Day Mill Pond – Satellite Water Bodies in Our Watershed Part 2

The 7-acre, 3-foot deep Day Mill Pond lies west of the west end of Little Glen Lake and is easily observed from M109 highway. Hydrologically, it is connected most of the time by a 3-foot diameter culvert and a small, slow-flowing creek that empties into Little Glen. Beaver have been known to plug up the culvert in an attempt to flood the pond and raise the water level.  

During the summer, the entire surface of the pond is choked off by the ever increasing number of pond lilies that have expanded over the past decade. Also, the shoreline is surrounded by an ever expanding population of cattails, which can be thought of as shoreline building plants. In time, the progressive growth of the cattails toward the center of the pond—building land behind them—will be complete and the pond will become a cattail swamp. Maybe in the next 40 to 50 years, if nature has her way, this pond will cease to exist!

Historically, the pond was better connected to Little Glen prior to the building of M109. The national park has in its long-range plans to replace the culvert with a box culvert and bridge that would go under the highway. An environmental assessment has been completed and the timetable for construction has yet to be set. Public hearings and financial backing would need to happen before any construction.

Because the pond is surrounded by National Park Service boundaries, there are no riparians on the pond and it is a haven for spring and fall migrants. Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck, scaup, mallards, geese, swans, grebes, American Coot, Green Herons, Sandhill Cranes, and even a common egret can be observed. The pond is also  the home of the less common Blandings turtle. In the spring, there are lots of migrating song birds— mostly warblers of all kinds that make this a special place in our watershed. Muskrats, raccoon, deer, mink, and beaver can be seen during the non-winter months.  

Now you can visit area lakes and ponds with a greater appreciation for their character and at the same time, be rewarded for what nature may have in store for your viewing pleasure.