Agenda - 06-26-1995 - X-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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21 WATER BODIES Water bodies within the boundaries of the University Station site are one of three types - Stoney Creek and its tributaries, beaver ponds or old farm ponds. Almost all of the site eventually drains through Stoney Creek. Only the northwest corner of the site empties into a separate sub- basin. All of the beaver ponds are located along Stoney Creek and have been discussed separately under the description of "Natural Areas". The remaining water bodies or farm ponds were probably constructed during the operational phase of the dairy farm in the northern portion of the tract. A third constructed pond exists along the power line right-of-way. These ponds contain few aquatic plants other than algae, with even fewer emergent plants. The pond closest to the farm house was bordered primarily by pokeberry, goldenrod, Jerusalem artichoke, winged sumac, and various grasses. Only a few trees were adjacent to the pond. The pond itself has a silt bottom with no emergent vegetation and a partial surface layer of algae, which could be evidence of an excessively high nutrient content, in which case the pond would support little in the way of aquatic fauna. However, there was evidence of recent raccoon activity and old beaver activity. The second pond, northeast of the farm house, is very shallow and has been drained somewhat, causing it to shrink in area. This pond also has a silt substrate with no emergent vegetation and some benthic algae. The pond is sparsely bordered by spike rush and a low ground cover. Further back from the pond's edge is Jerusalem artichoke, barnyard grass, and cocklebur, partially ringed by black willow and sycamore. This pond contains minnows and numerous northern cricket frogs. A well-used deer trail leads to the pond, and raccoon tracks were also seen. A third pond has been constructed in a low area along the power line right-of-way. It is adjacent to beaver impoundments along its western side and contains spike rush, arrow-head, umbrella sedge, and bladderwort, as well as some algae, and minnows. It is bordered primarily by fescue. There are 5.7 acres in farm ponds and 25.7 acres in beaver ponds within the project boundaries.