Document text
--> --> Waterfall flowing at lower duck pond By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Water again is cascading down a waterfall feature at Lithia Park's lower duck pond as a temporary measure to treat the stagnant pond. On Wednesday, irrigation consultant Paul Kay hooked up a pump donated by United Rentals of Medford to send pond water through a pipe to the top of the waterfall, where it flows back down into the pond. Ashland Hardware also provided materials at a reduced cost to implement the stop-gap measure, according to Kay. The temporary step will boost dissolved oxygen levels, spurring natural bacterial processes that break down waste material in the pond. "Right now the pond is limited by its lack of oxygen," Kay said. "It still won't be balanced because nutrients aren't being removed." The Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to adopt a permanent solution for treating the lower duck pond and continue exploring options for treating Lithia Park's upper duck pond at their next meeting, which is scheduled at 7 p.m. on June 25 in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St. The search for pond treatment options was launched after the February death of the park's female swan, who died of pneumonia and a fungal infection linked to the pond's stagnant water. Installing a larger pump and pipe to send even more water down the waterfall is one alternative under consideration for the lower duck pond. Prior to Wednesday's installation of the temporary pump, the waterfall feature had not been used for several years, ever since the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department stopped diverting Ashland Creek water and sending it down the waterfall. Pond overflow had been drained back into the creek. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality concerns over pond water contaminating the creek halted the practice. Although the present use of the waterfall will improve conditions at the pond, Kay said visitors may notice a strong odor as the water is oxygenated and circulated, stirring up decaying organic matter. Anyone who notices a loud noise coming from the pump, which could indicate clogging, should call the parks department at 488-5340. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing