We are committed to conserving our Public Conservation Areas, but that doesn’t mean that they will never change. At the Hand Hollow Conservation Area, the pond by the farm house near the Country Route 9 entrance has disappeared. Update: the pond has reappeared (10/15/2012). Built in the 1950’s, the human-made concrete dam is no longer functioning and the water has drained.
It’s now a lovely mud flat with a stream. Freshwater mussels dot the pond basin and small fish can be seen in the remaining pools. The shore line is dotted with native plants including spotted joe-pye weed, milkweed, and goldenrod. An American bittern, a member of the heron family, was recently seen foraging the upper edge of the mud flat (see video below).
The Hand Hollow Conservation Area still has several water features including Meizinger Lake, streams, marshland, and a string of small beaver ponds.
The dam was on the property when CLC acquired it. We are currently researching the options of repairing it.
The pond is filled again. Branches and grass clippings appear to have built a natural dam that is holding back the water at a similar level as before. Hooray!
This pond was once a great fishery, loaded with yellow perch, largemouth bass and tons of bluegills. It’s a shame to see it go. I sincerely hope efforts to restructure this dam and bring this waterway back are considered.
Thank you for answering my question before it was asked! We local folks are VERY concerned about the Hand Hollow Pond being empty, especially since we have observed the yearly migration, nesting and newborn chicks of many species for more years than we can count. We are hoping to see the dam repaired and the pond re-filled a.s.a.p. If we can help to fundraise to assist in this effort, please contact me at P.A.C.T, 44 Shaker Road, New Lebanon,N.Y 12125 or at the email address given.
Joanna, thanks for the feedback and for the offer of assisting with fundraising. We will take your note into consideration.