Protecting a neighborhood amenity
Do you have a love/hate relationship with your neighborhood pond? With thoughtful stewardship, a small pond can capture and treat stormwater runoff, support a diversity of wildlife habitat and provide a place of tranquility and peace amidst the fast-moving pace of life in modern-day Johnson County.
Most neighborhood ponds, unless located within a city or county-owned park, are privately owned, usually by a homeowner’s association. The stewardship of these ponds falls to the HOAs, with no (known to us) eligibility for financial assistance through the county, state or federal government. Therefore, it makes sense for HOAs to plan financially for the management costs associated with these valuable neighborhood amenities.
Common Pond Problems and Potential Solutions
Shoreline Erosion – Exposed shorelines, where soil is bare, or where shallow-rooted grass is mowed to the shoreline will be less stable than shorelines planted with deep-rooted, native plants. Over time, erosion will fill in the pond, reducing the stormwater/flood protection benefits. Severely eroded shorelines may require engineered solutions, and reclaiming a pond’s capacity is an expensive, but necessary, activity.
Nutrient and Other Pollution – As rain falls on the landscape that drains to the pond, it carries with it what is on the ground. This includes excess lawn fertilizer and pesticides, road salts, pet and wildlife waste, litter and natural materials such as grass and leaves. All ponds have difficulty finding balance in the face of these inputs. A mucky appearance, unpleasant odor and even algae blooms are signs of imbalance due to these inputs. Residents living in the drainage area can positively influence the health of their neighborhood ponds by taking action: eliminate/reduce the amount of chemicals applied to lawns, grow native plants instead of plants that require chemicals and regular watering/ mowing, regularly pick up after pets and ensure vehicles aren’t leaking toxic pollutants.
Johnson County Stormwater Management Program funds a resident cost-share program, Contain the Rain, throughout the county. Participants receive up to 50% reimbursement for projects including planting native plant rain gardens and native trees, installing rain barrels and other practices that vary by city. Visit containtherainjoco.com.