August 1
The summer conditions of last month in the passage continue, as they do annually- mostly dry and impassable, with a significant change. The culvert pipe on the eastern side, toward Walker's, is nearly entirely filled in with accumulated sand. The sand is a result of run-off from the dirt road running into the passage, clearly seen in the photographs. The exposed culvert pipe on the west side, towards Slough, is not blocked but digging into the bank, done by a warden, as I was told, may cause serious erosion.
There is enough time this month and next to dig out the passage in preparation for the out-migration of the fry. There are other sections of the stream which require the same digging due to sand accumulations around the sandbags and at the mouth by Slough.
It remains to be seen what the plan is for the fall as far as retaining the staggered sandbag weirs or removing them. If they are removed, clearly, the sand in the bags cannot be emptied into the channel. As digging and side-casting has been an issue for the Conservation Commission this year, as it directs wetland work in the passage, this issue will have to be addressed once again for the fall emigration of juveniles.
The herculean effort made with the staggered sand bag weirs in late spring could have been avoided if digging had been done, as it is part of the DMF's management agreement with the Town for required spring and fall maintenance of runs. We will see what happens going forward. The man power required for the experiment should in no part be used as an excuse to close the passage which was a successful migratory route for over a century with minimal manpower.
Of note: the cyanobacteria notice for Lower Mill and Upper Mill Ponds was lifted at the end of July. No restriction was posted for Walker's although the bacteria was noted there by APCC in June. There have been no notices or restrictions for Slough Pond which continues to be a very healthy pond.
The summer conditions of last month in the passage continue, as they do annually- mostly dry and impassable, with a significant change. The culvert pipe on the eastern side, toward Walker's, is nearly entirely filled in with accumulated sand. The sand is a result of run-off from the dirt road running into the passage, clearly seen in the photographs. The exposed culvert pipe on the west side, towards Slough, is not blocked but digging into the bank, done by a warden, as I was told, may cause serious erosion.
There is enough time this month and next to dig out the passage in preparation for the out-migration of the fry. There are other sections of the stream which require the same digging due to sand accumulations around the sandbags and at the mouth by Slough.
It remains to be seen what the plan is for the fall as far as retaining the staggered sandbag weirs or removing them. If they are removed, clearly, the sand in the bags cannot be emptied into the channel. As digging and side-casting has been an issue for the Conservation Commission this year, as it directs wetland work in the passage, this issue will have to be addressed once again for the fall emigration of juveniles.
The herculean effort made with the staggered sand bag weirs in late spring could have been avoided if digging had been done, as it is part of the DMF's management agreement with the Town for required spring and fall maintenance of runs. We will see what happens going forward. The man power required for the experiment should in no part be used as an excuse to close the passage which was a successful migratory route for over a century with minimal manpower.
Of note: the cyanobacteria notice for Lower Mill and Upper Mill Ponds was lifted at the end of July. No restriction was posted for Walker's although the bacteria was noted there by APCC in June. There have been no notices or restrictions for Slough Pond which continues to be a very healthy pond.
Meanwhile, the fry grow stronger and larger by the day as they provide sustenance in the pond for turtles, frogs, snakes, Mallards and Kingfishers and Herring Gulls, and also larger fish, as a preview of the sustenance they will provide and predation they will face in their future home at sea.
August 23
Fry sighting with migrating Geese and Massachusetts Biodiversity Initiative. (link)
We posted the state's announcement of the Biodiversity Initiative here two years ago and are gratified that there is now a plan. Protecting the biodiversity of the Slough Pond habitat and its herring migration has always been central to our advocacy. No habitat is too small for consideration as each is part of the greater whole in the web of life. Recalling the NOAA Fisheries statement, " River herring restoration is not a fisheries management issue, it is an ecosystem management issue."
Fry sighting with migrating Geese and Massachusetts Biodiversity Initiative. (link)
We posted the state's announcement of the Biodiversity Initiative here two years ago and are gratified that there is now a plan. Protecting the biodiversity of the Slough Pond habitat and its herring migration has always been central to our advocacy. No habitat is too small for consideration as each is part of the greater whole in the web of life. Recalling the NOAA Fisheries statement, " River herring restoration is not a fisheries management issue, it is an ecosystem management issue."