Annual Herring Count - a Spring Project of Red Lily Pond Project
Herring located in annual count
While a small number, the three herring counted in the 2024 season was more than 2023 when only one herring was spotted. Restoring a robust number of herring swimming up the herring run to spawn in Lake Elizabeth is a top priority for the work of RLPPA.
This data is used to support the need to continue a “fish ladder” at the site of the dam that enables herring to enter the lake once they have made it up the herring run itself. Herring enter the run from the Centerville River and come up the stream that runs under the Sandy Lane walk-over, under the 40 steps bridge and through the culvert under Lake Elizabeth Drive
As part of the work of the Red Lily Pond Project Association, the annual herring count for 2024 took place for 10 weeks covering April, May and the first half of June at the site of the Lake Elizabeth dam. Sixteen volunteers ensured that at least 4 counts took place each of the 76 days and conducted a total of 304 individual counts!
Fifteen committed volunteers counted herring in the 2024 season including Linda McKinney, Bill McKinney, Tom Coyle, Ed Deyton, Michael Lyon, Kathleen Brady, Cindy Miselis, Robert Miselis, Valerie Lane, Jim Lane, Skip Orr, Carol Dymek, Georgeann Oates, Dale Oates, and Alison Melavalin.
Volunteering is easy but important. A signup sheet is circulated for each month, a thermometer is provided to measure air and water temps at each count, a “clicker” to count the herring (although our count is small) and a data recording sheet. The counting site is easily accessible just below the dam.
As a volunteer you are part of a team of neighbors and friends. Many “year-round” Craigville residents volunteer each year, as do residents who are here for some limited periods of time during counting season. Many volunteers note that they enjoy the opportunity to be outside and by the stream as spring comes to Craigville and turns to early summer. Any amount of time you can give to this project will make a difference.
Please consider becoming a Herring Count volunteer! Contact Patricia Deyton for more information.
The actual counting involves spending ten minutes at the edge of the dam, measuring the air and water temperature, and watching closely for herring. Data generated is reported to the APCC Herring Count Project which provides individual reports at all counting sites and a collective report.
A full description of the Herring Count Program is available on the website of the Associate to Protect Cape Cod: https://apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/herring/
View Diadromous Fish Updates 2022
Red Lily Pond mentioned on page 26
Here is a link to a board game about herring runs and counts from the Association to Protect Cape Cod. It’s a fun for people of all ages.
https://apcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Boardgame-3-2-18-compressed.pdf