In order to restore the capacity of UBC Okanagan’s artificial retention pond and to extend its operating time, Facilities Management is undertaking an expanded clean-up initiative this summer.
Facilities Management undertook a project in 2016 to restore the capacity of the main pond by removing a 10-metre band of cattails and associated organic and inorganic sediments on the northeastern shoreline and clearing the forebay. While this work significantly increased the capacity of the pond, its capacity is now decreasing as sediment accumulates.
Silt fencing will be placed around the pond starting in July. In August, the pond will be partially drained to enable the removal of cattails from an expanded area of the pond and the associated organic and inorganic sediments. The forebay will also be cleared again during this time. This initiative is expected to protect the pond’s water storage capacity for 5 to 10 years.
Facilities Management has been working with consultants to create an environmental maintenance plan to ensure that the impact on wildlife is minimal and that critical habitat features are maintained. Faculty who have active research projects in and around the pond are asked to take steps to complete or conserve their research before silt fencing is installed in July.
Since 1991, campus stormwater has been directed to a small, artificial retention pond with a sealed liner bed on the east side of campus behind the Education Management Education building. Rather than putting the water into the City of Kelowna’s stormwater system, the human-made pond was designed to look and function like a natural pond, and effectively treat pollutants through evaporation and natural biological processes.
Sedimentation forebay after completion in 2011.
In 2011, a sedimentation forebay was added to the North side of the pond. The forebay acts as a natural sediment-settling area, providing an initial depression where the first flush of stormwater can collect and allow the suspended solids to settle out. The forebay also reduces the maintenance impact on the larger retention pond area and its wildlife inhabitants from periodic silt removal and servicing.
Since 2011, sediment input into the main pond has decreased significantly and the pond and forebay have functioned as designed and continued to provide the campus with a unique ecological feature for both learning and enjoyment. However, organic sediment accumulation, primarily from cattail colonization in the main pond has continued to increase, impacting the pond’s primary function by reducing its capacity for water storage.
In order to restore the pond’s capacity and to extend the period of time which it is operating at full capacity, Facilities Management is undertaking an expanded clean-up initiative this summer. Silt fencing will be placed around the pond starting in July. In August, the pond will be partially drained to enable the removal of cattails from an expanded area of the pond and the associated organic and inorganic sediments. The forebay will also be cleared again during this time. This initiative is expected to protect the pond’s water storage capacity for 5 to 10 years.
Facilities Management has been working with consultants to create an environmental maintenance plan to ensure that the impact on wildlife is minimal and that critical habitat features are maintained. Faculty who have active research projects in and around the pond are asked to take steps to complete or conserve their research before silt fencing is installed in July.
Cleaner water, a healthy pond habitat and a natural-looking amenity are among the benefits of UBC’s ongoing commitment to progressive stormwater handling on the Okanagan campus.
For more information, contact Facilities Management at 250 807 9272 or facilities.ok@ubc.ca.
