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Long Pond Marstons Mills is a 55 acre kettle pond owned by the State of MA and managed by the Town of Barnstable. It is approximately 3500 feet long and 700 feet wide. Its depth extends up to 18-20 feet in two areas (holes). The pond's watershed (area from which above and below ground water drains into the pond) is approx. 430 acres and extends to the northwest of the pond. |
.Long Pond is among one third of ponds on the Cape experiencing cyanobacteria overgrowth. This problem has been growing over many years throughout the U.S. and around the world. Scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of the issue, and tech companies around the world are applying that knowledge with new devices and techniques.
The Association to Preserve Cape Cod has targeted cyanobacteria as one of its major initiatives. The Barnstable Clean Water Coalition is also addressing this problem, with a focus on alternative septic systems and other initiatives to reduce inputs into our ponds.
The Town of Barnstable has committed to the following Pond Improvement Plan for Long Pond:
Fall 2020 (Fiscal year 2021) - Stormwater improvements in 5 locations
Spring/Summer 2021 (FY 2022) - Comprehensive Pond Study by SMAST
Fall 2021 (FY 2023) - Management Plan Capital Improvement Budget Request
July 2022 (FY 2023) - Money allocated for Pond Managment Implementation
Spring 2024 - Long Pond Management Plan Implemented
Source: Barnstable Department of Public Works, 9/11/2020
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Studies of Barnstable Ponds:
APCC's State of the Waters: Cape Cod 2021 Report
Pond Water Quality Assessment of 23 Ponds in the Town of Barnstable using Pond and Lake Stewardship (PALS) Protocols, 2017
Action Plan for the Barnstable Ponds, EcoLogic LLC , Stearns & Wheler GHD, December 31, 2009
Barnstable Ponds: Current Status, Available Data, and Recommendations for Future Activities FINAL REPORT July 2008
The Association to Preserve Cape Cod has targeted cyanobacteria as one of its major initiatives. The Barnstable Clean Water Coalition is also addressing this problem, with a focus on alternative septic systems and other initiatives to reduce inputs into our ponds.
The Town of Barnstable has committed to the following Pond Improvement Plan for Long Pond:
Fall 2020 (Fiscal year 2021) - Stormwater improvements in 5 locations
Spring/Summer 2021 (FY 2022) - Comprehensive Pond Study by SMAST
Fall 2021 (FY 2023) - Management Plan Capital Improvement Budget Request
July 2022 (FY 2023) - Money allocated for Pond Managment Implementation
Spring 2024 - Long Pond Management Plan Implemented
Source: Barnstable Department of Public Works, 9/11/2020
________________________________________________
Studies of Barnstable Ponds:
APCC's State of the Waters: Cape Cod 2021 Report
Pond Water Quality Assessment of 23 Ponds in the Town of Barnstable using Pond and Lake Stewardship (PALS) Protocols, 2017
Action Plan for the Barnstable Ponds, EcoLogic LLC , Stearns & Wheler GHD, December 31, 2009
Barnstable Ponds: Current Status, Available Data, and Recommendations for Future Activities FINAL REPORT July 2008
Cyanobacteria are commonly found in the phytoplankton community of aquatic ecosystems. They form the base of the food web of freshwater ponds and streams that flow into coastal estuaries and the ocean. The presence of cyanobacteria is natural and important. However, overabundant cyanobacterial growth (called blooms) degrades habitats and damages the environment. When algae blooms form and cyanobacteria degrade, many release cyanotoxins (e.g. Microcystin.) Exposure to cyanotoxins can have serious health implications for wildlife, humans, and pets.
Additional information can be found by clicking on the following links:
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d4a87e6cdfd44d6ea7b97477969cb1dd
www.mass.gov/info-details/microcystis-and-anabaena-algae-blooms
www.cdc.gov/habs/general.html
www.epa.gov/cyanohabs
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guidelines-for-cyanobacteria-in-freshwater-recreational-water-bodies
Additional information can be found by clicking on the following links:
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d4a87e6cdfd44d6ea7b97477969cb1dd
www.mass.gov/info-details/microcystis-and-anabaena-algae-blooms
www.cdc.gov/habs/general.html
www.epa.gov/cyanohabs
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guidelines-for-cyanobacteria-in-freshwater-recreational-water-bodies
Click thumbnails to expand slides
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Long Pond Development:
Two graphs below show the status of the pond phosphorous and chlorophyll from 2008. Note the horizontal orange line indicating how Long Pond Marstons Mills exceeded the threshold for healthy ponds:
