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Lithia Park pond will get water refill, approved feed in effort to stay clean By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - Parks commissioners have adopted several measures to improve water quality at Lithia Park's lower duck pond to prevent stagnant water and a fungus that may have caused the death of a female swan in February. "We will drain and fill up to four times per year and see if that takes care of it," said Commissioner JoAnne Eggers. "That's in combination with controlling what goes into the pond." Parks and recreation commissioners approved the actions at their meeting last week. The swans' return to the pond will await outcome of the maintenance; commissioners will request public comment before deciding to return the animals. One surviving swan removed from the lower pond is being kept at another location in town. Commissioners voted to post signs educating the public on appropriate feed, install vending machines with feed at both the upper and lower duck ponds, and to restart a waterfall at the lower pond to provide aeration. The strategy includes portions of a proposal prepared by citizen Paul Kay and recommendations by a consultant who reviewed Kay's suggestions. Water quality in the ponds became a concern after last year's removal of a dam that diverted fresh water into the lower pond from Lithia Creek. The discharge of water into Lithia Creek was halted because of water quality concerns. In April crews drained the lower pond and removed accumulated muck. Kay, an irrigation consultant, had suggested a system similar to a wastewater treatment plant that would include aerating and recirculating treated water back into the ponds. Consultant URS Corp. of Portland said Kay's system would cost about $100,000, plus operation and maintenance expenses. They noted that Kay's approach, which included mini wetlands, might not succeed in Lithia Park because of its complexity. URS suggested cleaning the pond every two years and changing the water up to four times a year. If that doesn't work, a more aggressive approach using Kay's methods could be tried. "It makes a lot of sense to start with a simple approach first as long as it is environmentally sound," said commission chairman Rick Landt. "If we get good results we will stick with it. Otherwise we will try other means." Kay also is investigating water quality improvements for the upper duck pond. The commission probably will consider them this fall. Landt said the idea of duck feed vending stations came from community members. Cracked corn or poultry pellets will be dispensed for 25 cents, or pond visitors can bring their own. "Often in the past people have thrown bread into the pond whether the ducks eat it or not," said Eggers. The first draining will probably come this fall when Lithia Creek has more water, said Parks and Recreation Department director Ken Mickelsen. Parks crews would install the plumbing needed for the waterfall to aerate the water and a system that would pump the old water into the city's sewer system. Parks officials are still discussing with city water quality personnel the feasibility of putting the water into the sewer system. Parks crews also will remove non-native ducks, as they have in the past. Mickelsen said the department will find other homes for the fowl. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.