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. 

Special Projects

Sediment Drain for Little Winter - Completed 2023

Currently, road sediment and stormwater runoff from nearby roadways, such as Woodside Road, Pond Street, and Chesterford Road, flow directly into Winter Pond. Consequently, dirt, sand, fertilizer, and other pollutants go directly into the Pond. This has a detrimental effect on water quality and, subsequently, on the plants and wildlife that depend on the pond water, as well as on recreational activities that require open water. These pollutants are particularly harmful to Little Winter because it is so shallow and, therefore, even more vulnerable to the negative impacts of sedimentation and eutrophication.

Thanks to the efforts of State Representative Michael Day and the state delegation representing Winchester, the FY2022 Massachusetts state budget included $100,000 for projects to improve Winter Pond. Working with the Town of Winchester, FWP identified a sediment drain for Little Winter Pond as a top priority.  The state funds covered the design and permitting costs associated with a sediment drain for Little Winter.  Funding for the new sediment drain, called a Water Quality Unit, were approved at Fall '22 Town Meeting.  Construction is anticipated for Spring 2023. 

Improvements to Woodside Road - Spring 2024

In 2022 the Winchester DPW installed a new sidewalk along a portion of the Big Winter side of Woodside Road and replaced the entire sidewalk along Little Winter side of Woodside Road.  The design for the remaining sidewalk on the Big Winter side is complete and awaiting Spring '23 Town Meeting approval for the construction funds.