Box Pond

Box Pond is a shallow, 43 acres impoundment located within the upper reach of the Charles River, where it changes course from a southerly to an easterly direction. The pond was created circa 1953 when a dam was erected for use in operating a saw mill which cut planks for the manufacture of boxes (Partridge, 1919). The pond is located near the Mendon/Bellingham town line, but its watershed drains land located in five other municipalities. Sixty percent (60%) of the watershed lies in Milford. Downstream from Cedar Swamp Pond, the Milford segment of the river receives stormwater discharges from dense residential areas and industrial sites, as well as industrial wastewater discharges. The Milford wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located 1.4 miles upstream from Box Pond has discharged to the river since 1906. Prior to its 1987 upgrade, the WWTP discharged high concentrations of total phosphorus and ammonia to the river. Three sewer overflows, located in Milford upstream from the WWTP, have been documented by DWPC as pollutant sources. The water quality of the pond is also impacted by runoff from an auto salvage yard located along its shoreline, near the Mendon/Bellingham town line. Historically, the pond has been impacted by groundwater discharges to one of its tributaries from a hazardous waste site (Benzenoid Organics).

Currently, the water quality of the pond is severely degraded. The aesthetic quality is poor and its recreational utility has nearly been eliminated. Plant growth is so dense that boating is nearly impossible.  Swimming should not be attempted for public health reasons. Even the limited shoreline fishing is impacted by this plant growth. Despite all of these water quality impacts to Box Pond, the Box Pond Association has encouraged participation in seeking to restore the pond. An annual bass fishing tournament, sponsored by the Association, was begun in 1988.  A small parcel of land, containing 100 feet of pond shoreline, was donated to the Town in 1986 as a public access. This allowed the Bellingham Conservation Commission to receive funds from the Clean Lakes Program to complete a year-round Diagnostic/Feasibility Study of this public pond.  The results of this study was conducted by Gale Associates, Inc.

https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-18152207/documents/f21aca5de4884d23a2ff34a7b5d7b47b/BoxPond-DiagnosticFeasibilityStudy.pdf