Important Bird Area: Assawompsett Ponds Complex

All of the ponds are public water supply reservoirs for the cities of Taunton and New Bedford. Boating access to the water supply reservoirs is limited to shorefront owners only. Use of woodland roads and trails on the water supply land is allowed pursuant to the 2002 Management Plan, written by Epsilon Associates, following Lakeville's acquisition of Bettys Neck parcels and the Commonwealth's acquisition of conservation restrictions on watershed lands as of June 2002. The shores of the Quittacas Ponds are completely protected, and those of Pocksha and Assawompset are largely protected. Variable Milfoil and Fanwort continue to spread in Long and Pocksha ponds. Purple Loosestrife is well established in the emergent marsh bordering Sampsons Cove (Turner). Treatment for Variable Milfoil and Fanwort has included the use of herbicides, which may pose a threat to nontarget plants and fauna. Potential sources of pollution include shoreline development (nutrients, pesticides), road drainage (Routes 18 and 105), and fallout from the nearby SEMASS incinerator. Sand and gravel processing on Assawompset Neck may threaten ground water quality. If the estimated safe yield of the ponds is exceeded, excessive drawdown could threaten aquatic habitat. Finally, excessive use of Long Pond for personal watercraft operation could threaten the water quality of the pond complex.