It has been months now since West Brook Pond in Oakdale/Great River was completely drained as a result of the dam at its southern end failing. Initially, State Parks reported they expected it to be repaired in a matter of weeks. Since then, there has been a push from some individuals to have the lake revert back to a free-flowing stream as it was over 100 years ago to allow the passage of native brook trout and alewives upstream. Apparently, this has caused State Parks to reconsider their options and there has been no movement on repairing the dam since then.
Although well intentioned, any attempt to establish a brook trout population in these waters borders on ludicrous for a number of reasons. First of all, this waterway has no connection to the headwaters of the Connetquot River or the waters running through Connetquot River State Park Preserve. The pond, and the one above it on the north side of Sunrise Highway, are fed by a small stream that originates in an underground spring a short distance from the pond to the north. To convert what is now a trickle of water in the lake bed into a clear, free-flowing stream would require a major environmental construction project involving the removal of thousands of yards of mud and detritus, the replanting of trees within the 16 acres surrounding the riverbed, and costly planning and consulting fees. It would also deprive thousands of Long Island residents of what has been a valuable and free recreational area. In its current state, the pond is also a safety hazard due to the exposed soft, deep mud bottom which has already resulted in the rescue of at least one person.
Restoring the pond to its original state by repairing the dam will restore its effectiveness as bio-swale that helps contain and breakdown toxic materials that would otherwise flow into the tidal section of the Connetquot River from Sunrise Highway. The pond has also provided important habitat for many amphibians, reptiles and migratory birds, and was home to one of the more vibrant warm water fisheries on Long Island, one of very few in this area, that included largemouth bass, yellow perch and sunfish. It is imperative that this important ecological and recreational body of water be restored to its most recent state by rebuilding the dam as soon as possible. Funding for restocking the pond would come from a state park fund dedicated to improving recreational fishing opportunities within the Long Island State Park system. It is funded by entry fees from fishing tournaments sponsored by State Parks and The Fisherman Magazine. If access to the pond’s waters from the tidal Connetquot for alewives and trout is a concern, construction of a fish ladder would serve that purpose. Allowing alewives access to the pond would also result in an additional food source for the pond’s largemouth bass population.
The state tried unsuccessfully to convert West Brook into a trout water back in the 1960s. As a teenager who fished the lake religiously, I was a witness to that failed attempt, which also included the draining of the pond, and I have no desire to see it repeated. This has been an important fishing area for freshwater anglers from throughout western Suffolk County for many years and it should remain that way.
Please take a few minutes of your time and contact George Gorman, regional director of Long Island state Parks and tell him that you want the dam rebuilt as soon as is realistically possible, and its warm water fishery restored. You can email him at
[email protected] or call regional headquarters at 631-669-1000 and ask for his office. State Senator Phil Boyle has been very supportive of the restoration of the dam and pond. Let him know you support his efforts by calling 631-665-2311. You can also contact Suffolk County legislator Tom Cilmi at 631-854-0940 and ask him to support restoring the pond.
