Life on the Pond and in Wyoma Square, Lynn

Simply put, Sluice Pond is the best stocked trout pond in Massachusetts. Known for weekend fishing tournaments, the pond springs alive with small boats from early April through the fall. Summer days bring out the boaters and water skiers. These activities give way each evening to the floating patio boats and paddleboats of those in retirement and semi-retirement. They are joined by those enjoying early retirement, others cherishing weekend retirement and our young retirement trainees from age 1 and older. Briarcliff Lodge, offers many options and programs for older members of our community who maintain their independence in their own homes on the pond.

Water will be tested again throughout 2009. In June
our water and the water in Flax Pond was tested and here are the initial results for swimming and fishing season counts in Enteroccocci (a indicator of bacteria at cfu/100ml):

Most experts attribute higher counts to the street run off now that the storm drains have been turned to directly dump into our ponds. Four days prior to the early samples, Mother Nature dropped 1.5 inches of rain on us. Freshwater Enterococci safety is not to exceed 61 cfu/100ml and geometric mean of last five samples not to exceed 33 CFU/100ml). E-Coli recommended level for safety is <240/100 ml

What does this mean for swimming and fishing? From our friends, down at the Cape:

"Indicator organisms, as their name implies, are used to "indicate" the presence of conditions which have the potential to cause illness. Through various studies conducted by Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and others, it has been determined that certain levels of some indicator organisms in bathing beach waters represent a threat to the public health. The indicator organisms assayed for in bathing beach samples that we collect are bacteria called enterococci and E. coli. Enterococcus has proven the most useful bacterial indicator for determining the extent of fecal contamination in marine recreational waters, while E. coli have proven most useful in freshwater situations. An important thing to remember regarding indicator organisms is that, of themselves, they may not be harmful. Rather, since these organisms are found in the intestine of many warm-blooded animals, their presence suggests that other harmful organisms and viruses also in the intestine of warm-blooded animals (including humans) may be present. If these harmful organisms and viruses (called pathogens) are present and are inadvertently ingested while swimming, they may cause a variety of diseases. The good news is that the most common illness is a mild gastroenteritis with flu-like symptomolgy. But even the milder diseases can be problematic to immune-compromised people."

More to come as we try to get assistance from the city, state and federal government to get the proper flood management system installed so that our storm drains do not empty into the fresh water at Sluice Pond.

A daily quietness of wildlife pervades Sluice Pond since jet skis and large motors are banned. The natural sounds of water from duck play on rare occasion is punctuated by a siren or traffic noise reminding Sluice Pond residents that they live in an urban city of almost 100,000 people. The pond offers refuge to area wildlife. Ducks, geese and swans grace the pond with their partners and families while turtles sun and share the waterways with over ten varieties of fish.

Wyoma Square is a small, thriving collection of businesses and eateries within a 15 minute walk from any location on the pond. Several restaurants are also located on the pond and the area boasts about the world's best calzones from the pizza makers of Wyoma Square.This most walkable area of Lynn is only a few minutes by car or bike to the lovely shoreline of Kings Beach for those who crave saltwater sun bathing and beach time.

Others prefer the rugged adventures of hiking and mountain biking in nearby Lynn Woods. The northern coves of Sluice Pond are located just across Rt. 129 from this magnificent urban park. Lynn Woods offers individuals, couples and groups a variety of activities from strenuous adventure hiking and biking to structured sports on the playing fields and playground equipment for toddlers and their parents. The City of Lynn Department of Parks and Recreation as well as Friends of Lynn Woods help to keep this urban treasure clean and safe.