Monponsett Pond - Algae Levels - November 7

Levels are improving with two of the three samples for West Monponsett below the 70,000 mark.

However, we are still at least two weeks away from re-opening the Pond, depending the on the results.

On Monday, November 7th, MassDEP collected water samples from both East and West Monponsett Ponds.  The samples were analyzed by MassDEP on November 9th.  The East Monponsett sample collected at the Rt 36 boat ramp in Halifax showed no cyanobacteria.  The West Monponsett Pond samples showed cyanobacteria levels of 32,000 cells/ml at the 4th Avenue beach, 148,000 cells/ml at the state boat ramp, and 44,000 cells/ml at Ocean Ave beach.  The level at the state boat ramp is above the MDPH guideline of 70,000 cells/ml, while the levels at 4th Avenue beach and Ocean Ave beach are below.  

MDPH recommends that the current advisory remain in place. MassDEP plans on collecting samples again next week. Please let us know if you have any questions.

MDPH recommends that the current advisory closing West Monponsett Pond for recreational use remain in place. East Monponsett Pond remains open. MassDEP plans on collecting samples again next week. Please let us know if you have any questions. More about why the Route 58 boat ramp is open and the Pond closed and the status of treatments for the algae.

Pond levels are lower than normal because Halifax has received very little rain during June (about 1 inch), July (about 1.5 inches), August (again, another 1.5 inches) and September (less than 1 inch as of September 26). According to the United State Drought Monitor, Halifax is located in the region marked "Extreme Drought". The low level of the Pond is not due to the Brockton Water Department diverting water during these three months as they have not diverted during these three months.