Harwich Water Quality Task Force
Maintaining and restoring the Quality of Harwich Ponds and Harbors
Harwich, Ma
 Return to Aunt Edies Pond

Aunt Edie's Pond Fact Sheet
(Prior Name "Josiah Bassetts Pond")
1/06/2006

Location

Off Oak Street, Lakeview Road and Cranberry Lane North of Queen Anne

Pond Association

Yes

Number of homes

26 on pond, 23 on Lakeview

IEP 1989 Study

Yes

Pond Uses
  Swimming Yes  
  Boating Yes  
  Fishing

Yes

 Large Mouth Bass, Blue Gills, Pickerel, Perch , Sunfish
  Other

             

Pond Characteristics
Shape Fig 8 with an "L" Size-22 acres Max Depth-9 feet
Beaches-2 neighbor hood 8 owner beaches Inlets None Outlets-None
Public Access No

% Developed-75developed 25% unbuildable(six pond area)

% Conservation-15 2 abanoned cranberry bogs

Shore Line Vegetation--Water Willow,Plymouth gentian, Sedge, Yellow eyed grass

Docks- 2

Current Conditions

Pond Vegetation-White and Yellow Water Lillies, Milfoil, Pipewort
Shellfish Yes Algae Yes  

Animal/Waterfowl-Geese, Ducks, Turtles, Swan, Muskrat, Deer, Coyote.

Run Off-Lakeview ramp, Red Pine, Oak Street

Erosion-Sandy Shore Beach

Conclusions
Present issues-Vegatation spreading, road runoff contamination, erosion, Waterfowl, Nutrient buildup, Algae blooms.
Future threats-Sediment buildup.

 

Field Data Sheet Comments 2005

Heavy infestation of milfoil and algae blooms reported throughout the later half of 2005. Algae covered the milfoil keeping it submerged so that swimming and fishing were possible. Algae scum did not form during year.  Erosion was not visible during the year due to the high water levels. To ascertain if the pond’s oxygen levels remain at the level measured by the volunteers prior to 9:00 AM, readings were taken every 4 hours round the clock on 09-02-2004. The data showed that there was not a drop off as the % saturation maximum was 81.4% at 8:00 PM and the minimum was 69.5% at 8:00 AM. The DO maximum reading was 6.58mg/l at 8:00 PM and the lowest 6.20mg/l at noon.

Dr John Todd of Ocean Arks International did a report on Aunt Edie’s Pond for the Sandy Shore Assoc. during June of 1989. Sediment analysis found the ponds acid, ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorous and volatile solids to be very high. The maximum depth, Secchi depth, pH, and DO measurements were comparable with recent measurements. Dr Todd recommended that the pond be brought back slowly over a period of years with a single repeated action, such as liming, or relatively quickly through a comprehensive program. The Sandy Shore Association proceeded with the liming option and successfully brought the pH up to the mid 6 range for several years. Copies of the report are available upon request.