Friends of Morses Pond

Morses Pond Management Plan Meeting Notes

Town Hall

June 6, 2005

8:00pm

Overview

Intro by Peter of the Morses pond Ad Hoc Committee, then Dr Wagner gave an overview of the Management Options for the Friends of Morses Pond. The primary topic centered on herbicides along with discussions about other options.

Subjects of Management Goals

• Water supply (town wells)
• Contact recreation (swimming)
• Flood control (holding water)
• Fishing (catching fish)
• Environment/wildlife protection (habitat)
• Non-motorized boating (paddling, rowing, sailing)
• Non-contact recreation (passive use)

Two focus of management actions (different goals)

• Reduced algae and increased water clarity
• Reduced rooted plant biomass, especially invasive

Watershed

We have a watershed of 5000 acres vs 100 acres for the pond. To improve water quality, we have to improve the quality of water in the watershed.

Primary options

Options being consider for algae and water clarity control

• Watershed management – especially storm water
• Fertilizers (phosphorous) end up in pond and hurt quality, likewise for other elements entering the storm draining systems.
• Engineer solutions to teat water entering pond.
• Dredging of northern basin to restore detention capacity and pollutant removal
• Wetland creation – in northern basin, possibly coordinated with dredging, for enhanced removal.
• Phosphorous inactivation – alum treatment in northern basin/Bogle brook inlet.
• Circulation to disrupt certain algal growth cycles
• Copper and/or peroxide treatments to kill algae

Options being considered for rooted plant control

• Dredging – will reset but not eliminate growths
• Harvesting – with a change in equipment and approach, could be effective in Morses Pond
• Treatment with the herbicide fluridone – approved for use in drinking water
• Use ½ legally allowed limit in area #2 as a proposal.
• Benthic barriers – localized control for swimming and boat access
• Bottom barriers to prevent weed growth.
• Hand pulling – addresses pioneer invasions, like water chestnut
• Plant replacement – augments any of the above, actively promotes desired species.

Long term we need to make better plant community – one that is good for the pond.

All materials are preliminary – in a relative sense we have an idea of what things cost.

There were a number of questions about the various options. Ken answered details about herbicides (flouridone),

Phosphorous is harming the pond by fueling growth of the invasive species. Fertilizer contains 3 parts: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. Phosphorous have way too much of this and is not needed for established lawns. Alternatives are slightly more expensive.

Dredging – perhaps the best option, but most expensive.

Bottom barriers – owners can place this in front of their homes.

Notes by John Ciolfi.