Here’s a pond in Cataumet, at the juncture of the Otis Rotary and the entrance to Joint Base Cape Cod. It’s a nameless pond, but not so small that it should be. In the summer it fills with water lily pads, and reeds, but in the winter, it freezes, presumably because it’s not very deep. But the best time to visit it is right now [in March], when the ice is colliding with the warming air of spring and this beautiful mist rises from the surface.

Unfortunately, since 9/11 the military has made it nearly impossible to get to the pond with a big iron fence, even though it’s right there at the corner, no big obstacles or long hikes to get to it.

Emily L. Ferguson, Photographer

Got a Pond Story you want to share? Email Kristin Andres [email protected]

Pond Stories are a collection of writings from Cape Codders and visitors who love the 1000 local ponds that dot the Cape. We hope this collection of stories, that are as much endearing as they are environmentally aware, will awaken your inner environmentalist to think deeper about our human impacts to these unique bodies of water.
Check out these valuable resources to learn more about the current challenges Cape Cod ponds are facing and how you can be a better pond steward in your town.