Chain Pond
Chain Pond, which is opposite Earlswood Common on the corner of Pendleton and Somerset Roads, is believed to be a former cart pond created before 1874.
Chain Pond is a small, shallow ephemeral pond, meaning it naturally dries during warmer months and refills with autumn and winter rainfall.
The formation of Chain Pond
Chain Pond relies on rain that falls directly onto the pond and flows off the highway surface and through nearby road gullies. The surface water is channelled into the pond through two inlets: one on Somerset Road and one at the rear of the pond.
The pond is lined with puddled clay: a traditional, environmentally friendly method in which clay is thoroughly compacted to remove air pockets and create a dense, durable, watertight seal. During prolonged warm and dry periods, clay can contract and cracks may form, which can lead to possible water loss.
As Chain Pond is relatively shallow, evaporation rates during warm, dry weather are likely to be higher than in deeper bodies of water.
A specialist habitat
Ephemeral ponds are a specialist habitat for wildlife adapted to temporary wet and dry conditions, such as Moorhens and amphibians, and contribute to local biodiversity. These ponds:
- Provide a specialist habitat for wildlife adapted to temporary wet and dry conditions
- Support amphibians, invertebrates and aquatic plants, with fewer fish predators
- Contribute to local biodiversity and ecological value
The impact of climate change
As warmer, drier summers become more frequent, the pond is expected to continue drying out during these periods and refill naturally during the wetter autumn and winter months.
Many species that use temporary ponds can adapt to seasonal drying, and some benefit from ponds that dry out, due to the reduction in fish and other predators.
However, longer and more frequent dry periods can put additional pressure on wildlife, if ponds do not refill during the wetter months. If this is the case, wildlife will use nearby alternative habitats if available.
Management of Chain Pond
We manage ponds and surrounding greenspaces in a way that supports natural resilience. This includes monitoring water levels and wildlife, retaining dense marginal vegetation for shelter, avoiding unnecessary disturbance and considering where pond restoration or new seasonal ponds could strengthen the local habitat network. The Greenspaces strategy highlighted several new management plans that we are preparing, including one for ponds and other freshwater habitats.
Artificially topping up ponds with tap water can be harmful to plants and wildlife, due to the chlorine and other chemicals, and is not a sustainable solution.
Safety note
Please do not walk on the dried-out pond lining. The surface may be uneven, slippery, soft or cracked, which could create a risk of slips, trips or becoming stuck.
Walking on the lining may also damage the clay seal and affect the pond’s ability to hold water when it refills.