Melrose Residents Plan Water Chestnut Ell Pond Cleanup

MELROSE, MA — Melrose community members interested in helping clean up Ell Pond in town will have a chance to do so this weekend when a group of volunteers plan to hand-pull invasive water chestnuts from the pond.

Organized in coordination with the Melrose Conservation Commission, residents will take to the pond in kayaks on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The hand-pulling aims to augment recent work by the city to remove the water chestnuts using a mechanical harvester. That work is part of a multi-year, ongoing initiative.

Water chestnuts are an aquatic plant capable of growing densely while outcompeting native species, as noted in a city notice of intent related to its mechanical harvesting work.

The plants were first documented in Ell Pond several years ago, prompting initial attempts at hand-pulling to manage their spread. While these efforts did slow the water chestnut’s advance, they didn’t eradicate its presence in the pond, according to city filings.

By September of last year, the western and northern coves of the pond were “completely covered” by water chestnut growth. Dense growth was also creeping along sections of the shoreline elsewhere in the pond, according to a city survey.

Hydro-raking to pull up sections of water chestnut growth began earlier this summer. Volunteers are now inviting individuals with access to a kayak to join them on the pond on Saturday to pull up more water chestnuts. Hand-pulling, organizers note, remains necessary.

Those without kayaks are also welcome to help collect the plants at the shore and properly dispose of them.

“If you'd like to help volunteer to preserve the health of Ell Pond for current and future generations, we'd love to have you!” organizers said in an announcement for this weekend’s event.

Those interested in volunteering can fill out a Google Form for the event ahead of time or show up on Saturday morning.