Aquascaping

November 14, 2006Country Creek HOAManatee County

Contents

Pond Inventory Compliance Assessment Health Assessment Pond Maintenance Phase 1 Project Phase 2 Project

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

South Pond

Rye Road 1 Pond

Rye Road 2 Pond

Witt Pond

West Pond

Central Pond

North Pond

East Pond

Long Pond

Arrowhead Pond

Duck Pond

Crane Pond

Red Hawk Pond

Rye Road

147th 7

th Ave

1st Ave

141s

t

N

Gray Hawk 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

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.

Littoral shelf

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.

Pond Maintenance

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

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