Tips for maintaining neighborhood ponds
By Terasa Lott
Many residential neighborhoods contain ponds and in some cases, the lots associated with these ponds have a higher value. While these ponds can be attractive, they are primarily constructed to provide flood control and water quality protection.
As land is developed, the amount of hard surface increases. This means that during a rain event, there is less opportunity for water to soak into the ground. Less water soaking in means more runoff. This runoff is routed off roads and to the pond where it is held for a period of time. This allows for the removal of some sediment and pollutants before the water flows into a local body of water.
Like any other engineered device, stormwater ponds require maintenance. One of the most common problems affecting stormwater ponds is shoreline erosion. This undermines the stability of the bank and the sediment washing into the pond decreases the pond’s storage capacity. The more erosion that is occurring, the more frequently a pond will need to be dredged. As you can imagine, dredging is costly. Neighborhoods can protect the shoreline by installing certain plants that are suited to life at the edge of the water. Unlike turf, these plants have deep root systems that do a much better job of holding soil in place. Plants like Blue Flag Iris, Marshmallow Hibiscus, and Swamp Sunflower can transform a blah, eroding shoreline into one that is stabilized, full of color, and attractive to desirable wildlife. Personally I would much rather look out my window to see hummingbirds feeding on flowers at the water’s edge rather than a shoreline of sparse grass and eroding soil.
Nutrients can also be problematic in stormwater ponds leading to excess weed and algae growth. You may wonder about the source of the nutrients. Once source is fertilizer runoff so property owners should apply fertilizer based on the results of a soil test to ensure. More is not always better! Pet waste can also be a source of nutrients so picking up after man’s best friend can help your neighborhood pond (and keep your shoes clean). Shoreline plantings help with nutrient removal as do floating wetlands. Floating wetland are essentially container gardens for ponds. Plant roots extend into the water where they can take up excess nitrogen and phosphorus. The islands provide habitat for fish, frogs, and pollinators and the shade helps cool the water to support healthy oxygen levels.
For more information about stormwater pond maintenance and problem solving, visit clemson.edu/extension/stormwaterponds.