Page 19 - Mar-Apr19 Vol36 No7
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spring-fed ecosystem could be healthier but their main purposes will be to The wetlands plants are fast-growing
and regain its long-term balance. enhance the lake’s water quality and and have already begun filling out the
discourage algae growth. newly planted beds. Eliminating the
The first major step was repairing a leak aquarium weeds will allow the wetlands
in the lake’s earthen berm. That allowed The wetlands do that two ways. plants to become better established and to
managers to control the water levels in the First, the wetlands create better water do the work they were intended to do.
lake and allow it to fill to its proper depth. circulation in Fountain City Lake. That’s
because the most shallow, stagnant areas The City of Knoxville’s aim was to invest
Next, crews repaired the fountain and – spots that had been conducive to the in infrastructure and rectify the lake’s
pump house. This improved circulation formation of the worst of the algae – have algae, muck and circulation problems so
and aerated the water. been converted into the wetlands wildlife that community partners can maintain the
habitat. lake going forward.
Then the wetlands contractor, Ronald Second, the wetlands plants themselves
Franks Construction Co., finished absorb nutrients (much of it from duck The immediate next step will be easy
building the gabion baskets–mesh feces) that otherwise would promote the – and pleasant. Families visiting the lake
structures that were filled with more growth of algae. can simply enjoy watching the wetlands
stones, lined and topped with soil. So not only are algae-producing flourish as the plants grow and fill in.
conditions reduced, but the water-loving
The baskets allowed the wetlands beds vegetation that is being planted will Officials have asked visitors to feed the
to be built with sharp vertical drops at further discourage stubborn algae from ducks, geese and fish only the appropriate
their edges, rather than gradual slopes. forming. food that’s available at a lakeside feeding
The wetlands were built in the first place The wetlands plantings incorporate station.
to eliminate shallow stagnant areas many different plants, including cardinal
that were conducive to algae growth. flower, blue flag iris, buttonbush, soft rush That will help safeguard the water
Maintaining deep water levels around and wintergreen. quality, because overabundant waterfowl
the edges of the wetlands is consistent “These wetlands plantings were selected being fed bread and pet food has
with the plan and its emphasis on deeper, because they’ll do well and require little always been a main culprit in the algae
cooler water that circulates well. maintenance,” said David McGinley, formation. Plus, feeding the ducks the
Stormwater Engineering Manager. right food is better for their health.
The contractor also removed more muck “They’ll grow to between two and four “People food” and dog and cat food leads
(contributed to by the feces from over feet tall. These will be controlled wetlands to duck obesity and brittle bones.
abundant ducks) from the lake’s bottom. – not jungle, but not manicured.”
“The moral of the story is that it’s going
Once the plant material became to take a community-wide effort for
available, subcontractor Landscape Fountain City Lake to truly thrive,” said
Services Inc. initiated the plantings. Hagerman.
The wetlands plants will be attractive,
View online at tnpublicworks.com 19
