ORNL Pond; Past, Present, and Future

Transition of the Pond• Although a fixture on campus, ORNL Swan Pond wasnot integrated into the landscape.• As it was managed, pond invited use by large numbersof Canada geese.• Fish fauna of pond was dominated by non-nativespecies.

Transition of the PondInitially itlooked like afarm pond.August 1965

Pond was managed for swans.Exotic mute swans controlledhow pond was managed.

Pond was managed for swans.Access to the pond wascontrolled, and vegetationwas limited to trees.

Pond was managed for swans.Chain link fence was used tokeep swans on pond. Theywere fed grains, excessvegetables, etc., with supplyusually exceeding demand.Excess food attracted otherbirds, including largenumbers of Canada geeseand domesticated ducks.

Pond was managed for swans.Excess food and bird excrement kept water enriched andsupported large numbers of non-native fish species (e.g.,goldfish, fathead minnows) and invasive aquatic plants.

Pond was managed for swans.Grass carp were added to pond in 1970s to control submergedvegetation, but they left the water turbid most of the time.

Transition of the Pond• ORNL swan pond was targeted for“make-over” as part of the East Campusrevitalization in 2004.• Primary goal was to blend it into thesurrounding area, making it a focus forpedestrians and cafeteria users.• Secondary goals were to make it a morenatural system reflective of area faunaand flora and help deal with nuisancegeese.

Transition began with removing swans• Because waterfowl arefederally managed,permits and approvalswere needed.• A suitable relocation sitewas needed.• Some local “champions”had to be consulted andconvinced.

Swans were moved to a local pond inOctober 2004.

Transition included physicalchanges to pond and area.• During construction of visitor center andcafeteria:– Chain link fence removed: Dec 2004;– Water feature and berm added: June 2005;– Feeding pier, dead trees, and nesting islandremoved: July 2005; and– New sidewalk and boardwalk over pondadded: July – Sept 2005.

More physical changesLater, benches, river rock,and turtle platforms wereadded.

Transition continued with changesin fauna and flora.• Grass carp were removed to facilitate theestablishment of emergent and floatingvegetation in January and December2005.• Many large goldfish were also wereremoved. Some goldfish remain.

Removal of carp: Phase I

Removal of carp: Phase II

Removal of carp: Phase III

Removal of carp: Phase IV

Removal of carp: Mostly

Transition continued with changesin fauna and flora.• Sunfish added February 2006.• Largemouth bass added February 2007.• Native turtles, spotted gar, and morebass added April 2007.Redear sunfish Largemouth bass Bluegill

EasternpaintedturtleSpotted garLargemouth

Transition continued with changesin fauna and flora.• A management and landscape plan forthe pond was developed to guidetransition.• Wetland plants were added to make thepond appear “more natural” and toprovide improved habitat.• Shoreline plants were added to providevisual appeal.

Shoreline floral changes• Invasive shrubs and trees sprayed andremoved: March 2005 and April 2008• Non-native grasses sprayed: June 2005,April and June 2006, and April 2008• Trees and shrubs planted on east andnorth shores: Sept. 2005• Flowers planted on south shore: June2005, June 2006, May 2007, June-July2008

East Shore PlantingsBeautyberryOak leaf hydrangea

South Shore PlantingsSideoatsgramaBee balmPurpleGrayheaded coneflower

North Shore PlantingsBlazingstarRed maple

West Shore PlantingsButtonbushSycamore andblack willowSwamp mallow

Emergent and floating plantswere added.• Emergent and floating plants wereprimarily located inside wire cages toreduce herbivore pressure.• Supplemental plantings of emergentplants were also made outside of cages.• Plants were obtained from nurseries, aswell as transplanted from Oak RidgeReservation wetlands.

Planting July 2007

Emergent plantsSpike rushesCardinal flower

Emergent plantsSweet flagBlue flag iris

Emergent plantsArrowheadPickerel weed

Emergent plantsSedges and rushes

Floating plantsAmerican lotusWater lily

Floating plantsNon-native water lilyNative water lily

Transition progressAppearance: September 2004

Transition progressDuring construction: September 2005

Transition progressPlantings without cages: October 2006

Transition progressInitial cage plantings: July 2007

Transition progressPlants beginning to expand: August 2007

End of first seasonof growth:September 2007Transition progress

Transition progressStatus: May 2008

Status:August 2008Transition progress

Algae bloom spring 2007Emergent and aquatic vegetationshould limit future blooms

Wildlife residentsNorthernwatersnakeEasternpaintedturtle

Wildlife visitorsBeltedkingfisherGreategretGreatblueheronKilldeer

Transition will continue.In summer 2008 moreaquatic and shorelineplanting was done, and apurple martin house wasadded.Future plans call foradditional shorelineplantings and bird houses,as well as efforts tocontrol non-native fish.