The elevation of Edgartown Great Pond (EGP) has been rising steadily since the cut closed in December, 2022. In this plot it is clear that there are 2 different rates of recharge. Phase I is more rapid and then Phase II slows down. When the elevation of EGP reaches 4 feet above mean sea level (MSL), it spills over the sluiceway from EGP into Crax and slows down the rate of recharge of EGP.
Edgartown Shellfish Constable, Rob Morrison, confirmed today, Friday, that Edartown Great Pond will be cut to the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday morning, March 11th, 2023. Salinity remains critically low and the last several pond cuts have not stayed open long enough for a pond-wide flush that decreases nutrient pollution and increases salinity. EGP is 4.3 feet above mean sea level as of this morning. Let’s all hope for an excellent cut and flush of EGP. Effective pond cuts in EGP tend to have at least 9-11 days of tidal cycles to flush the entire pond.
The Town of Edgartown just finished a season of dredging in Edgartown Great Pond. The area north of the “cut” and in the southeast corner of the pond near the sluiceway were both dredged. Dredging increases the effectiveness of openings by maximizing the volume of water that is exchanged during tidal flushes. While a lot of factors come into play when it comes to cut success, both the high pond (4.3 feet above MSL) and the recent dredging increase the odds of a good cut and flush of Edgartown Great Pond.
