About the Ponds

Canoe Pond and Upper Mill Pond were formed at the end of the last ice age about 11,700 years ago. The ponds -- known as "kettle ponds" -- were formed when large lumps of ice that fell off a retreating glacier formed depressions which then filled with melting ice and rain. There are 76 kettle ponds located in Brewster, Massachusetts.

Upper Mill Pond is approximately 257.4 acres and has a maximum depth of 29 feet. The fish population for Upper Mill Pond includes Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Yellow and White Perch, and Brown Bullhead. Residents may moor their small craft -- kayaks, canoes, sailboats -- at Upper Mill Pond with a permit issued by the Town of Brewster (https://brewster-ma.gov/departments-mainmenu-26/natural-resources-mainmenu-98).

Canoe Pond is approximately 14 acres and has a maximum depth of 13 feet. Although small, Canoe Pond is still considered a Great Pond under state regulations. Water quality of Canoe Pond has greatly improved with the introduction of the aeration system that pumps oxygen into the pond. You can learn more about the aerator project by reading the History of the Canoe Pond Aeration Project below.

Preserving Our Ponds

CPVA follows the work of a number of Cape-based organizations devoted to preserving and restoring Cape Cod's habitats and natural resources, including its kettle ponds. Please visit the following organizations to learn more about their work:

Brewster Ponds Coalition: www.brewsterponds.org

Association to Preserve Cape Cod: https://www.apcc.org

The Association to Preserve Cape Cod, in partnership with other organizations, has been monitoring various Cape Cod ponds, including Upper Mill Pond, for cyanobacteria contamination, sometimes called "algae bloom". Access their interactive map here to get their most recent readings for Upper Mill Pond.

Click on documents below to see the most recent water quality reports for Upper Mill Pond from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod as well as a history of the aeration project on Canoe Pond.