Written by: Shannon Junior, Ecologist & Sr. Business Development Consultant
Lakes and ponds can be amazing focal points of our communities. People are innately drawn to water, and local waterbodies create natural spaces to enjoy a morning run, an afternoon walk with the dog, or a neighborhood social event. Many communities that I work with have implemented beautification and habitat enhancement projects for their ponds, and some have even hosted kids fishing derbies or remote control boat races.
But while maintaining healthy and attractive waterbodies is a priority for most HOAs, the basic structural and functional maintenance activities are frequently overlooked. It’s relatively easy for the average community manager or resident to identify when their stormwater pond is experiencing problems when it’s covered in weeds and algae or when the fish stop biting, but many of the tell-tale signs of structural trouble are more subtle and difficult to identify.