Restoring and preserving
Craigville waterways
Latest News
Annual Appeal Campaign
As we reflect on the progress made in the past year, we are deeply grateful for the support and generosity of our community. With your help, the Red Lily Pond Project Association has been able to continue its vital work in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our ponds. However, there is still much to be done, and we need your support more than ever to ensure the sustainability of this important endeavor.
Over the past year, we have accomplished significant milestones, including:
Clearing overgrown vegetation from Lake Elizabeth and Red Lily Pond with over 30,000 pounds of vegetation removed.
Installing the first Benthic Barrier in Lake Elizabeth, with its effectiveness clearly visible.
Removal of phragmites from the entire herring run from the marsh to Lake Elizabeth, to ensure overgrowth doesn’t choke the stream and block herring from spawning. 60 huge bags of phragmites were removed.
Pruning and removal of invasive plant species from the embankment of Lake Elizabeth.
Providing events for the community that are educational and social bringing people together to support our work, learn more about the special environment in which we live, and to have a good time together.
Biological Assessment Study Conducted in October 2024
TRC was contracted by RLPPA to conduct a one-day biological assessment of Red Lily Pond and Lake Elizabeth in October. The biological assessment was focused on the mapping of aquatic vegetation, although fish and wildlife were also noted through incidental observation.
Phragmite Cutting - August 2024
Phragmites are an aggressive invasive plant species that is clogging marshes, lakes, and waterways. Red Lily Pond Project Association is committed to keeping the Craigville herring run open and clear by removing them annually.
Macrophyte Cutting and Removal - July 2024
This project is one of several undertaken by the Red Lily Pond Project Association to improve and enhance the health and beauty of our ponds.
Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers!
Benthic Barrier Installed in Februrary 2024
RLPPA purchased a benthic barrier product called a “Lake Blanket,” which is laid on the bottom of the lake and held in place by rebar which is placed in slots to hold the blanket at the bottom. If the first use of a benthic barrier is effective, we will plan for additional approvals from the Conservation Commission to cover more areas of the ponds in 2025 where macrophytes have been removed.
The first section of the benthic barrier, was placed into very frigid waters in February. A series of connected 10 foot wide barriers with a total length of 240 feet were placed over a portion of the area that was cleared in July 2023 to prevent regrowth in part of the area where we cut and removed macrophytes. The barrier will cover an area basically from the point where the new dock was installed, headed north but not reaching the sandy beach, constituting about 1% coverage of Lake Elizabeth.
State of the Craigville Ponds October 2023
Learn about recent good news for the future of the Craigville ponds, dam, and fish ladder. The webinar will provide more details on the specific plans for each project, the project team working with the Town of Barnstable Department of Public Works, the anticipated timing for construction, and funding.