October 26, 2014 Dudley Pond Sunrise November 6, 2011
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2014 DPA Fall Meeting
SWQC Dudley Pond –Health Report
Ongoing Success – 7 year, dual strategy Herbicide to gain control when needed Aggressive Hand Pulling to remove the roots - pre & post herbicide 2008 – 2009 – 2010 – 2011 – 2012 – 2013 – 2014 –
sonar whole lake treatment, hand pulling follow-up 6000 plants hand pull: 18,237 plants -- 7,026 were old growth, survived sonar hand pull: 6,145 plants, triclopyr spot treatment 18 acres hand pull: 10,485 plants, no herbicide hand pull: 38,191 plants, no herbicide hand pull: 44,699 plants, triclopyr spot treatment 12 acres hand pull: 2,744 plants, 1,838 gallons algae, 108 cu. ft. tapegrass 3
7-Year Activity & Cost Recap
DPA provides a 25% Cost share
7 year average: $25,753/year
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2014 – Springtime Algae April/May/June: Algae – Late ice out, long winter – Algae covers growing milfoil, – 1838 gallons floating mats removed!
• A new problem
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2014 Milfoil – What happened? 2014: 2,744 plants vs 2013: 44,699 plants • • • •
The triclopyr in 2013 was much later in the season, and acted longer We had a long winter and a late ice out – and cloudy days Algae covered up the plants and blocked sunlight Similar reports from other ponds per the DCR Will it be back? probably. Something will eat the Nitrogen and Phosphorus 6
Growing Problem: Tape Grass / Eel Grass / Water Celery
Valisneria Americanus • First identified in 2010 by Jack Peter’s dock, also in North Pond • Native species, forms floating mats at end of season – collected, removed • Shallow root system, good candidate for hand pulling, raking
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Dudley Pond is a nourishing broth of plant food. When we remove the milfoil, We are weeding the garden for whatever else finds its way here. We should not be surprised. 8
2014 Tapegrass Management • Its not an ‘invasive’ • Its not in our Order of Conditions • We need the OK to ‘manage’ it
• We removed floating mats. (108 cu. ft.) • New DCR rules make it easier to manage as a ‘nuisance’ species July 2014 Tapegrass Survey 9
Managing Tape Grass First Noticed: ~9 yrs ago in the Peter's Cove area -Past 3 Yrs: Showing up in north side of Dudley Pond. Now many dense, small patches have been established.
Current situation: • • • •
Thickest growth along the Chat to Peter's cove shoreline Chat cove has at least 4 20x20+ ft patches in the middle of the cove Mansion beach has a ~40x30 ft patch just off the beach Patches all around the pond
-The Challenge : it grows tall and thick, hides milfoil, tangles divers hunting for invasives and boat props and paddles.
-The Question: May/can we manage this plant's growth to prevent overpopulation? . 10
2014 E-coli Measurements Very Heavy Rain before sample washed the beach
Thanks to Lisa Newton for taking weekly samples all summer. 11
Our Defensive Line - penetrated Ducks, Geese, and Swans are attracted by residents feeding them. They poop on the beach.
The results.
And swimmers get this: 12
2014 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program Measured: • Date/time/weather • Water temperature • Water clarity (Secchi) • ph • DO% & Saturation
Samples Analyzed: • Total Phosphorus (P) • Orthophosphate (P) • Ammonia (N) • Total Nitrogen (N) • Chlorophyll a
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• Points correspond with historic sampling points • Sampling: April, August, November
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2014 –Water Chemistry – Phosphorus in Aug. Carlson Trophic Index – measure of Eutrophication
Reports available: http://issuu.com/wswqc/docs/april_2__2014_dp_wq_report http://issuu.com/wswqc/docs/draft_aug_3__2014_dp_wq_report
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Getting at "ROOT” Causes: Phosphorus & Nitrogen feed the weeds • lawn fertilizer runoff • septic systems leaching through porous soils • decaying leaves & existing muck • recirculation of bottom sediments
SWQC seeks improvements: Septic Maintenance Practices Alternative, Shared Systems that remove N and P Lawn Chemical Practices Road Runoff Handling 15
Stormwater Outfalls:
Drains to Dudley
• Storm drains collect untreated road crud & lawn chemicals and send them directly into the pond. • At many points around the pond, surface runoff flows overland into the pond – failed basins, no controls Better stormwater control = healthier pond, less nutrients, less herbicide less weedcontrol cost. Wayland must attend to MS4 requirements near lakes. 16
2014 Politics , Funding & Permitting: Year ahead: • SWQC town budget in good shape. • Recreation & Conservation taking over Dudley Woods and Rocky Point. • BoH investigating septic failures • All Wayland is aware of nutrient problems on DP. Mass permit extension act is over – We must get a new order of conditions! • DPA cost-sharing helps the town accept SWQC budgets for Dudley Pond • DPW cleaned & mapped & inspected Simpson Road stormwater drainage. SWQC will propose mandatory pumping and status reports of septic systems 300’ from water at next town meeting.
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2014 Politics – Scrutiny & the ‘NO’ signs • Dudley Pond is the hot topic in Conservation, Health, DAAC, and ZBA hearings. • Much building happening.
DPA welcomes. This sign doesn’t. SWQC wants do something more welcoming.
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The LaClaire Collection - 2014
Thanks to Allison for her tireless efforts collecting and curating the Dudley Depths artifact collection.
Ask about our variety of underwater calling plans.
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