Dredge Puffer's Pond

Dredging a pond can be quite destructive on the surrounding wildlife and environment as the pond needs to have its water’s lowered and heavy machinery and equipment needs to be brought in. The process of removing sediments and shipping them away is also a costly process. The decision to dredge a pond rests as on the immediacy of the problem and what the pond is used for. As Puffer’s Pond is a communal area for swimming, fishing and nature-walking these factors must be considered. Without dredging, the pond will continue to accumulate sediments and it will develop characteristics of a marsh. The increase in sediment will also increase the rate of plant growth in the pond and decrease fish habitat. The higher levels of sediment will also exacerbate the problem of nutrient loading from runoff which promotes plant and algae growth. Because of how the pond is used, it makes sense to dredge after sediment levels have accumulated to large levels, but the town should consider the impact this will have on the surrounding ecosystem and may want to consider an ecological impact study to ensure no endangered species depend on the pond or surrounding environment which may need to be rebuilt after the dredging process.