1997 to 2001

The data collected over the 5 years from 1997 through 2001 is found below. Click the links below to download the the data for each sample area.

                    Little Long Pond                             Gallows Pond
                    Long Pond                                        Halfway Pond
                    Round Pond                                     Bloody Pond North 
                                                                               Bloody Pond South

The Water Quality Summary from 2001

Let us start by saying the good news is that our ponds are healthy and clean...with some caveats.  By looking at the data sets for each of the ponds over recent years' tests and comparing the results to the qualitative criteria for "healthy" water included below each data set, one can get a rough idea of where each pond stands.  It should be noted that these data are only a few chemical measures for each pond that are widely separated in time and space.  There could be (and most likely are) wide variations in these parameters that our spot sampling does not resolve.  More frequent sampling of these and other chemical, biological, and ecological parameters would be required to get a "complete" picture of the status of our ponds.

With that said, we can see some trends starting to appear in our data. Combining these trends with general observation of the ponds over time we can't escape that our ponds are basically strong and healthy.  We are lucky to be living amongst such beautiful waters!  Turtles, frogs, fish, birds, and native plants still thrive in and around the waters of the Six Ponds.   However, signs are beginning to appear that Nature is starting to waver in its battle against the many anthropogenic insults we hurl at these waters. 

Little Long Pond is a good example of how the ponds may be starting to show signs of injury.  If you look at the data set for Little Long, you can see several red highlighted numbers.  These indicate where the "healthy" criteria discussed have been violated.  Little Long seems to be teetering on the edge in dealing with nutrient and acid inputs.  It is also at the outlet to Little Long where it joins Long Pond near the boat ramp that Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), an exotic menace, has made an appearance.  Purple Loosestrife is an invasive, introduced European plant that outcompetes native wetland plants and thus alters habitat for native flora and fauna.

We should continue to monitor for additional signs of stress in our area and, if possible, address the areas of concern as they arise.  The Six Ponds Executive Committee has and will be discussing appropriate remedial measures to tackle these and other problems in the future.  Anyone interested in helping by volunteering time, expertise or sharing knowledge of particular problems you might be aware of will help preserve and enhance the water quality of our ponds for the future.

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