Kip’s Comments - July 19, 2025
An Early Indication?
In front of our cabin on Indian Pond I am seeing something that I hope is nothing, but I cannot be sure.
Over the years the water depth of Indian Pond has changed. Where we used to have boats and skiing and tubes being pulled we now have at least five areas where floating pondweed has become established. Floating pondweed grows in shallow, nearly calm water.
Floating Pondweed - Image 998550
What might this mean? Over time Indian Pond has silted in. The pond is shallow and more often than not the water is calm. Now we have multiple patches of aquatic vegetation that appears to be established. With that vegetation, does the water slow even more resulting in additional silt being deposited? Are we seeing the beginning of the transition of Indian Pond to Indian Marsh? Or might this mean nothing other than plants are growing in Indian Pond? Might we just need higher water levels for the pond to return to normal?
I don’t have any answers at this time, just questions. I will continue to watch the pond.
Not only did I see the floating pondweed today, but I also had many painted turtles posing for me. And, the button bush are about done being in their prime for the summer.
Painted Turtle on Log - Image 998584
Painted Turtle on Log - Image 998657
Painted Turtles on Log - Image 998668
Button Bush - Image 998536
Button Bush - Image 998536highstrucsmo
