Indian Lake
Worcester, MA
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Indian
Lake is a part of the head waters of Blackstone River. It is the largest
body of water located completely within the City of Worcester.
The lake size is 193 acres with a mean depth of about 10.7 feet, with 2 public swim beaches, picnic and recreation areas and 2 public boat ramps.
Originally the size was about 40 acres. In the late 1820's Mill Brook was dammed at Indian Lake to control water for the Blackstone Canal. In the 1840's the lake was used for ice harvesting for local businesses.
The watershed is heavily urbanized. Over the last 50 years development within the watershed has increased dramatically, which has caused water pollution. High phosphorous loading and rapid sedimentation has lead to accelrated eutrophication. This has caused severe impairment in water quality, low dissolved oxygen, nuisance plants, turbidity and organic enrichment.
The Indian Lake Watershed Association [ILWA] was formed in 1985 and now has a membership of 300+. ILWA has been instrumental in getting certain areas sewered, dredging a portion of the lake and has lobbied against land taking for I-190. ILWA also lobbied the City to repair the sewer pumping station on Holden Street and helped with the construction of Morgan Park. ILWA coordinated the stenciling of 1500 storm drains. The association lobbied the City to have a local roadway and a long section of sidewalk paved because they were letting sediment wash into the lake during storm events. ILWA worked with the City to repair a failed septic system at Shore Park. The association has ongoing identification and repair of illicit sanitary/storm drain sewer connections at Salisbury Pond.
The ILWA board meets monthly and the association meets several times per year. It keeps its 300+ members informed with a semiannual newsletter.
ILWA has done monthly water sampling for the last 4 years.
The Lake Management Program was recently awarded a 319 grant of $250,000 which will help prevent, control or abate non-point source pollution. The primary targets are roads and storm drains. The goal is to remove phosphorous loading by 60%
It has taken a herculean task with feverish activity at times to accomplish what has been done in and around Indian Lake.
ILWA is planning a weed replacement program, and further dredging to improve recreational opportunities
MBTF [Mill Brook Task Force] worked with local residents to combat the effects of development. The ILWA and MBTF were awarded a technical assistance grant through the Mass Dept of Fisheries, Wildlife and Evironmental Law Enforcement, Lake Watershed Stewardship Program [MDFWELE].
About 30 residents are involved in being a watchdog to identify potential
problems in the 15+ square miles of watershed. The team brought together
survey volunteer watershed association leaders, conservation committee,
City Council, City DPW, Parks Dept and the Mayor’s Office. This serves
as a great tribute to them and the ILWA and MBTF resolves
to continue to create partnerships.
Click
on the pencil and paper icon to read a more detailed study of Indian Lake
History and Issues.
