the fish.
• Fishermen who perform catch and release may accidently harm the fish, though this is very unlikely.
• Overcrowding.