96 



construct a better outlet, and clear the ditch of obstructions, 

 the maintenance of which would require annual expenditures. 

 A more satisfactory fishery might be instituted by connecting 

 Great Pond with an arm of Nauset Harbor, where the tides 

 would not interfere with the outlet. 



HERRING RIVER (WELLFLEET). 



Herring River rises in a chain of ponds in the eastern part 

 of the town of Wellfleet, and after a winding 4-mile course 

 between the sand hills, finally empties into Wellfleet Bay. 

 Originally its source was Herring and Higgins ponds, but in 

 1893 a sluiceway was cut between Higgins and Gull ponds, 

 which increased the spawning grounds some 90 acres. 



The partial obstructions in 1920 were the abundant growth 

 of wild rice, the passageway under the King's Highway, and 

 the large dike at the outlet, which at low r tide allows the 

 fresh water to escape into the harbor through an automatic 

 gate. In spite of the swift current during the spring, when the 

 gate is open, the alewives do not seem to experience much 

 trouble in passing through the narrow sluiceway. 



The fishery, located at Bound Brook Island, is sold each 

 year at public auction to the highest bidder, although in 1911 

 the stream was leased for the first time for a three-year period. 

 The Freeman family established the fishery by digging a 

 ditch to Herring Pond, and subsequently, about 1700, gave it 

 to the town of Wellfleet. The years 1888 to 1898 were most 

 lucrative, and in 1893 the high price of $1,035 was paid for 

 the fishery, as compared with $25 in 1911. 



This decline has been largely due to the one-year lease 

 system, which has placed a premium upon its exploitation, 

 and to lack of interest on the part of the town officials. There 

 are no real obstructions present to prevent the alewives having 

 free access to excellent spawning grounds, provided the gate 

 in the dike is tended regularly. What the fishery needs most 

 is careful supervision, freedom from town politics, and a greater 

 number of alewives permitted to reach the spawning grounds. 



