Spy Pond
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Located near the heart of Arlington, Massachusetts, Spy Pond lies adjacent to the MinuteMan Bikeway.
Geological history
Fifty thousand years ago, Spy Pond, in its present form, did not exist. Instead, the area of Arlington where Spy Pond now sits was covered by mile deep glaciers. Starting 15,000 year ago, these glaciers began to recede, leaving in their wake a collection of depressions, geological formations called "kettle holes." Water from natural runoff would eventually fill these depressions, making small lakes and ponds throughout the area.
Spy Pond is thus a classic kettlehole pond which was first filled with water from the Wisconsin Glacier which also formed it. Spy Pond is now fed partly by groundwater and partly by surface runoff from the surrounding area. Spy Pond has an average depth of 12 feet (3.7 m) and a maximum depth of 36 feet (11 m).
Cultural history
In more recent times, Mother Batherick, an elderly woman who liked to gather dandelions by the Spy Pond, managed to corral six Revolutionary War Redcoats who were fleeing their captured supply train. In 1850, the Spy Pond Water Company pipes water to West Cambridge. Then, in 1867, West Cambridge is renamed Arlington and the Spy Pond Water Company is renamed the Arlington Lake Company.
During the Civil War the Union Army conducted training at [Camp Sheppard] near Spy Pond and following the war civilian rifle matches were conducted by the Massachusetts Rifle Association from 1875 through 1876 before their move to Woburn, Massachusetts.
More recently, Spy Pond became an industrial center as entrepreneurs sought to harvest the benefits of this natural resource for export. In the winter, Spy Pond became a source for ice, cut into huge blocks for shipping, and pure water for nearby Boston in the summer. Businesses shipped Spy Pond ice as far away as India, installing huge amounts of infrastructure and equipment in the Arlington area in the process. This led to the development of the local railroad and large-scale manufacture of ice tools.
In the 1970s, the Wetland Protection Act Regulations were passed classifying Spy Pond as a Great Pond under Massachusetts law.
Recreation and wildlife
Spy Pond is currently open for recreational activities to the residents of Arlington, MA.
Birds
Bird enthusiasts have tracked the native and migratory bird populations of Spy Pond for a number of years. They report that almost one hundred and twenty species of birds make their home in and along its shores at some point in the year. This list includes list 32 swimmers and 86 non-swimmers.
Fish
Spy Pond is full of fish and has been regularly stocked with additional specimens. Over the years, anglers have reported catching species as diverse as tiger muskie fingerlings, largemouth bass, yellow and white perch, carp, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, golden shiner, alewife, American eel and goldfish.
See also
References
External links
- [Official website]
- [MinuteMan Bikeway]
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