The Melrose Messenger

Ell Pond Clean-Ups to Remove Invasive Water Chestnuts Return This Summer

By Ellen Putnam

In July and August, the Melrose Conservation Commission will be holding two volunteer clean-up days at Ell Pond to remove water chestnuts from the pond and protect native plants and wildlife that are threatened by the invasive plants.

Water chestnuts are an invasive species native to Eurasia and Africa that can be found in many local water bodies, including the Charles River, the Mystic River, and our own Ell Pond. Water chestnuts grow rapidly - a single acre of water chestnuts can grow enough in one season to cover 100 acres the following year. They grow so dense that they can block sunlight from reaching below the surface of a pond, and they can also deplete oxygen in a water body, which can kill native plants and fish. They also provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Ingrid Winkler, Melrose’s Conservation Agent, said last year that water chestnuts have been a problem in Ell Pond at least since 2020. In 2022, Melrose began a three-year contract with Solitude Lake Management to remove water chestnuts using a mechanical harvester as well as manual removal in shallower areas of the pond.

The treatment plan, which came to an end last year, was successful at significantly reducing the water chestnut population. However, water chestnut seeds drop to the bottom of the pond before sprouting the following year, making complete eradication challenging. This year, Winkler explained, “hand-pulling should be enough to keep the water chestnuts at bay, but the population can easily explode again if you don’t keep on top of it.”

“The pond still has some water chestnuts that we need to continue to monitor and manage,” reported Conservation Commission member Charlie McCabe, “and we’re hosting these two volunteer events to tackle those this summer.”

For Melrose residents who are concerned about the city’s current financial situation, spending a morning at Ell Pond cleaning up water chestnuts is an easy way to help the city avoid having to spend more money on water chestnut management in future years. “The water chestnuts come up pretty easily,” Winkler said, “You just have to be persistent and try to get them.”

Volunteers who have a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard are encouraged to bring their boat with them. The Conservation Commission also has two kayaks that were donated by Melrose residents that will be available for use. Boaters will head out on the water and scoop up the floating water chestnut plants and dispose of them on land. Volunteers can also help out on the shore by piling up water chestnuts that the boaters have brought back to the shore.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring hats, wear sunscreen, and bring a water bottle and a laundry basket or 5 gallon bucket to hold the harvested water chestnuts.

Sign up for the clean-up events here: July 26th and August 2nd.