Pond Strategies Database
All residents and visitors to Cape Cod have a stake in freshwater pond protection. To help Cape Cod towns, pond organizations, and pond users understand the range of strategies available to protect, manage, and rehabilitate freshwater ponds, the Cape Cod Commission developed a pond-specific strategies database that includes a range of technologies, regulatory and voluntary options, and management approaches.
As there is not just one threat to Cape Cod’s ponds, there is not one simple solution. It is, therefore, important to take a comprehensive approach to addressing pond health, considering possible combinations and scales of complementary strategies. In addition, the solutions come with tradeoffs, so it’s important to consider alternatives and the advantages and disadvantages of all applicable approaches.
Selecting a strategy will also depend on the goal of the pond management effort. In general, all strategies should result in improved water quality. However, the choice of strategy may depend on whether it helps meet other goals for the project, such as maintaining or enhancing pond ecosystem function, recreational uses, fisheries, or aesthetics.
Explore the Strategies
Information on freshwater pond strategies has been compiled in a series of two-page fact sheets, a spreadsheet, and the Strategies Viewer (below) that allows users to sort and filter strategies based on a number of criteria. View the Pond Strategies Fact Sheets and the Pond Strategies Matrix.
Pond Strategies Fact Sheets
Complete Set of Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet Primer
The Fact Sheet Primer serves as a overview or “read me” to help define the content included in each section of the strategy fact sheets.
