Watching the big tractors working on the ponds south of Newport (known as Pond 17) and behind Camden House in Oak Harbor (Pond 18), I wondered what steps would be taken to improve all of our remaining ponds? How are the ponds revived after not being maintained for almost 40 years? Why are our ponds important to our community? 

To find out some answers I turned to Spencer Joyner, chair of the Pond Committee of GHCA. Spencer indicated there are 28 stormwater ponds, which are man-made ponds designed to collect rainwater runoff from our streets, parking lots, and yards. The ponds are all interconnected flowing from one to another through underwater culverts, eventually connecting to our mangrove estuaries and on to the Indian River Lagoon. 

Ponds are necessary to avoid flooding. Over the years, the ponds have filled with sediment and sustained a 43 million gallon loss in holding capacity. “Seven ponds have lost over 40% water storage capacity, and two have lost more that 60% increasing risk of neighborhood flooding during rain storm events.” Loss of capacity of retention ponds may also affect water quality, soil erosion, mosquito population from stagnated water, and may have a negative impact on aquatic life and wildlife that depend on healthy ponds. 

Engineer studies were conducted by GHCA and the first stage of work has been performed by Cross Creek Environmental, a private Florida company. It is anticipated that the work will take five to six years to complete. This work will be done from May through October to lessen the disruption at the time of our peak population. 

The process is fascinating. Each pond will be dredged with the muck gathered into geotubes, long fabric tubes used to stabilize the perimeter of the pond. After the geotubes are put in place, the top is slit to expose the dredged material. Over this area are placed cocomats, which are made from coconut coir material that stabilizes the surface while vegetation can establish roots. A shallow sloping shelf, littoral zone, was planted with native Florida plants. Broadleaf arrowhead was planted nearest to the bank, pickerelweed was then planted in shallow water, followed by jointed spiked-rush planted completely underwater. These plants will provide a vital habitat for wildlife, stabilize banks, filter pollutants from the water, and offer food and shelter for various species of fish, birds, and insects. 

Our beloved American White Pelicans, beautiful Roseate Spoonbills, and impressive Ospreys will have reason to continue visiting our healthy ponds. Thank you GHCA. 

Lyn Groves