Richmond Pond is going off-limits to swimmers, boaters and anglers for a brief stretch this week while crews apply a herbicide to knock back heavy aquatic weed growth. The treatment is scheduled for Thursday, and officials say all recreational use will be suspended through Friday. Using pond water for irrigation will also be restricted until late August, and anyone with questions can call (508) 865-1000.
Official Notice and Dates
According to iBerkshires, Solitude Lake Management issued a public notice saying crews will treat the pond on Thursday and restrict swimming, boating and fishing through Friday. The notice also states that using pond water for irrigation is prohibited until August 29 and that warning posters will be posted around the shoreline.
What’s Being Applied and Why
According to the City of Pittsfield, the plan calls for a whole-pond application of fluridone, to be maintained at about 4 parts per billion for roughly 90 days, in order to suppress Eurasian watermilfoil and other invasive species. The work is being carried out under a MassDEP permit and an Order of Conditions (MassDEP file #263-1241) that requires pre- and post-treatment surveys and protective measures for wildlife and water quality.
How Long the Bans Last and What to Avoid
The Richmond Pond Association and local notices say posters will be left at the public boat launch and at Richmond Town Hall and will remain in place until restrictions are lifted. Residents are asked not to let pets swim in treated water or to use pond water for irrigation, livestock watering, or drinking while the ban is in effect.
Why Managers Chose a Pond-Wide Approach
Richmond Pond is roughly 228 acres, with about 40 percent of its shoreline in Pittsfield, and the basin reaches as deep as 54 feet in spots the city refers to as the “deep hole,” according to the City of Pittsfield. Town officials and pond managers say a mix of past surveys, winter drawdowns and spot treatments led them to pursue a pond-wide fluridone strategy this summer.
Questions and Follow-Up
Residents with questions can call the number on the public notice; Solitude Lake Management’s contact at (508) 865-1000 has been circulated by local outlets, including iBerkshires. For ongoing updates, check the Richmond Pond Association and local town pages for any schedule changes or additional restrictions.
