Lake Management

It is all about the water! The water quality of Big Pond and its ability to sustain recreational activities like swimming, boating, fishing and water sports as well as provide quality wildlife habitat is vitally important to each of us. We are extremely fortunate that Big Pond is among the healthier lakes in the region. The Big Pond Association with your help has pledged to do everything in its power to maintain and preserve this lake for future generations.

Diagnostic/Feasibility Study

Big Pond was the fortunate recieptient of a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to conduct a Diagnostic and Feasibility Study. ESS Group, Inc. (ESS) was contracted to perform an intensive examination of Big Pond and its watershed. The field assessment portion of the study was initiated during the late spring of 2004 and concluded during late fall of 2004. This work served to satisfy the community’s desire to gain an understanding of the potential threats to the pond as well as to provide data to the state that may help to re-classify Big Pond on the state’s Integrated List of Waters. The final report provides an assessment of the current water quality condition of Big Pond and its watershed as well as recommendations to improve / preserve the lake for future generations.

Water Quality Monitoring

The Big Pond Association maintains a water-testing program to make certain that the quality of the water in the watershed area remains high. With this program the BPA can help to react early to any potential threat to the water quality if readings indicate the need.

More Info on Zebra Mussels

The threat of Zebra Mussels hit close to home in the summer of 2010 when they were first spotted in the Berkshires. Before then they had been located in Upstate NY and CT and regretably it was just a matter of time. There are currently to treatment programs available for lakes with Zebra Mussels, thus making their threat even larger. Below is a list of local and state resources with more information on how to prevent the spread of Zebra Mussels as well as how to spot them.

  • Zebra Mussel Brochure courtesy of Onota Lake

  • Massachusetts DCR Lake and Pond Program Info on Zebra Mussels

  • Massachusetts Zebra Mussell Interim Action Plan

  • LAPA-West video on Zebra Mussels

    • Weed Watcher Program

    The number one problem facing lakes and ponds is the introduction of non-native invasive plants and animals. These invaders, such as Eurasian Milfoil and Zebra Mussels have ruined many bodies of water by reproducing unchecked to the point that recreational opportunities are limited at best. Big Pond has been extremely lucky to this point to have avoided the proliferation of invasive plants that have plagued most every other lake in the region. The Big Pond Association is making every effort to continue this trend. The Big Pond Association has been a charter member of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Weed Watcher program since 2002. Several times during the summer trained members check various strategic areas of the lake for any non-native invasive plants.

    The Big Pond Association is a member of LAPA West (Lakes and Ponds Association of Western Massachusetts). LAPA West is an organization dedicated to protecting lakes against invasive species.  LAPA West sponsors a number of educational events, including an annual symposium which brings representatives from other lakes together.