Wellfleet’s ponds are among the last remaining pristine bodies of freshwater on Cape Cod. Like many other ponds on the Cape, they face significant threats from the unprecedented rise in water and air temperatures, exacerbated by increasing nutrient inputs from human activities in and around the ponds. These inputs contribute to higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, which feed the growth of invasive plants and toxic algae, jeopardizing the health of the ponds.
As part of the Wellfleet Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB)‘s charter, the NRAB periodically prepares Pond and Harbor Management Plans for the Selectboard. The last such Pond Management Plan was completed and the Draft Plan presented to the Select Board on August 6, 2024. The Draft Plan’s primary objective is to maintain the natural health of the ponds over the next decade while preventing the acceleration of the natural eutrophication process.
Active management is essential for the pond water quality health and sustainability. And the Draft Plan stresses the importance of maintaining (and understanding the implications of the data from) a water quality data base, conducting regular testing, implementing nutrient reduction strategies, controlling invasive species, and pursuing ongoing research and adaptive management to address evolving environmental conditions and challenges.
The Draft Plan also emphasizes that community involvement is crucial for effective pond stewardship and for monitoring environmental conditions, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pond ecosystem. The overarching goal is to cultivate a balanced ecosystem that supports recreational opportunities while maintaining water quality, ensuring that Wellfleet’s ponds remain a vital and enjoyable resource for future generations.
The Draft Plan presented last August also suggested the need for a Pond Coordinator to oversee various functions and coordination of pond advocacy. While the need for coordinated oversight remains long term, there have been meaningful changes/reduction in funding to the National Park Service. Consequently, the NRAB and Town of Wellfleet have organized interim emergency funding for a reduced testing protocol of the pond water quality from spring 2025 through April 2026. The longer term implications for the Cape Cod National Seashore Park water testing program and Wellfleet pond management are part of on-going work by the NRAB and FWP.