The mission of Friends of Long Pond Marstons Mills is to
educate, advocate and take action to
improve Long Pond's water quality so that it can be enjoyed
for all recreational uses​ including swimming, fishing and boating.

Current goals:

1. IMPROVE STORM DRAINAGE

​The Town of Barnstable has included in its fiscal year 2021 Capital Improvement Budget, $300,000 in funding for "Stormwater Improvements at Impaired Ponds Project".  This funding will be used to replace 4 catch basins which currently drain storm water directly into our pond, and install a fifth drainage system at the low area near the driveway to the Long Pond Farms Association beach. 

Work is expected to begin in mid to late-October and be completed by Thanksgiving.  In the meantime, the Department of Public Works has installed a compost filled filter sock at our most problematic catch basin, which seems to be functioning well.

2. MAKE CHANGES IN OUR HOMES

​We encourage homeowners around the pond and in its watershed area (to the northwest)  to reduce inputs into the pond.  Click on red links to see how we can help you.

• Have your home assessed by an expert.
• ​​Don't use pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers on your lawn, shrubs or trees;  consider lawn aeration as an alternative to fertilizing,
• pump your septic tanks every 2-3 years,
• capture roof, driveway or road run off in rainscaping or in a french drain,
• Rake fallen leaves and other debris away from pond shore,
• Move compost piles away from the pond,
• Use phosphate free cleaning products, 
• Dispose of toxic chemicals properly and​
• Install a nitrogen-reducing septic system.​

3. GATHER MORE DATA

​We expanded testing of our pond this summer to include four locations around the pond.  The Town tests in one location, and we have hired the Association to Preserve Cape Cod to test in three others. We plan to continue this testing during the summer of 2021.

Data collected includes field observations and photos, type of cyanobacteria present, digital microscope imagery, phycocyanin and chlorophyll pigment concentrations, amount of cyanobacteria present and cyanotoxin analysis. 

​The Town of Barnstable has requisitioned a comprehensive pond study to be conducted on Long Pond during 2021-22.  The result will be a management plan to address our cyanobacteria problem. 
Click here to see Town Plan

​But, we need your help and support.