No water, no life. No blue, no green.
-- Sylvia Earle |
Eight Communities, Two Watersheds, One Water District
Central Plymouth County Water District encompasses the communities of Brockton, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Pembroke, Plympton, and Whitman. The east side of the District is part of the South Coastal Watershed; the west side, part of the Taunton Watershed. Why is this important? Because it means that manmade diversions within the District are sending water in the opposite direction of natural flow, which may causes problems if not carefully managed.
Important Water Bodies and Concerns
Within the District there are many rivers and lakes that are critical sources for natural habitat, drinking water, and recreational enjoyment. The Commission focuses in particular on the following:
SILVER LAKE
Tubbs Meadow Brook flows into Silver Lake, a glacial lake and one of the largest natural lakes in Massachusetts. Located within the towns of Pembroke, Kingston, and Plympton, Silver Lake serves as the headwaters for Jones River, which flows out into Cape Cod Bay. These two water bodies historically supported healthy populations of anadromous fish runs. Today, you'll find bass, perch, and pickerel in the lake. Wood duck, Cooper's hawk, fox, and river otter are among the wildlife found around the lake.
Silver Lake serves as the primary drinking water source for Brockton, so recreational activities on the lake are not allowed. Most years, from October to May, Brockton diverts water into Silver Lake from Monponsett Pond and Furnace Pond. Because withdrawals are more than natural recharge, water levels persistently drop in the lake eliminating the natural connection and outflow to Jones River.
The Commission pays particular attention to three issues regarding Silver Lake:
MONPONSETT POND
Monponsett Pond is one lake that has been dissected into East Monponsett Pond and West Monponsett Pond by Route 58. A culvert under the road connects the two sides of the pond. Mostly within the community of Halifax, a small part of the west side of the lake does extend into Hanson. Routes 106 and 36 also run close to the east side of Monponsett.
Monponsett Pond is used heavily for recreation: boating, jet skiing, and water skiing as well as fishing (particularly bass). In addition to bass, many other species of fish may be found in the lake, including bluegill, perch, and American eel.
The natural outflow for Monponsett is Stump Brook (and eventually Taunton River), in the northwestern part of West Monponsett Pond. Since 1964, however, Brockton has been permitted to divert water in the opposite direction, from East Monponsett Pond into Silver Lake.
Due to its reengineering, proximity to heavily trafficked roads, cranberry farming, nearby household septic systems, and heavy recreational use, Monponsett Pond faces significant water quality challenges. West Monponsett suffers from blooms of cyanobacteria, which endanger human health, prevent recreational use of the lake, and threaten drinking water supply. Halifax has been treating the lake with aluminum sulfate to help prevent blooms.
The Commission pays particular attention to two issues regarding Monponsett Pond:
FURNACE POND
Furnace Pond is located in Pembroke. The pond receives water from Oldham Pond and nearby cranberry bogs, and drains out to Herring Brook (eventually North River). It is used recreationally for fishing (including bass) and boating, and there is a swimming beach along its southern shore. There is heavy residential development around the pond.
Furnace Pond faces significant water quality challenges, both from cyanobacteria blooms as well as overgrowth of pond weeds. Since 1964, Brockton has been allowed to divert water from Furnace Pond into Silver Lake, via Tubbs Meadow Brook. Brockton manages its dam and outflow to Herring Brook, impacting water quality of Furnace Pond and the downstream resources of the North River.
The Commission pays particular attention to the effect, if any, Furnace Pond diversions may have on the quality of water in Silver Lake.
SILVER LAKE
Tubbs Meadow Brook flows into Silver Lake, a glacial lake and one of the largest natural lakes in Massachusetts. Located within the towns of Pembroke, Kingston, and Plympton, Silver Lake serves as the headwaters for Jones River, which flows out into Cape Cod Bay. These two water bodies historically supported healthy populations of anadromous fish runs. Today, you'll find bass, perch, and pickerel in the lake. Wood duck, Cooper's hawk, fox, and river otter are among the wildlife found around the lake.
Silver Lake serves as the primary drinking water source for Brockton, so recreational activities on the lake are not allowed. Most years, from October to May, Brockton diverts water into Silver Lake from Monponsett Pond and Furnace Pond. Because withdrawals are more than natural recharge, water levels persistently drop in the lake eliminating the natural connection and outflow to Jones River.
The Commission pays particular attention to three issues regarding Silver Lake:
- Protecting water quality (diversions from Monponsett Pond and Furnace Pond send a lower quality of water into Silver Lake, necessitating close monitoring and careful management)
- Maintaining healthy lake levels (especially during the summer and times of drought, when sustainable water management is critical)
- Working toward ecologically adequate flows out to Jones River as well as enabling fish migration back into Silver Lake
MONPONSETT POND
Monponsett Pond is one lake that has been dissected into East Monponsett Pond and West Monponsett Pond by Route 58. A culvert under the road connects the two sides of the pond. Mostly within the community of Halifax, a small part of the west side of the lake does extend into Hanson. Routes 106 and 36 also run close to the east side of Monponsett.
Monponsett Pond is used heavily for recreation: boating, jet skiing, and water skiing as well as fishing (particularly bass). In addition to bass, many other species of fish may be found in the lake, including bluegill, perch, and American eel.
The natural outflow for Monponsett is Stump Brook (and eventually Taunton River), in the northwestern part of West Monponsett Pond. Since 1964, however, Brockton has been permitted to divert water in the opposite direction, from East Monponsett Pond into Silver Lake.
Due to its reengineering, proximity to heavily trafficked roads, cranberry farming, nearby household septic systems, and heavy recreational use, Monponsett Pond faces significant water quality challenges. West Monponsett suffers from blooms of cyanobacteria, which endanger human health, prevent recreational use of the lake, and threaten drinking water supply. Halifax has been treating the lake with aluminum sulfate to help prevent blooms.
The Commission pays particular attention to two issues regarding Monponsett Pond:
- Monitoring and improving water quality in both sides of the lake
- Working toward adequate flows out to Stump Brook, thus helping lessen nutrient loads in Monponsett Pond
FURNACE POND
Furnace Pond is located in Pembroke. The pond receives water from Oldham Pond and nearby cranberry bogs, and drains out to Herring Brook (eventually North River). It is used recreationally for fishing (including bass) and boating, and there is a swimming beach along its southern shore. There is heavy residential development around the pond.
Furnace Pond faces significant water quality challenges, both from cyanobacteria blooms as well as overgrowth of pond weeds. Since 1964, Brockton has been allowed to divert water from Furnace Pond into Silver Lake, via Tubbs Meadow Brook. Brockton manages its dam and outflow to Herring Brook, impacting water quality of Furnace Pond and the downstream resources of the North River.
The Commission pays particular attention to the effect, if any, Furnace Pond diversions may have on the quality of water in Silver Lake.