The Ponds

The two ponds are very different in character; both are historic features with the East Pond conceivably being 800 or so years old. The South Pond appears to have been excavated with down ramps at either end and most of the spoil piled up on the north bank – which is very steep.

The South Pond has regularly dried out in summer – and apparently was dry or nearly so for many years up to 2021. Having dried again in 2022 (when the accumulation of leaf litter was removed) the pond has retained water through to the winter 2024/25.

This pond is heavily overshadowed, mainly by trees growing on Abbey Farm. All the main trees are protected by a TPO.

It is unclear whether the pond will start drying out again, or whether there has been some change in the hydrology so that from now it is a perennial water body. Given this uncertainty, management interventions are minimal, principally focused on safety concerns.

The East Pond used to be much larger – with a diameter of 17 to 20m. However, when housing was built nearby, it was used to dispose of tree trunks and boughs. Some of these remain. During the hot dry summer of 2022, the pond would have dried up but for some emergency excavation down to below the water table. Consequently, the centre of the pond is about 2m deep below winter water levels.

It is likely that over the years the pond’s hydrology has been impacted by the change in land use from arable field (or pasture) to scrub and woodland. On top of this, climate change has resulted in longer growing seasons (when plants transpire water) so reducing the amount going into groundwater and potentially replenishing the pond.

In 2023 the East Pond (as well as the South Pond) was sampled for “environmental DNA” – as shown in the picture. The results are here. There is an ambition to increase the surface area of the pond, but it is likely this is only sensible in combination with other interventions which may include:

  • Reducing the mass of tall trees close to the pond, which may well tap the same groundwater the pond is linked into

  • Forming interceptor drains to channel water to the pond

  • Providing some shading on the south side.

Currently the management regime is focused on the first of these.

Because of the pond’s possible considerable history, any excavation work demands presence of an archaeologist. For minor work, HIAG have supported; the South Cambridgeshire District Council heritage team should be consulted should any major work be contemplated.