Activities
Nuisance Aquatic Plant Management
Winter Pond has long battled both invasive plants and nuisance densities of native plants. The high water level this spring allowed FWP to fund another round of treatment while protecting the endangered plants. Three years of treatment have achieved important reductions in submerged pond weed and water lily density. Aquatic plants that can overwhelm Winter Pond include water lilies, slender naiad, water millfoil, the invasive water chestnut and curly-pondweed.
Invasive Wetland Plant Management
Managing wetland plants that grow along the shoreline and into the pond is also a critical effort for pond habitat and enjoyment. Current plants that pose a risk for Winter Pond include Phragmites, Reed Canary Grass, Yellow Flag Iris, and Flowering Bullrush.
Water Quality Testing and Monitoring
The second round of water quality testing was done in 2022 to compare to the 2021 baseline. Given the high water level in 2021, it was important to retest 2022 o validate the 2021 results.
Endangered Species and their Habitat
The book, History of Winchester, By Henry Smith Chapman, notes that Winter Pond is remarkable for certain very rare plants that are found growing upon its shores. Working with the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, the Friends have documented the growing conditions and habitat of the rare Lipocarpha-micrantha (Dwarf Bulrush) and developed methods for protecting the Dwarf Bulrush during treatment for nuisance aquatic plants.
Storm Drains Mapping and Drain Conditions
Developing and maintaining an inventory of the storm water drainage system in the Winter Pond watershed has assisted the Friends in working with the Town Engineers to upgrade the key catch basins that feed Winter Pond.