The Town of Abington is pleased to share the 2025 Year-End Report on the health and management of Abington's Crown Jewel, Island Grove Pond. The report, prepared by Water & Wetland, outlines this year’s monitoring efforts, vegetation treatments, and water quality findings for the 32-acre pond, which continues to be one of Abington’s most treasured natural spaces.
Overview of This Year’s Work
Throughout 2025, the Town’s contracted aquatic biologists completed four planned site visits to monitor conditions, track vegetation growth, and administer targeted treatments for invasive species.
Their work focused on managing three invasive plant species, Variable milfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, and fanwort, that have historically impacted Island Grove:
Each visit included plant surveys, dissolved oxygen and temperature readings, Secchi disk clarity measurements, and shoreline observations.
Key Findings From the 2025 Season
The Year-End Report highlights that Island Grove Pond remained in generally excellent condition throughout 2025. Notable takeaways include:
Effective Invasive Species Control
A June herbicide treatment successfully reduced variable milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed across the pond.
Fanwort also declined after treatment, though scattered patches persisted along the western shore and southeastern cove later in the season.
Healthy Water Quality
Dissolved oxygen levels remained within healthy ranges during all monitoring visits.
Water clarity fluctuated throughout the summer, influenced mainly by warm temperatures and natural tannins.
Native Vegetation Trends
Waterlilies continued to be dense in parts of the northern and northeastern coves. While native and beneficial, their coverage will be monitored in 2026 to ensure they do not become overly dominant.
No Adverse Impacts Observed:
No water quality issues, harmful algae blooms, or fish stress indicators were observed during the season.
Recommendations for 2026
Water & Wetland recommends continuing a monitoring-first approach similar to the 2024 and 2025 programs. Their 2026 guidance includes:
Ongoing surveys to quickly identify regrowth of fanwort, milfoil, and curly-leaf pondweed
Targeted spring and summer treatments where necessary, rather than broad whole-pond applications
Continued observation of waterlily density in northern coves
Monitoring of algae and clarity during mid-summer
Continued protection of natural shoreline buffers and encouragement of low-impact yard practices among abutters
Access the Full Report
Residents are encouraged to read the full 2025 Island Grove Pond Year-End Report for additional detail.