The floating wetlands, which are now deployed at Lake Elkhorn, Wilde Lake and Jackson Pond, provide three benefits. They improve water quality, provide a structure for the environment’s fish habitats and add aesthetic value to the area.
The wetlands are made up of a series of 4×4 buoyant mats constructed from a mixture of recycled materials. The mats are then filled with soil and plants, which has its roots under the water, and placed into the lakes. As the plants grow, their roots consume excess nutrients that have saturated the lake, creating a healthier eco-system.
This operates at so many different levels. It is environmentally friendly, they look nice, they provide a bio-habitat for small fish and birds, and they keep the lakes looking and smelling nicer. There are approximately 50 4×4 floating mats spread out between the three locations. The cost is approximately $200 per 4×4 mat, including plant material. The plan is to put in more floating wetlands in the spring of 2014, so long as the current ones hold up during the winter.
The floating wetlands have benefits beyond the lakes they occupy. There is nothing negative about this project. It is good for the community, good for the environment. It is another example of the type of things we could be doing more of.
In addition to the floating wetlands, CA has employed other initiatives aimed at making Columbia’s open space, including its lakes, better for the environment. Earlier this year, CA completed dredging of Lake Elkhorn, which was the last lake to undergo the process that began with the dredging of Lake Kittamaqundi in 2010. The prime importance is to give importance to maintain the environmental and aesthetic value of the lakes.
CA also has a lake sediment management plan, a rain garden program, energy efficiency and numerous other “green” measures for CA facilities and operations, and the reforesting of portions of CA property as part of CA’s watershed management plan.
CA has a long history of environmental stewardship. This is very challenging but not impossible and the aim is to become more sustainable, reducing energy consumption, minimizing pollution and protecting our natural resources. They are also working to actively engage the community on these issues so that Columbia, as a whole, becomes more sustainable. This is a very smart move for the entire community as well as for the country as a whole.