October 1
The beautiful Slough Pond.
The beautiful Slough Pond.
October 3
A rare sighting today on the pond, a water witch, and it wasn't a Pied-billed Grebe, though they too have graced our waters in October. This water beauty was out practicing for the annual fundraising event by the non-profit Witches on the Water (WOW) paddle in Chatham tomorrow.
A rare sighting today on the pond, a water witch, and it wasn't a Pied-billed Grebe, though they too have graced our waters in October. This water beauty was out practicing for the annual fundraising event by the non-profit Witches on the Water (WOW) paddle in Chatham tomorrow.
October 10
A walk along the Slough passage revealed that all the water present two weeks ago is now gone. The pond level is a far way off from the channel entrance but with rain in the forecast things could change dramatically in the next week. Sand, leaves, and branches have accumulated along the entire dry passage and the culvert pipe is now entirely clogged and obstructed. No fish could pass through this. It is unfortunate that the Town did not take advantage of the dry conditions to clear it. Only time will tell what will happen with this year's outmigration of herring- just how much support they may need- we hope promises made (and voted on) in the spring will be kept. Here is a link to an interesting, timely, and related article in this week's Provincetown Independent, "As the Stripers Go."
Meanwhile, mist rises in the morning, migrants gather at dusk, leaves fall all day long, as hidden mushrooms sprout along the path and alewife fry swim past in the chilly water.
A walk along the Slough passage revealed that all the water present two weeks ago is now gone. The pond level is a far way off from the channel entrance but with rain in the forecast things could change dramatically in the next week. Sand, leaves, and branches have accumulated along the entire dry passage and the culvert pipe is now entirely clogged and obstructed. No fish could pass through this. It is unfortunate that the Town did not take advantage of the dry conditions to clear it. Only time will tell what will happen with this year's outmigration of herring- just how much support they may need- we hope promises made (and voted on) in the spring will be kept. Here is a link to an interesting, timely, and related article in this week's Provincetown Independent, "As the Stripers Go."
Meanwhile, mist rises in the morning, migrants gather at dusk, leaves fall all day long, as hidden mushrooms sprout along the path and alewife fry swim past in the chilly water.
October 15
After the rain...
After the rain...
Alewives.
The gauge and road runoff into passage.
The passage entrance from Walker's and clogged culvert pipe.
The passage full of water yet clogged with leaf, sand, and sticks.
Almost there, the pond level after 5" of rain at the Slough entrance to passage with sandbag weir.
Schools of fry this morning passing by our house.
October 19
Good morning from Slough Pond... a parade of alewife fry.
Good morning from Slough Pond... a parade of alewife fry.
October 22
The pond level has risen a tad closer to the gauge, marking the potential for the herring fry to out-migrate, that is, once the passage is clear of its accumulation of leaves and sand; even if digging, though sanctioned in the DMF's Stream Maintenance Plan (SMP), to remove obstructions to herring migration, is presently disallowed by the Town. It seems some individuals working for the Town who oversee herring migration, citing wetland concerns*, are still disturbed by the extensive digging and clearing accomplished by Mosquito Control last December (that many saw as long-overdue). The Mosquito Control crew was following their own authorized mandate. Though we had thought this issue was resolved with various meetings between the parties, apparently it was not. One could ask if the stakeholders are working, or not, at cross-purposes rather than in partnership with each other in trying to do their respective jobs. There is still time for the progeny of this year's herring migration to join their ranks at sea but we will need a little more rain and a little help from some friends, and perhaps some negotiation and diplomacy, to make this happen.
The pond level has risen a tad closer to the gauge, marking the potential for the herring fry to out-migrate, that is, once the passage is clear of its accumulation of leaves and sand; even if digging, though sanctioned in the DMF's Stream Maintenance Plan (SMP), to remove obstructions to herring migration, is presently disallowed by the Town. It seems some individuals working for the Town who oversee herring migration, citing wetland concerns*, are still disturbed by the extensive digging and clearing accomplished by Mosquito Control last December (that many saw as long-overdue). The Mosquito Control crew was following their own authorized mandate. Though we had thought this issue was resolved with various meetings between the parties, apparently it was not. One could ask if the stakeholders are working, or not, at cross-purposes rather than in partnership with each other in trying to do their respective jobs. There is still time for the progeny of this year's herring migration to join their ranks at sea but we will need a little more rain and a little help from some friends, and perhaps some negotiation and diplomacy, to make this happen.
It will help to add two more wardens to the 3-member Alewife Committee- there is a vote for this on the Special Town Meeting warrant next month- especially if they are "working" as well as "voting" wardens. "Manpower" has been an issue for the wardens and the NRD staff; AmeriCorps crews are no longer allowed to help out. Their help made a difference in the outlying freshwater connections along the migratory route, like here at Slough Pond. Perhaps "designated volunteers" (as mentioned in the SMP), say Citizen Corps, Neighborhood Corps, Friends of Slough Pond Corps, could lend a hand. The NRD came up with an inventive plan in the spring, a work-around for the "no digging" rule, with their staggered sandbags (see June), which may not work for the outmigration. We remain hopeful for an effective plan for the fall as we edge closer to winter and we trust that provisions will be made for the outgoing fry down at the ladder, with renovations continuing throughout the winter months. Meanwhile leaves keep falling, sand keeps shoaling, and the fry will keep circling waiting for their opening.
*The wetland concerns center on "side-casting" of sand, dug from the channel, along its banks, typical practice at all inland migratory routes across the Cape. Sand accumulates all year at the mouth of channels from wave action in ponds and in the case of Slough Pond also at the culvert where run-off from the dirt road builds up after heavy rainstorms. Digging out of sand with hand tools is accepted and required practice unless you want the channel to eventually close off preventing fish passage. Closure is an option still favored by some Town officials at the Slough passage; the three options being, status quo, closure, or restoration of a migratory route that has been operable for 100- 175 years, by some estimates. The Natural Resources Advisory Commission, in 2023, commissioned Brad Chase of the DMF to conduct a two-year River Herring and Habitat Nursery Assessment Study for Stony Brook Watershed to address this question. His preliminary findings will be presented at a joint meeting of the NRAC and the AC on November 3rd. So much depends on his findings.
*The wetland concerns center on "side-casting" of sand, dug from the channel, along its banks, typical practice at all inland migratory routes across the Cape. Sand accumulates all year at the mouth of channels from wave action in ponds and in the case of Slough Pond also at the culvert where run-off from the dirt road builds up after heavy rainstorms. Digging out of sand with hand tools is accepted and required practice unless you want the channel to eventually close off preventing fish passage. Closure is an option still favored by some Town officials at the Slough passage; the three options being, status quo, closure, or restoration of a migratory route that has been operable for 100- 175 years, by some estimates. The Natural Resources Advisory Commission, in 2023, commissioned Brad Chase of the DMF to conduct a two-year River Herring and Habitat Nursery Assessment Study for Stony Brook Watershed to address this question. His preliminary findings will be presented at a joint meeting of the NRAC and the AC on November 3rd. So much depends on his findings.
October 23
A swan and cygnet circling and feeding in the pond this morning. Two swans often visit our pond throughout the year, sometimes with their offspring. A mated pair has resided in the same spot on Walker's Pond for untold years, just past the entrance to the herring passage, in the East, and in the North, a pair resides at Bound Brook, both guarding their nests quite vigorously from fishermen and boaters and other waterfowl. It is unusual to see only one adult here, nevertheless, on a personal level, I always consider their presence as a visitation from the beyond, honoring my Celtic heritage.
A swan and cygnet circling and feeding in the pond this morning. Two swans often visit our pond throughout the year, sometimes with their offspring. A mated pair has resided in the same spot on Walker's Pond for untold years, just past the entrance to the herring passage, in the East, and in the North, a pair resides at Bound Brook, both guarding their nests quite vigorously from fishermen and boaters and other waterfowl. It is unusual to see only one adult here, nevertheless, on a personal level, I always consider their presence as a visitation from the beyond, honoring my Celtic heritage.
And in the woods, along the passage, things are happening and not happening.
October 27
October 29
The Alewife Committee has scheduled a joint meeting with the Natural Resources Advisory Commission (NRAC) for Monday, November 3, at 5 pm, at the Town Hall and virtually (Agenda). This is an important meeting. The DMF's Brad Chase will present preliminary findings of his two-year Habitat Study, which includes Slough Pond. In the spring, when he submits his final study, decisions will be made on the future of this migratory route, and that of other inland ponds connected to the Stony Brook Herring Run and Watershed. The NRAC commissioned his study as one of three options for the Slough Pond passage two years ago: closure, restoration, further study.
The Alewife Committee has scheduled a joint meeting with the Natural Resources Advisory Commission (NRAC) for Monday, November 3, at 5 pm, at the Town Hall and virtually (Agenda). This is an important meeting. The DMF's Brad Chase will present preliminary findings of his two-year Habitat Study, which includes Slough Pond. In the spring, when he submits his final study, decisions will be made on the future of this migratory route, and that of other inland ponds connected to the Stony Brook Herring Run and Watershed. The NRAC commissioned his study as one of three options for the Slough Pond passage two years ago: closure, restoration, further study.
Brad Chase, May 23, 2025, Slough Pond.
October 31
News, as we close out this month...
We have been advised that there is a plan for the Slough Pond connector we have been wondering about this month (see esp. October 22). The DNR in coordination with the ConCom Administrator have indicated that the stream is being monitored and when the water level in the pond is high enough for the out-migration of this year's herring fry they will clean the passage of leaves, debris, and sediment. (It will be more difficult to do so with high water levels in the passage obviously.)
We have been further advised that it will not be necessary to block the Slough Pond channel- as was done last year by a warden- to prevent the fry's out-migration down to the ladder, which was and still is under reconstruction. The contractor will not be pumping water at the ladder as frequently as last year and if there is any pumping a screen will be placed at the head of the ladder at Lower Mill Pond to protect the fish.
This is all good news and we hope this plan will be effectively enacted in the next month or two.
This is all good news and we hope this plan will be effectively enacted in the next month or two.
