June 1
It is well to remember, as the spring migration season closes and we enter these summer months, that the quality of mercy is not strained...it is twice-blessed. It is our hope that the hard work of the Town staff to manage the Slough Pond passage, or "connector" as they refer to it, has offered them a chance to connect with the magic of the fish as they return home to their natal pond. This is a different experience than can be found at the fish ladder where most of their work is focused. And although we appreciate their labor and ingenuity, though lately come to, we are a bit wary of its consequences for their decision-making on the future of this migratory stream. Does it require too much effort as they have maintained in the past? Will they be open to the recommendations of the DMF to establish it as an official "fishway" with a permanent wooden weir and the protection of more stakeholders? An Alewife Committee meeting has been promised in June, though not yet scheduled, so we will learn more about their experience and their assessment at that time no doubt.
Sandbag report: the sandbags are closed again at the mouth of Slough. There is not enough water depth in the last section to support migration, even after a good rainfall on Friday, with obvious stormwater runoff into the culvert. There is no rain in the forecast for the next several days.
Even though there were no fish present today there is still company to be found along this wooded path. There are often tracks of deer in the soft earth after a rain, there are Osprey circling overhead, and hidden Catbirds practicing their repertoire in the leafy canopy.
It is well to remember, as the spring migration season closes and we enter these summer months, that the quality of mercy is not strained...it is twice-blessed. It is our hope that the hard work of the Town staff to manage the Slough Pond passage, or "connector" as they refer to it, has offered them a chance to connect with the magic of the fish as they return home to their natal pond. This is a different experience than can be found at the fish ladder where most of their work is focused. And although we appreciate their labor and ingenuity, though lately come to, we are a bit wary of its consequences for their decision-making on the future of this migratory stream. Does it require too much effort as they have maintained in the past? Will they be open to the recommendations of the DMF to establish it as an official "fishway" with a permanent wooden weir and the protection of more stakeholders? An Alewife Committee meeting has been promised in June, though not yet scheduled, so we will learn more about their experience and their assessment at that time no doubt.
Sandbag report: the sandbags are closed again at the mouth of Slough. There is not enough water depth in the last section to support migration, even after a good rainfall on Friday, with obvious stormwater runoff into the culvert. There is no rain in the forecast for the next several days.
Even though there were no fish present today there is still company to be found along this wooded path. There are often tracks of deer in the soft earth after a rain, there are Osprey circling overhead, and hidden Catbirds practicing their repertoire in the leafy canopy.
June 6
An important article in the latest Provincetown Independent. Volunteers Track Alewives' Return and Worry for the Fish's Future (link).
Especially interesting to this reader, and I quote, "both of the town's (Wellfleet's) runs were hand-dug...It's a tradition that predates European settlers on Cape Cod, according to (Barbara) Brennessel (Biologist & author of The Alewives' Tale). "People have known these fish need a path between fresh and salt water for as long as people have existed.""
An important article in the latest Provincetown Independent. Volunteers Track Alewives' Return and Worry for the Fish's Future (link).
Especially interesting to this reader, and I quote, "both of the town's (Wellfleet's) runs were hand-dug...It's a tradition that predates European settlers on Cape Cod, according to (Barbara) Brennessel (Biologist & author of The Alewives' Tale). "People have known these fish need a path between fresh and salt water for as long as people have existed.""
June 11
Observed 50-100 adult alewives passing by inn the pond just before dusk.
Observed 50-100 adult alewives passing by inn the pond just before dusk.
According to the NRD and AC crew today, who are monitoring the passage into Slough, although we received a good amount of rainfall yesterday the passage will remain closed. The plan is to "keep it closed until frye (sp. fry)" are seen returning down at the fish ladder. The plan is to continue to open and close the passage to conserve water "throughout the next few months."
Undoubtably they are unaware that the passage dries up every July and August. Also that most fry do not emigrate until August and September, and then well into December in some years from Slough. And although they have not seen them, there are still adults in the pond. We commend the efforts they are making this year and hope they will avail themselves of observations made by pond residents these many years which would support their efforts.
We should note, for our timetable, that the first adults entered Slough Pond this year on April 25th and the last on May 27th. It is good to remember these facts: after spawning eggs hatch after 6 days at water temperatures of 50-60° and juveniles must reach 2-4" before they emigrate from the nursery to the sea. Our early arrivals on April 25th may have spawned fry that have reached this length, strength, and health after 5 weeks but probably most have not, certainly not the later born fry from the May 27th migration, so I would not expect the majority of juveniles to depart soon. The adults are another story as they require a deeper level of water.
Undoubtably they are unaware that the passage dries up every July and August. Also that most fry do not emigrate until August and September, and then well into December in some years from Slough. And although they have not seen them, there are still adults in the pond. We commend the efforts they are making this year and hope they will avail themselves of observations made by pond residents these many years which would support their efforts.
We should note, for our timetable, that the first adults entered Slough Pond this year on April 25th and the last on May 27th. It is good to remember these facts: after spawning eggs hatch after 6 days at water temperatures of 50-60° and juveniles must reach 2-4" before they emigrate from the nursery to the sea. Our early arrivals on April 25th may have spawned fry that have reached this length, strength, and health after 5 weeks but probably most have not, certainly not the later born fry from the May 27th migration, so I would not expect the majority of juveniles to depart soon. The adults are another story as they require a deeper level of water.
June 12
The pond gauge reads 3" today and the passage has an adequate level of water for safe migration except in two spots closest to Slough, a little digging perhaps and another strategic sand bag would resolve this- if the channel was open. It would be good to take advantage of the increased water level due to the rainfall because it will soon evaporate. Not only did we see adults in the pond yesterday but schools of fry today circling by the sandbag blockage.
We noted a pile of fresh debris had been removed with some possible digging out of the edges of the bank above culvert pipe and also what looked like the start of an algae bloom close to Walkers, also present there. We have sent photos to APCC and so far they believe it is not cyanobacteria but Duckweed. Time will tell.
The pond gauge reads 3" today and the passage has an adequate level of water for safe migration except in two spots closest to Slough, a little digging perhaps and another strategic sand bag would resolve this- if the channel was open. It would be good to take advantage of the increased water level due to the rainfall because it will soon evaporate. Not only did we see adults in the pond yesterday but schools of fry today circling by the sandbag blockage.
We noted a pile of fresh debris had been removed with some possible digging out of the edges of the bank above culvert pipe and also what looked like the start of an algae bloom close to Walkers, also present there. We have sent photos to APCC and so far they believe it is not cyanobacteria but Duckweed. Time will tell.
June 13
The sandbags were opened this morning and this afternoon the emigration of remaining adult alewives had begun.
The sandbags were opened this morning and this afternoon the emigration of remaining adult alewives had begun.
June 15
No fish in the passage today at least during my visit. The water level is very good though and it is remarkable how well the sand bags work along the stream bed to keep the water flowing and to create depth in the shallower areas. All evidence of what appeared to be the beginning of an algae bloom in the lower end by Walker's is gone due to the outflow of water rather than its stagnation (when the sandbags weir was closed last week). APCC identified it initially as Duckweed but will be examining an actual specimen more closely.
No fish in the passage today at least during my visit. The water level is very good though and it is remarkable how well the sand bags work along the stream bed to keep the water flowing and to create depth in the shallower areas. All evidence of what appeared to be the beginning of an algae bloom in the lower end by Walker's is gone due to the outflow of water rather than its stagnation (when the sandbags weir was closed last week). APCC identified it initially as Duckweed but will be examining an actual specimen more closely.