Current Projects

  • Click Here for Water Quality PDF Test Results

    Two types of algae were identified in the sample taken. The amount (density) of each was measured in cells per milliliter. The World Health Organization maintains a chart (also on our website) of what they consider important levels of algae to be considered.  

    Green algae was identified at a density level of 8,400 cells/ml. This level is considered low and not of concern.  

    Blue-Green algae was identified at a density of 7,200 cells/ml. When compared to the WHO chart this too is consider low and no closure is suggested. For comparison purposes, density of 20,000 cells/ml would warrant an advisory. A density level at or above 100,000 cells/ml would indicate closure to contact recreation.  

    So what does this all mean? Keep in mind I’m not an expert biologist and everyone will have to interpret this information for themselves. The biologist from Pond and Lake Connection points out that finding low levels of Blue-Green algae at low levels is considered normal. It should also be noted that this is a one time one day test and things could change. The biologist also suggests that we stay aware of conditions on the pond and if you notice any thick film build up it should not be touched. 

    One other point I think needs to be made is that the water quality test results indicated a somewhat what elevated phosphorus level that may be contributing to the algae. As you know phosphorous is a component of lawn fertilizer. If you are considering fertilizing now in the fall or spring please don’t. 

Invasive Weed Mitigation

Updated 10/06/2024

Invasive weeds (Curley Leaf Pond Weed and Fanwort) have established themselves in the pond and become a nuisance as of 2022 and 2023. These weeds have a negative impact on recreation by creating large masses of vegetation that get caught in boat props and make swimming unpleasant. If mitigation efforts are not maintained these invasives run the risk of spreading further in the pond and destroying the native plants and wildlife and further degrading the quality of the pond for the community and its residents.

Friends of Great Hill Pond was established by members of the community to address this specific issue. Through a lot of research, coordination with state agencies, collaboration with other communities, and review of treatment options Friends of Great Hill Pond has established a treatment plan and long term mitigation strategy. Implementation on that plan began in the spring of 2024.

State grants are available that may help reimburse the cost of invasive weed mitigation but we have to raise money first and get the plan moving forward before we can apply for grant reimbursement. Any funds not consumed by the initial treatments or that are reimbursed by State of CT grants will be rolled forward to fund future treatments in this ongoing project.

Friends of Great Hill Pond Applied for grant funding for 2024. Unfortunately we were unable to secure grant funding for our treatment program due to

  • Increased competition for funding

  • Lack of public access relative to other grant applicants

  • Other proposed funding sites were prioritized because of higher priority invasive species

The state agency that administers these grants has assured us that our application was technically sound and that we should continue to apply for funding in 2025 and beyond.

What is our Working Group’s invasive weed strategy moving into 2025 and beyond?

 

2024 was our first year managing the invasive weeds.  We now realize that we need to have an adaptive approach. We will learn more each year. The size of the treatment areas should reduce. Weather conditions may change year to year. Outside funding may become available.  Our goal of preserving the health of Great Hill Pond will not change.

Simply stated our, mid range strategy is to continue to aggressively work to eradicate the Curlyleaf Pondweed with Diquat treatments in April wherever it is found.

Regarding the Fanwort, we will take a more measured approach to managing that weed in order to best balance controlling it without overly disrupting the nutrient balance.

Specifically, for 2025 our plan is:

1)    Treat about the  same acreage of Curlyleaf as we did in 2024 (~28 acres). A visual inspection by Pond & Lake Connections  beforehand will determine the exact acreage and will inform us on how effective last year’s treatment was at reducing the seed bank, which then will help us plan future treatments.

2)    Given that there has been very little regrowth of the Fanwort following our 2024 treatment and that that treatment may have contributed to the August algae bloom, we have decided to completely forego a 2025 treatment of the Fanwort. We expect some regrowth of the Fanwort in 2025 which we will monitor to inform our 2026 plans.

3)    Based on our experience in August, we plan to do algae testing, if needed, and E-coli bacteria testing at least once.

4)    We will again apply for the DEEP’s Aquatic Invasive Species Grant with perhaps less optimism than last year.

5)    We have set a fund raising goal of $14,000 to be completed by April 2025. Based on last year’s success, we expect to reach this goal based primarily on donations from our Great Hill Pond community.

Support Great Hill Pond

Friends of Great Hill Pond is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization run by volunteers in and around the Great Hill Pond community.