 POND NEWSFWP Newsletter - Fall 2026 In this issue
All issues of the FWP newsletter can be found on the FWP website. Oh No! - Cyano (bacteria)We had thought we might get through the season without seeing one of those cyanobacteria alerts that have been plaguing ponds on the Upper Cape this summer. But, in late September, conditions in three of the eight monitored Wellfleet ponds reached APCC's 'Potential for Concern' level. It started on 9/17 when FWP volunteers Sharon & Gary Kreamer observed and collected thin bands of green-celled scum from the shorelines of Great and Dyer ponds as part of their bi-weekly sampling. Subsequent lab analysis of the scums and associated water samples by APCC confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria at concentrations in the alert range. Communication between National Seashore scientists and Wellfleet Public Health department agents followed, leading to posting signs at both ponds the next day advising people and their pets to stay out of the water. Resampling of the two ponds over the next two weeks supported the need to continue those alert postings, with monitoring on 10/1 resulting in an additional posting for Duck Pond. What caused these cyanobacteria blooms?As with all cyanobacteria blooms, it is difficult to definitively pinpoint any one trigger for them. We can speculate that heavy rains on both weekends before the scums appeared may have introduced excess nutrients down the steeply-sloping banks bordering each of the ponds. But, there are also potentially other ecological factors - such as changing water temperature regimes and light levels in the ponds - that could have contributed to the cyanobacteria ramping up their reproduction at this time. In consideration of the observed trend to late-season blooms in our Outer Cape ponds, National Seashore scientists are in the process of evaluating the masses of water quality data available to explore what, if any, correlations and causal factors can be identified. While we look forward to seeing what comes out of that research, we eagerly await and hold hopes that monitoring of our ponds in the weeks ahead will indicate a return to 'Acceptable' levels. Although 2026 data from the Cape Cod National Seashore's monitoring of other water quality measures for our Wellfleet ponds is not yet available, a comprehensive summary report to the town for the 2025 season concluded that - of the 7 intensely-monitored ponds (Duck, Dyer, Great, Gull, Herring, Long and Spectacle) - only Herring showed conditions of concern, and that only for two levels: chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus. Stay up-to-dateFor those wishing to keep attuned to how our Wellfleet ponds are doing with cyanobacteria, APCC offers two avenues for accessing current conditions in all monitored Cape Cod ponds: 1) through an interactive cyanobacteria monitoring map at: https://apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/cyanobacteria/ 2) by signing up for cyanobacteria alert emails at: https://apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/cyanobacteria/cyanobacteria-alert/. Recently, the town of Wellfleet opened a web page highlighting water quality alerts for any of our pond, bay and ocean beaches. It can be accessed at: https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/351/Beach-and-Pond-Water-Quality. For further information on water quality monitoring of our Wellfleet ponds and what the results of monitoring can tell us about the health of our ponds, check out the FWP website at: https://wellfleetponds.org/data/. For more background information about cyanobacteria and the ponds, what they are and why they concern us, go to the FWP website at:  Thank You Party for FWP Volunteers Despite the torrential rain on September 13, FWP Board members and volunteers enjoyed a lively social gathering and a delicious spread of food to celebrate our volunteers and to thank them for their good work. We are so grateful for everyone who has joined in support of FWP’s ongoing efforts to protect and preserve our ponds through advocacy, education, and monitoring. We are fortunate, indeed, to have such good people putting a public face to our organization in the community. FWP Volunteer ActivitiesStaffing the table at the Farmers Market Marching in the 4th of July parade Helping with the FWP annual meeting Helping with sample collection for pond CB testing Helping with IT and tech issues Swimming in the Swim for Life at Great Pond Participating in the Education Committee And writing articles for FWP newsletters Each volunteer plays an important role in supporting our goals, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their involvement and passion for the ponds. Year round, we let you know about volunteer opportunities through the FWP E-Newsletter, and from June to September you can catch up on volunteer opportunities and pond news by finding us at the Wellfleet Farmers Market. The 411 on Septic SystemsIf you are familiar with the three points of the Friends of Wellfleet Ponds Pond Pledge, you know the third is a pledge to care for and service septic systems regularly. But what exactly does that mean? A septic system manages sewage from homes and buildings that are not connected to a public system. Septic systems consist of underground wastewater treatment structures that use a combination of natural and technological processes to treat wastewater from household plumbing, including toilets, showers, kitchen sinks, other drains, and washing machines. Elements of a Septic SystemA typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a drain field. The septic tank digests organic matter with the aid of microbes that are naturally present in water, separating floatable matter (e.g., oils and grease) and solids from wastewater. Naturally occurring populations of anaerobic bacteria (which do not require oxygen) digest organic waste, turning complex solids into liquids and gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide. In conventional, or soil-based septic systems, the liquid (known as effluent) is discharged from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a leach field, chambers, or other special units that slowly release the effluent into the soil. This area is known as the drainfield. Alternative systems use pumps or gravity to help septic tank effluent trickle through sand, organic matter (e.g., peat and sawdust), constructed wetlands, or other media to remove or neutralize pollutants like disease-causing pathogens, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants. Some alternative systems are designed to evaporate wastewater or disinfect it before it is discharged to the soil.  Taking care of your septic systemYou can help care for our Wellfleet ponds by caring for your septic system. MassDEP recommends that systems be pumped at least once every 3 years for homes that do not have a garbage disposal. If the home has a garbage disposal, the septic tank should be pumped every year. The anaerobic bacteria and other beneficial microbes present in a septic tank are a crucial part of waste treatment. It is important to choose and use septic or eco-safe soaps and cleaners to prevent the destruction of these beneficial bacteria. Use products labelled “septic-safe”, chlorine-free”, or “non-toxic”. Avoid using bleach-based products (e.g., conventional toilet bowl cleaners), as well as “anti-bacterial”, “disinfectant”, and “sanitizing” soaps whenever possible. Septic-friendly cleaners include those that contain biodegradable products and green ingredients (which do not contain petroleum-based solvents). Look for products with the EPA’s “Safer Choice” designation. Distilled white vinegar, baking soda, Epsom salt, and lemon juice/water are natural and effective cleaning agents that are septic-safe. Borax is also safe for septic systems (1/2 cup of borax in one gallon of water is an effective cleaning agent).  Here are links to informative resources: How septic systems work: https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-septic-systems-work Caring for your septic system: https://www.mass.gov/guides/caring-for-your-septic-system What's safe for your septic system: https://www.septiccheck.com/post/from-toilet-paper-to-cleaners-what-s-safe-for-your-septic-system Septic safe cleaning products: https://www.thespruce.com/the-best-septic-safe-household-cleaning-products-4175069 Pond friendly products:  Buried Treasure on Gull Pond? Eaton’s Beach, Gull Pond (Photo courtesy of the Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum) In The Cape Cod Pilot*, one of 400 tour guides produced by the FWP (the other FWP, the Federal Writers Project), Jeremiah Diggs (aka Josef Berger) tells a story of looted gold from the 1717 ship-wreck of the Whidah Gally. Captained by pirate Samuel Bellamy, the Whydah was, according to Wikipedia, “the only fully authenticated Golden Age pirate shipwreck ever discovered.” In his 1937 account Diggs repeats what he calls a Wellfleet legend of two men searching for a pot of gold from the wreck, which they thought was buried on the shore of Gull Pond. Setting his readers up for a fairy-tale account, Diggs describes Gull Pond as “a great green-rimmed cauldron of silver with a sheen beyond the powers of all the smiths of India.” On the pond, near Ben Eaton’s house, “two red-coated strangers” tied up their horses, consulted a chart, and dug a hole in the sand. The witness, and presumably the source for the story, was a young girl nervously peeking through the window of her house. The account, Diggs wrote, had come down “through generations of folks at Gull Pond, which was something closer to a wilderness then.” He concludes that the tale he was told “never reveals whether the strangers really found and took away the gold.” Maybe it’s still there. *Diggs, Jeremiah. The Cape Cod Pilot: A Loquacious Guide. Federal Writers Project W.P.A., Modern Pilgrim Press. 1937. Pond MemoriesLearning to Swim at Gull and Great Ponds  The profound influence of learning to swim at Gull Pond is seen across generations in Dawn H.’s family. In the late 1960s, Dawn H. and her sister Karen took swimming lessons at Gull Ponds from the three Foote Siblings, Jackie, Amy, and Greg. They advanced to lifesaving classes, and Karen then moved on to teach lessons, while Dawn volunteered when not working at the Yum Yum Tree, a restaurant that occupied the space where the current Wellfleet Police and Fire Stations are now. Several decades later, Dawn’s four children learned how to swim at Gull Pond as well. Her oldest child, Spencer, moved on to teaching swimming lessons himself. Both Karen and Spencer went on to teach swimming lessons at local YMCAs. For many years, Karen continued to oversee and teach lifeguards. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until Dawn's grandchildren take their first swimming lesson at Gull Pond. “Great Pond was where I learned to swim,” says Holly L. “The Schmidt family from Holliston had a summer house on our road. They had 7 kids, and our family had 8. My parents had a seasonal restaurant in Ptown in the 1960’s, so my older siblings were all working there. My mom hired many of the Schmidt kids to babysit for us. Their Mom, Florence, would take us to Great Pond. I have vivid memories of her holding me as I attempted to float. Back then, there were strict rules about waiting a half hour after eating before you could go back in…which was torture!" "The beach had a lot more shore, forming a semi-circle that allowed the locals to get further away from the tourists, who would just plunk at the bottom of the path. Cars parked along the winding road, as there wasn’t any parking lot. We had sandy paths for access from the road…no stairs yet. When we were in our early teens, we’d ride our 10-speed bikes to the pond, whizzing down the road without a care in the world, with our arms spread out like we were flying!” FWP ACTIVITIESPond Presentation at Wellfleet Public Library FWP Board members Sharon and Gary Kreamer presented “Our Wild and Wonderful Wellfleet Ponds Through Time,” to a large and enthusiastic audience at the Wellfleet Public Library on August 19th. The Wellfleet Historical Society sponsored the event. - - -  Sharon Kreamer stumps the crowd with her Name that Wellfleet Pond quiz. Swim for Life at Great Pond  FWP Team swimmers Manuel Chinchilla, Andy Freilich, and Sara Rimer at S4L at Great Pond For the first time an FWP team participated in the annual Swim4Life held on September 12th at Great Pond. Expanding from its original Provincetown Harbor venue to include the Gull Pond swim, Swim4Life celebrates our community “as one that not only cares about our local health and well-being, but also about Planet Earth, which faces unparalleled environmental challenges.” FWP was honored to be among the organizations benefitting from the swim.  Upcoming EventsEnjoy Wellfleet OysterFest! October 17 and 18 State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference The 2026 State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference will take place Saturday, November 14, from 8:45 am to 1:00 pm at the Nauset Regional High School, 100 Cable Rd, Eastham, MA. “The 2026 State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference returns for its 24th year, offering an opportunity to learn about the latest research, monitoring efforts, and emerging issues affecting Wellfleet Harbor and the surrounding ecosystem.” For more information on conference presentations and sponsors, and to register, go to Mass Audubon at: Annual Harvest Market  Visit the FWP table at the Wellfleet Farmers Market’s Harvest Market on Sunday, November 22nd at Wellfleet Preservation Hall. Check out the FWP merch! Send Questions, Suggestions and Comments to info@wellfleetponds.org With your help, we can preserve Find FWP on Instagram  or by mail to Friends of Wellfleet Ponds is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax-deductible donations are welcome.  |
