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Aquascaping. November 14, 2006 Country Creek HOA Manatee County. Pond Inventory Compliance Assessment Health Assessment Pond Maintenance Phase 1 Project Phase 2 Project. Contents. Pond Inventory. 14 ponds, constructed in three phases Phase 1, ponds 1-4 and 6 Phase 2, ponds 5, and 7-12
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Aquascaping November 14, 2006Country Creek HOAManatee County
Pond Inventory Compliance Assessment Health Assessment Pond Maintenance Phase 1 Project Phase 2 Project Contents
Pond Inventory • 14 ponds, constructed in three phases • Phase 1, ponds 1-4 and 6 • Phase 2, ponds 5, and 7-12 • Phase 3, ponds 13-14 • All were constructed by means of a SWFWMD environmental resource permit (ERP) • All ERPs have been turned over to CCHOA as owner • CCHOA is now responsible for maintenance • 30 acres of water surface area (approximately) • 137 of 228 (60%) residences border on a pond
Aerial View N North Pond 141st Central Pond East Pond West Pond 1st Ave Arrowhead Pond Witt Pond Crane Pond Long Pond Duck Pond Gray Hawk Pond Rye Road 2 Pond 7th Ave 147th Red Hawk Pond Rye Road 1 Pond Rye Road South Pond
Compliance Assessment • Latest inspection by HEDJ Engineering for SWFWMD was performed on April 3 and resulted in two findings that must be addressed through our maintenance program: • Sediment has partially filled the Crane Pond inflow canal and should be stabilized by planting on the banks • All ponds with littoral shelves lack the required vegetation and should be planted appropriately (approx. 2 acres of planting) • Next inspection must be performed in 2010 What’s a littoral shelf?A shallow area typically located in front of the water outflow structure, that is required to be planted so that the vegetation filters, purifies and oxygenates the water.
Crane Pond Inflow Canal • Sediment has partially filled the Crane Pond inflow canal • Recommend not to dig out but create wetlands area with appropriate plantings
Littoral Shelf Planting Littoral shelf • All ponds with littoral shelves lack the required vegetation and should be planted appropriately (approx. 2 acres of planting) • Littoral shelves are usually located in front of the water outflow structure.
Health Assessment • Heavy algae formation in shallow areas during warm weather due to lack of aquatic plants • Shoreline erosion due to lack of shoreline plantings
Health Assessment • High infusion of nutrients from lawns that run up to water’s edge. • Nutrients and contaminants also flow into ponds from street runoff.
Health Assessment • Healthier, more attractive ponds have shoreline trees and other plantings. • Bare shorelines make for unhealthy, unattractive ponds.
Maintenance company sprays algae with copper sulfate to eradicate it. Maintenance company sprays weed killer along shorelines. Algae sinks to bottom and becomes nutrient for more algae growth Weed killer must be applied carefully to avoid killing desirable vegetation Pond Maintenance • Recommendation: • Discontinue copper sulfate treatments • Reduce shoreline weed killer treatments slowly as we increase shoreline plantings and reduce shoreline grass.
Phase 1 Project: Dec ’06 – Oct ‘07 Use available CCHOA funds to: • Initiate a community education program • Name a “steward” for each pond to coordinate community participation in pond improvement and beautification efforts. • Pond management committee will obtain and distribute educational materials • Encourage shoreline planting by owners and provide necessary expertise and resources • Plant and maintain littoral shelves • Conduct community planting event • Contract for maintenance of aquatic plants • Plant around water inflow bibs to halt erosion
Phase 2 Project: Nov ’07 – Sep ‘08 • Apply for SWFWMD grant • Continue littoral planting • Plant shorelines • Continue community education program