The Town of Lakeville Herring Fisheries Commission discussed changes to pond levels and fish-ladder access at its April 9 meeting, reporting that Totten Water Department staff removed a board from the fish ladder and may adjust additional boards if rain increases water levels.

Commission members described a continued low-water condition in the watershed but said pond levels have risen slightly in the past week. One commission member reported measuring about 10 feet from their wall to the waterline and said local rain gauges showed the lakeside reading at about 2.6 and the riverside near 1.0. The member said the Commission will monitor the situation alongside Totten staff as spring rain arrives.

Why it matters: the herring run depends on sufficient flow and ladder opening for fish to migrate from the pond to upstream spawning areas. Commissioners said reduced flow and some boards placed in the ladder for water conservation have narrowed the passage and could impede fish movement.

Commission members said they spoke with Jody at the Taunton Water Department, who had removed one of the ladder boards on Bay 1 to balance water conservation and fish access. Commission members and Totten staff later discussed whether to remove additional boards if forecast rain raises pond levels.

Nick, Totten Water Department staff, told the commission that when he removed the first board “there was so much flow going into it that it was disturbing the water, it was kicking up rocks and whatever, and he figured it would keep the herring from accessing the herring run.” The commission then discussed alternatives for which ladder bays to open; one suggestion was to open bays 3 or 4 to allow fish access while still conserving water elsewhere.

Commission members reported variable herring counts at different monitoring points. One member said counts at the counting board and under the bridge were “thick with fish” in some stretches but that other spots appeared thin, possibly because of recent cold nights and fluctuating temperatures. The commission expects short-term changes depending on rain over the coming days.

Commission members also noted maintenance needs along the run, including tree and rock clearing near the Wareham Street ladder and the condition of the installed ladder boards. They advised coordinating any hands-on work with the town Department of Public Works (DPW) and with Totten/ Taunton water staff because some structures and canal control boards are managed by town water authorities.

The commission did not take a formal vote on ladder changes during the meeting; members described ongoing coordination with Totten Water Department staff and said they would reassess after the weekend’s weather.

The commission scheduled continued field observations as part of routine monitoring and asked staff and volunteers to report counts and any changes in ladder configuration so the group can follow up at future meetings.