10 Hemingway Drive, 2nd Floor
East Providence, Rhode Island 02915
p 401.434.5560 f 401.434.8158
www.essgroup.com
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Delia Kaye
Matt Ladewig
DATE:
ESS PROJECT NO.:
6/17/14
C596-000
White Pond: draft biological assessment section for your review
COPY TO:
Biological Assessment
Algae and Macrophytes
Primary productivity in White Pond appears to be predominantly algae driven. In particular, planktonic
algae (phytoplankton) form a distinct lens near the thermocline in the late spring and summer. Although
prior observations by pond residents and visitors provide anecdotal evidence of this lens possibly rising to
the surface and forming a mat or scum, this phenomenon was not observed during the current study.
Patches of filamentous green algae (Chlorophyceae) were observed growing on coarse detritus in
sheltered shoreline areas.
Aquatic macrophytes in White Pond were restricted almost entirely to narrow strips along shallow
shoreline areas. In these areas, only two low-growing native taxa, including Eleocharis sp. and Gratiola
aurea were encountered. Although these taxa can locally form dense mats of growth, neither is
considered to be problematic from an ecological or recreational point of view.
Although not explicitly encountered during our survey work, two rare plants are associated with Priority
Habitat designated by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program as
occurring in and adjacent to White Pond.
No exotic invasive macrophyte species were encountered in White Pond.
Fish
Coldwater fish habitat currently comprises about 16 percent of the total volume of White Pond during the
late summer months, when it is restricted to oxygen-rich areas at or below the thermocline. Warmwater
fish habitat is dominated by open water over sand or gravel bottom. Cover is limited to occasional
submerged logs or boulders, smaller organic debris and manmade features such as docks, swimming
platforms and moorings. Aquatic macrophyte growth provides minimal additional cover, primarily for small
or young-of-the-year fish.
ESS directly observed golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss),
brown trout (Salmo trutta), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and sunfish (Lepomis spp.) at White
Pond over the course of multiple field visits (Table X). Prior data from multiple Massachusetts Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife surveys suggest a more species-rich fish community that includes several warm
and coldwater species.
© 2014 ESS Group, Inc.
document1
Ms. Delia Kaye
June 17, 2014
Table X. Fish Observed at White Pond, 1911 to Present.
Year
Common
Name
Black Crappie
Bluegill
Brook Trout
Brown
Bullhead
Brown Trout
Chain Pickerel
Creek
Chubsucker
Golden Shiner
Largemouth
Bass
Pumpkinseed
Rainbow
Trout
Rock Bass
Smallmouth
Bass
Yellow Perch
Scientific Name
1911
Pomoxis
nigromaculatus
Lepomis
macrochirus
Salvelinus
fontinalis
Ameirus
nebulosus
Salmo trutta
Esox niger
Emyzon
oblongus
Notemigonus
crysoleucas
Micropterus
salmoides
Lepomis
gibbosus
Oncorhynchus
mykiss
Ambloplites
rupestris
Micropterus
dolomieu
Perca flavescens
1953
(recl. in
fall)
1954
1955
1958
(recl.
in fall)
1982
1993
2013/2014
X
X
X
X
C
C
C
X
R
R
C
X
C
R
X
X
X
R
X
X
X
D
C
C
X
X
X
X
X
R
X
C
C
X
X
C
R
X
X
C
C-R
R
R
R
X
D
D=dominant, C=common, R=rare, X=present (no abundance data available)
Include sources
Other Species
A number of other wildlife species were directly observed by ESS using the pond or immediate shoreline
areas (Table X). Most of these are regionally common woodland and pond species. The only state-listed
species observed was Bald Eagle. However, this observation was a solitary individual in the late autumn.
We are not aware of White Pond or its watershed being used as a winter roosting or breeding site for
Bald Eagle.
Table X. Other Wildlife Observed at White Pond
Group
Avifauna
© 2011 ESS Group, Inc.
Common Name
American Crow
American Robin
Bald Eagle
(non-breeding)
Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Turdus migratorius
Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Icterus galbula
document1
Ms. Delia Kaye
June 17, 2014
Group
Common Name
Barn Swallow
Belted Kingfisher
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-throated Green Warbler
(non-breeding)
Canada Goose
Chimney Swift
Chipping Sparrow
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Great Blue Heron
Herring Gull
(non-breeding)
Mallard
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
(non-breeding)
Spotted Sandpiper
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Yellow Warbler
Green Frog
Herpetofauna Wood Frog
Painted Turtle
Scientific Name
Hirundo rustica
Megaceryle alcyon
Poecile atricapillus
Dendroica virens
Branta canadensis
Chaetura pelagica
Spizella passerina
Tyrannus tyrannus
Sayornis phoebe
Ardea herodias
Larus argentatus
Anas platyrhynchos
Pandion haliaetus
Buteo jamaicensis
Larus delawarensis
Actitis macularius
Baeolophus bicolor
Sitta carolinensis
Dendroica petechia
Rana clamitans
Rana sylvatica
Chrysemys picta
Upland Invasive Plants
Reconnaissance of upland portions of the watershed over multiple visits generated a modest number of
exotic plant species, most of which are common regionally (Table X). This list focuses primarily on woody
species. Additional herbaceous species, including woodland invasives such as garlic mustard (Alliaria
petiolata), are likely to be present in the watershed.
Table X. Upland Invasive Plant Species Observed in the White Pond Watershed
Common Name
Scientific Name
Abundance
Areas Observed
Autumn Olive
Eleagnus umbellata
Common
Borders of
agricultural lands
and roadsides
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Rare
Escaped from
adjacent residential
© 2011 ESS Group, Inc.
document1
Ms. Delia Kaye
June 17, 2014
Common Name
Scientific Name
Abundance
Areas Observed
gardens
Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Occasional
Understory of
disturbed woodland
edges
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
Common
Borders of
agricultural lands
and roadsides
Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
Common
Along public access
road and disturbed
woodland edges
Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Common
Along public access
road and disturbed
woodland edges
Periwinkle
Vinca minor
Rare
Escaped from
adjacent residential
gardens
© 2011 ESS Group, Inc.
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