Challenges
Sediment Accumulation
Over the past 27 years, the pond has gradually nearly 40% of its original capacity due primarily to accumulating silt and organic muck. A May 2023 survey revealed that 1.73 feet of sediment—equivalent to nearly 2,400 cubic yards—has built up on the pond floor. This excessive sedimentation reduces water depth, leads to unsightly sediment islands, disrupts aquatic habitats, and diminishes water quality. If left unaddressed, continued accumulation could lead to stagnant conditions, increased algae growth, and further ecological decline. Restoring the pond’s capacity is essential to maintaining a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
Ongoing Drought
Persistent drought conditions, driven by a changing climate, continue to impact the pond’s water levels. Reduced rainfall and prolonged dry periods contribute to lower water levels, increased evaporation, and higher concentrations of pollutants, all of which threaten aquatic life and overall water quality. Without adequate replenishment, the pond’s ecosystem becomes more fragile, making conservation efforts and sustainable water management more critical than ever. Community support is essential to mitigating these challenges and preserving this vital resource.
Water Loss
The pond is experiencing rapid water loss after rainfall, indicating potential leakage approximately 18 inches below the spillway. Erosion has exposed permeable karst limestone, allowing water to seep through areas where the clay liner has degraded over time. Additionally, high-water-consuming vegetation, such as Willows and invasive Ligustrum trees, further accelerates water depletion. If left unaddressed, continued seepage and excessive plant water uptake could compromise the pond’s stability and ecosystem health. Identifying and mitigating these issues is essential to ensuring long-term water retention and sustainability.
Supplemental Water Needs
Relying on potable water to maintain pond levels is neither financially nor environmentally sustainable, with each fill costing $3,000 to $5,000. This approach places a strain on resources, increasing expenses while failing to address the root causes of water loss. Sustainable solutions, such as improving water retention, restoring natural filtration, and reducing dependency on supplemental water, are essential to ensuring the long-term health and viability of the pond. Investing in conservation efforts today can help reduce ongoing costs and preserve this vital ecosystem for the future.
Excessive Turtle Population
The pond’s turtle population has grown significantly, creating several ecological challenges. Their increased numbers contribute to accelerated sediment buildup and pose a risk to the clay liner due to burrowing, which can further reduce water retention. Additionally, certain turtle species prey on ducklings and other small aquatic life, disrupting the pond’s natural balance. Without proper population management, these issues could continue to disrupt the ecosystem and hinder restoration efforts. Implementing sustainable solutions is essential to maintaining a healthy, balanced wildlife population.
Deferred Maintenance
Ongoing management and maintenance are essential to the long-term sustainability of the pond. Over time, lack of regular upkeep has contributed to issues such as sedimentation accumulation, erosion, water loss, and habitat imbalance, making restoration efforts more challenging and costly. Proactive maintenance, including dredging, shoreline stabilization, vegetation management, and infrastructure repairs, is crucial to preserving the pond’s health, water quality, and ecological balance. Addressing these needs now will help prevent further deterioration and ensure a thriving pond for years to come.
Solutions
Sediment Removal
Restoring the pond’s capacity and improving water quality begins with sediment removal—the most critical and costly aspect of the overall restoration project. This essential step takes top priority before addressing any other challenges.
Several methods have been identified, each varying in cost, timeline, and effectiveness:
-Comprehensive Dredging Process
- Wet Dredging (3-4 months)
- Suctioning sediments into large geotextile dewatering bags, which filter out excess water, allowing for efficient drying and volume reduction.
- Transporting the dewatered sediment off-site for proper disposal.
- Dry Dredging (3–4 months)
- Draining the pond and allowing sediment to dry sufficiently before removal.
- Transporting the dried sediment off-site.
-Alternative Methods
- Intensive Oxygenation (6 months – 2 years)
- Enhancing oxygen levels to accelerate the breakdown of organic matter. Results have been observed in as little as six weeks.
- Intensive Microbial Treatment (2–5 years)
- Introducing beneficial microbes to gradually decompose accumulated organic sediment. Initial improvements have been noted within the first year of treatment.
A combination of these methods may prove most effective. However, the final approach will depend on budget constraints, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability goals.
Drought Mitigation
To address the ongoing drought conditions and reduce water loss, the following solutions are recommended:
- Reduce Pond Size – Decreasing the overall size of the pond will help minimize evaporation and water consumption, focusing resources on maintaining a more sustainable area.
- Install Perimeter Blocks – Installing perimeter blocks will help stabilize the shoreline, reduce erosion, and control water flow, aiding in water retention.
- Utilize Aqua-planting (Beautification Fund)– Applying Beautification funds for Aqua-planting will allow for the strategic planting of water-efficient, native plants that help reduce water consumption while enhancing the pond’s aesthetic appeal and ecological health.
These measures will help conserve water and improve the pond’s overall sustainability in the face of ongoing drought conditions.
Water Retention
To improve water retention and ensure long-term sustainability, the following solutions are essential:
- Establish New Spillway Level – Adjusting the spillway level will help control water flow and reduce excessive loss, ensuring the pond maintains adequate levels during periods of drought.
- Remove High-Water Consuming Trees and Vegetation – Removing invasive or high-water-consuming trees and plants (some of which have already been removed) will reduce unnecessary water depletion, allowing for more efficient resource management.
- Build a Retention/Filter Section at the Head of the Pond – Constructing a retention and filtration area at the pond’s entrance will help reduce the amount of silt entering the primary pond while improving water quality. This section will also provide an effective way to manage sediment build-up and prevent future ecological challenges. The Beautification Fund will support the creation of this new infrastructure.
These combined efforts will greatly enhance the pond’s ability to retain water and manage silt, contributing to its overall health and sustainability.
Reduce Supplemental Water Needs
By creating a deeper, smaller pond, we can significantly reduce the need for supplemental water. The smaller surface area will decrease evaporation rates, while the added depth will help retain more water for longer periods. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for supplemental water altogether, ensuring the pond’s natural water cycle is sustainable without relying on costly and environmentally taxing external sources. This approach will not only conserve resources but also enhance the pond’s self-sufficiency and ecological health.
Turtle Rehoming
To address the excessive turtle population, we will contract with a local wildlife rehabilitation organization to capture and humanely rehome all turtles. This collaborative effort will help restore ecological balance in the pond, prevent damage to the clay liner, reduce silt/muck accumulation, and protect ducklings and other small wildlife. By working with experts, we ensure that the turtles are relocated to appropriate habitats where they can thrive without negatively impacting the pond’s ecosystem.
Maintenance
To ensure the long-term health and functionality of the pond, the following maintenance actions are recommended:
- Replace Dam Valve – Replacing the dam valve will improve water flow control and reduce potential leaks or water loss, ensuring more consistent pond levels.
- Explore Maintenance Plans and Pond Service – Investigating and implementing regular maintenance plans will help maintain water quality by using natural biological and/or oxygenation treatments to manage sediment, reduce contaminants, and support overall pond health in the long term.
These steps will contribute to ongoing pond stability, improve water quality, and reduce future maintenance costs.