Passing by the Mill Pond, I am always struck by its beauty and the variety of wildlife that enjoy its waters all year round: the otters sliding on the ice or diving under water, the ducks and geese
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
Passing by the Mill Pond, I am always struck by its beauty and the variety of wildlife that enjoy its waters all year round: the otters sliding on the ice or diving under water, the ducks and geese placidly swimming around, the majestic swans gliding on its surface and the amazing aerial fishermen, the osprey, diving for their catch. Isn’t it a wonder that every generation of young fishermen flock to the freshly stocked pond to try their hand at angling. What a joy it is to see the pond sparkle under the bright sun or reflect its crimson hue at dusk.
As for the elvers and “salties,” certainly more will be able to swim upstream once the selectmen accept the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s offer of assistance for a new fish ladder.
Beatrice Nessen, West Tisbury
Comments
The beauty of the Mill Pond
Prudy Burt West TisburyThe beauty of the Mill Pond described in the Mrs. Nessen's letter is only one kind of beauty, and just happens to be the one that we have known in our lifetimes. As Heidi Schultz pointed out in her letter to this paper in February, 2012 supporting stream restoration, "For us, it will be a return to a different loveliness; for the sea run trout and others it will mean a return to life".
It would be much more of a wonder if future generations of our young fishermen and women could flock to the banks of a restored Mill Brook to try their hand at catching our native fish; river herring, smelt and brook trout - something that didn't have to arrive here in the back of a truck which will not survive the water temperatures in the Mill Pond as it warms in the coming weeks.
Between July 20 and October 10, 2012, the pond 'sparkling under the bright sun' meant that water temperatures in the Mill Pond were above 80 degrees for 20 days, and well above 70 degrees for another 45 days in the same time period, as recorded by a Hobo water temperature logger placed just below Mill Pond. A fish ladder does not address this, nor does it address other habitat impacts created by dams and their manmade impoundments. During a fish survey by state fisheries biologist Steve Hurley in September, 2012, not a single brook trout was found below the Mill Pond dam, where the water is too warm for their survival.
Lastly, Brad Chase, of the Division of Marine Fisheries, writes (under Recommendations, #4) "We support efforts to investigate improved fish passage and dam removal at Mill Pond Dam. Restoration that improves natural stream connectivity is preferred by MarineFisheries at this location."
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