Friends of Cedar Lake
a 24-acre, spring-fed, freshwater lake in North Falmouth, Massachusetts
We are dedicated to restoring and maintaining the health of Cedar Lake and the adjacent watershed, including a reduction of invasive plants and toxic pollutants for the betterment of ecological resources, health, recreational activities, aesthetics, and property values.
News!
Spring 2024: Notice of Intent has been filed!
The lake management companies we have contracted with, SOLitude and Goddard Consulting, have filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the town. This is a huge step forward! Next, the town has to give its final approval and hopefully we will apply the first dose of herbicide on July 1. Sign up for our newsletter to get all the updates!
August 1, 2023: Lake & Pond Storytime at North Falmouth Public Library
A dozen children and adults joined us at the North Falmouth Library for books and crafts about ponds and lakes, followed by a nature walk down to the lake shore. This event was inspired by Libraries Love Lakes and featured in the August 4 issue of the Falmouth Enterprise.
Summer 2023: Permits and Funding
SOLitude continues to work with the Falmouth Conservation Commission to obtain all the necessary permissions and data for the application of the herbicide. We were disappointed to miss the narrow window of opportunity for this summer, but remain optimistic for the summer of 2024.
young boaters rowing through the lily pads
Spring 2023: Young scientists showcase their study of Cedar Lake.
Oscar, Billy, and Anna Edwards (4th grade, 2nd grade, and Kindergarten, respectively) show off their science projects at the Falmouth Public Schools STEAM Fair in March. They studied invasive plants, the impact of fanwort, and some ways to get rid of fanwort. Great work!
See aerial photographs (one, two) of North Falmouth, including Cedar Lake, in 1950.
(from the Falmouth GIS image repository)
Read Joyce Bock's latest entry in the APCC Pond Stories series.
Winter 2023: Update from SOLitude
We have received the report from SOLitude, the lake management company, with their assessment of Cedar Lake and some proposed solutions. Read it here.
We expect to have more information in the spring or early summer of 2023. In the meantime, the Falmouth Pond Coalition, the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative , and the Cape Cod Ponds Network are organizing a broader approach to freshwater issues.
ice skaters on the frozen lake
our beautiful lake and its creatures
Actions Taken
As of March 1, 2021, Friends of Cedar Lake is an incorporated 501c3 non-profit organization. Initial testing of the water began in the summer 2021 under the auspices of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod.
Inspiration: Pond Stories by APCC, The Turtle Lady (video)
Community Support and Resources
Thanks to the Woods Hole Foundation for supporting our testing program.
The Deep Pond Preservation Project has an excellent collection of resources for those interested in learning about the fresh water ecology of Cape Cod.
In true community spirit, we deeply appreciate the North Falmouth Village Association and use of the Village Junction for our events.
Friends of Cedar Lake is a 501c-3 non-profit organization based in North Falmouth, MA.