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Board discusses Madaket Ditch dredging to restore herring and eel runs; last full dredge was 1985
Summary
Members discussed adding Madaket Ditch dredging to the harbor plan to reestablish herring and eel runs in Long Pond and Madaket; participants cited heavy sedimentation, local reports of degraded flow, a 1985 permited dredge as the last major work and SMAS recommendations supporting dredging.
Board members on June 3 discussed inclusion of Madaket Ditch dredging in the harbor plan to restore tidal flow into Long Pond and improve herring and eel runs.
The board chair said the board submitted language to the harbor‑plan team (Urban Harbors Institute) to insert a recommendation to reestablish eel and herring runs through targeted dredging. Dave and other members recounted that the last permitted dredging of Hither Creek and the ditch was in 1985 and that the ditch and tidal channels have since accumulated substantial sand and sediment.
Members described two particularly sedimented areas — near a boatyard at the Third Bridge and at the First Bridge head — and linked recent road work and lack of a Cape Cod berm to increased sediment delivery. Board member Mister Anderson described seeing oil sheens and other signs of pollution in Long Pond and said restoring flow would help “refresh” pond water.
On the question of opening the pond directly to the ocean, staff and other members said a permit exists that could allow opening but warned of technical constraints: opening a pond to the ocean could create opposing tidal flows and the width of beach that would need excavation would be prohibitive. A referenced SMAS report includes dredging as a recommendation; participants said grant funding may be available at the state level for herring‑run improvements.
Next steps: the board will keep the item in the harbor plan and continue to advocate for dredging and funding; members asked the harbor‑plan team to include the dredge language and to track permitting implications. No formal vote or permit application was taken at this meeting.
