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Residents urge action after early cyanobacteria indicators at West Reservoir; commission to consider hearing
Summary
Public commenter linked West Reservoir cyanobacteria signs to changes in cranberry bog operations and higher, more stagnant water levels and asked the commission to schedule a public hearing to review reservoir management and water‑quality remedies.
Harwich Conservation Commission members heard public concern June 17 about early signs of a cyanobacteria (blue‑green algae) bloom at West Reservoir and a broader pattern of bacteria test failures across the region.
Staff reported early, spotty indicators of algal growth and noted the health department has issued advisories and was retesting sites. The commission said it would monitor testing results and community alerts while coordinating with the health department.
During public comment, long‑time resident and local landowner Allan Hall described historical cranberry bog operations that previously drew down reservoir water multiple times each year to flood bogs for harvest and management. Hall argued that stopping that regular drawdown and allowing water to remain higher and more stagnant has increased sediment and organic buildup and contributed to nutrient loading that favors cyanobacterial growth. He said the reservoir’s inlet flume is often underwater now and that vegetation has encroached into channels that historically moved water downstream.
"…that reservoir is not functioning the way it was designed and that's the big problem you got there," Hall told the commission, and he urged the town to consider targeted management actions such as controlled drawdowns and sediment removal rather than expensive studies alone.
Commissioners listened but said that any formal policy or management action would require a separate agenda item and public hearing so that experts, health officials and other stakeholders could participate. Staff and commissioners asked the health department for updated test results and said they would follow up; commissioners also suggested including the town's natural resources and health officials and any relevant water‑rights holders in future conversations.
Next steps: staff will monitor retest results, coordinate with the health department and, if warranted, place West Reservoir management on a future meeting agenda for a public hearing with invited technical staff.
