Otherwise known as “Doug’s Swimmin’ Hole”

Our lovely pond is really thriving and just as native as the forest nearby. So far several species of birds have moved in expressly because of the pond’s existence. Also, all the swallows, swifts and bats are drinking on the wing and fun to watch: especially when you are in the water yourself! Future developments include overhanging decks, ladder, diving board, bathroom and SAUNA!

From this perspective you can see how much vegetation is growing around the pond. The edges are all covered with swamp species and, for now, some of the exotic grasses. Over time, native species will replace all others. We even closed off one small trail to allow for accompanying habitat that will give rails and others a place to nest. That plan also includes bringing off a side slough for adjacent marshy habitat to encourage the same.  Notice the benches at the main end; that’s where you’ll see decking, ladder, etc.

Although the boys took out around 500 wheelbarrows-full of soil, it still took the backhoe 12 hours to dig our pond. That baby is big; it has 3-meter holes at both ends and is chest-high in between, total length about 45 meters. Nice Lap! Also, the soil was used to create a parking area that will later double as the floor of a large roofed area for group-events.

Where Edwin is standing there is a bottom of sand & soil for organisms to dwell and breed. Same for the whole length. The sides are steep enough that the butyl rubber membrane is exposed, but the rich edge habitat, floating plants, soil bottom and swamp/breeding-shelves create a rich diversity.

This is one of the hyacynth “corrals”. That means a rope with flotation the contains the floating plants. They allow us to have that 45 meters free for swimming. What a successful experiment! They were easy to make and really work. You cannot see the rope and floats unless they are pointed out.

This is what has developed in one of the breeding shelves. The sides come up within 20 to 35 centimeters of the surface, so that is how deep the water is that enters the shelves. They are full of soil and planted with reeds & rushes. Boy did they take off, especially in this one, which has a more vigorous reed than was planted in the other! The reddish tinge is out equivalent of duckweed.