The Conservation Commission approved a request by the Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee to lower the water level in Bare Hill Pond by 6 feet this fall, beginning in October. The drawdown is expected to be complete by the end of November.
The goal of the drawdowns is to reduce weed growth in shallow areas of the pond by exposing that ground to freezing winter temperatures. The 2014 drawdown lowered the water level by 5.5 feet, while the 2012 drawdown dropped the pond by 6 feet, and that of 2011 by 6.5 feet. In 2013, the commission voted to take a break after a decade of regular drawdowns.
Two residents who frequent the pond told the commission that weeds seemed thick this year, especially in areas more than 6 feet deep. A woman who swims to Blueberry Island every day said she encounters lots of weeds, including a vine-like weed that wrapped itself around her neck in a way she said might cause panic for an inexperienced swimmer or a child. She proceeded to demonstrate the effect by wrapping the weed-vine around the neck of commission member Don Ritchie, who took it in good spirit.
