2013 dpa fall meeting pond health report

October 21, 2013 Dudley Pond Sunrise November 6, 2011

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2013 DPA Fall Meeting

SWQC Dudley Pond –Health Report

Recent History – 6 year, dual strategy  Herbicide to gain control when needed  Aggressive Hand Pulling to remove the roots - pre & post herbicide 2008 – 2009 – 2010 – 2011 – 2012 –

sonar whole lake treatment, hand pulling follow-up 6000 plants hand pull: 18,237 plants -- 7,026 were old growth, survived sonar hand pull: 6145 plants, triclopyr spot treatment 18 acres hand pull: 10,485 plants, no herbicide hand pull: 38,191 plants, no herbicide

2013 – hand pull: 44,446 plants (to 7/31) triclopyr spot treatment 18.9 acres 10/27/2013

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Six-Year Activity & Cost Recap

DPA provides a 25% Cost share

10/27/2013

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2013 RECORD Hand Pulling!

April 15 – Pulling begins – Near shores first, middle deeper areas later – 16,000 plants pulled

June 28 –triclopyr spot treatment – 18.9 acres

July/Aug/Sep - treatment: – pulling to late July. Total:44,486 • 9/20 - 10/15 End-of-season survey: good control at year end but some plants pulled.

• A tough year!

10/27/2013

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2013 Hand Pulling April/May

16,089 plants 10/27/2013

(2012: 2462) 6

2013 Hand Pulling JUNE

20,390 more plants 10/27/2013

(2012: 4819) 7

6/28 ACT airboat

– 18 acre spot triclopyr treatment

10/27/2013

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6/28/13 - Triclopyr spot treatment

10/27/2013

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2013 Post-treatment Hand Pulling - JULY

7957 more plants 10/28/2012

(2012: 6956) Record total: 44,486 10

10/27/2013

Good control, a few plans pulled. New growth visible.

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Why was the lake so high?

• Per our ConCom Order of Conditions, we dammed the outlet to keep the herbicide from Dudley Brook which passes the towns wells.

• Was is safe? The day

after treatment, concentration of triclopyr was below the 300ppm allowed by EPA in drinking water reservoirs.

• We released the dam at 3ppm, 100x lower, and the pond level went down 9” 10/27/2013

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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.

10/27/2013

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Managing Tape Grass - Allison’s Perspective First Noticed: ~8 yrs ago in the Peter's Cove area -Past 2 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 towards Jackson's house 2 large patches in Lowery Hub 2 med patches on line of Olin cove and Turtle Sea and in Turtle Sea Small 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?

Thoughts on Management: -Rake the uprooted plants in the fall to reduce the plant decomposition/silt inducing end -Rent a manatee to manually remove the plant

Propagation by seeds and sprigs so raking (or manatee rental) uprooted plants may really help to slow growth.

Raking a 20x20 patch of uprooted plants takes 30 minutes for one person and removes thousands of plants in the process that would float for relocation or decomposition .

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2012 E-coli Measurements

2012: BoH took over testing– SWQC arranged sample taking.

Thanks to Lisa Newton for taking samples 04/29/2012

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2013 E-coli Measurements

Thanks to Lisa Newton for taking weekly samples all summer.

04/29/2012

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Our Defensive Line‌.

10/27/2013

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2013 –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

10/27/2013

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• Points correspond with historic sampling points • Sampling: April, August, November • Reports available – ask Mike

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2013 –Water Chemistry – slight improvement Carlson Trophic Index – measure of Eutrophication

Fall sampling coming up in November 10/28/2012

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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

10/28/2012

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Phosphorus Inactivation?

• SWQC is studying possible application of alum or other phosphorus inactivation treatments for bottom sediments.

• Makes sense once we get runoff under control.

• Draft Analysis discussed at next SWQC meeting.

10/27/2013

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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.

10/27/2013

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East Dudley Septic Study SWQC studied septic systems on the East side of the pond where groundwater movement is toward the pond.

SWQC’s goal – reduce nutrients: • Better data base • Stricter regulations • Periodic Inspections • Appropriate technology • Funding alternatives for upgrades.

• Presented to : DPA, DAAC, Conservation, WWMDC, Board of Health, Planning Board • Remaining: Selectmen 10/27/2013

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It CAN flow uphill… moving septic Connecting not required but need 4-5 homes to be viable.

Max: 10,000 gpd each (20-25 homes) Connect when: home sold, system failure, improvements require, personal desire We’re seeking low cost financing, or 20 year betterments.

10/27/2013

Please Support Dudley Woods – Spring 2013 Town Meeting Transfers to Recreation for passive use, Rocky Point to Conservation 25

2013 Politics , Funding & Permitting: Mostly Good News: • SWQC town budget in good shape.

• Good relationships built with town boards • All Wayland is aware of nutrient problems on DP.  Mass permit extension act – 1 year left on our permit.

• DPA cost-sharing helps the town accept SWQC budgets for Dudley Pond • 2013 is the third year of the phosphorus ban in home cleaning products, and second year of phosphorus ban in fertilizers.

10/27/2013

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2013 Politics – Scrutiny & the ‘NO’ signs • Dudley Pond is the hot topic in Conservation, Health, DAAC, and ZBA hearings.

• Dudley Woods coming up at Spring Town Meeting 10/27/2013

DPA welcomes.

This sign doesn’t.

It causes needless controversy.

Let’s do something more helpful.

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The LaClaire Collection - 2013

Viewings & fittings by appointment

10/27/2013

Thanks to Allison for her tireless efforts collecting and curating the Dudley Depths artifact collection.

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