Paradise Pond is a stormwater park. This is an accessible area to see how urban water gets redirected, altered and “cleaned” before heading into our aquifer.
The surrounding neighborhood surface water gets directed to this area through existing storm sewers and ditching networks. The park then receives the overflow water through a stormwater baffle box. The baffle box pretreats the inflow of water by slowing the flow of water, trapping some of the sediments and associated pollutants from the stormwater. Water then flows out of the box into the retention pond. Sometimes resource managers create another type of retention pond called a bioretention basin. The basin, landscaped with native vegetation, further helps to treat and filter the water. The basin filters pollution, helps to prevent flooding in the neighborhood, and provides habitat for wildlife. Laboratory experiments also show that bioretention ponds remove a high percentage of hydrocarbons and heavy metals, such as lead, copper and zinc from the stormwater runoff. The bioretention basin, more so than a typical non-vegetated retention pond, slows and filters the water seeping through the layers of sand and clay soils into the aquifer.
Please go to the following locations to answer a few questions. There is no need to go into the water or the creekbed to answer any of the questions.
N 29 41.770 W 082 20.727 Paradise Pond - Stormwater Park
This is a great example of a bioretention basin. Notice how the ground slopes down from the sidewalk and surrounding area. When you walk around the island you can see how the area has been diked to retain the inflow of water. The native vegetation in the center island helps filter the water.
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Is there any water flowing from the Baffle box at this time?
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If there is water in the basin, is it clear or murky?
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Do you see any wildlife using the area?
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Look to the trees to the north of the area. Is the vegetation similar to the vegetation in the island area or different?
N 29 41.757 W 082 20.698 Hogtown Creek
This is very near the headwaters of Hogtown Creek. Notice the difference in the soil in the creekbed versus the soil in the surrounding woods. The creek has flushed all the top nutrient-rich soil. The creekbed is typically sandy.
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What is the height of Hogtown Creek using the gauge you can see from the sidewalk.
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Is the creek flowing or is it stagnant?
N 29 41. 761 W 082 20.663 Retention Pond
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Compare this area to the area at Stormwater Park. Describe the vegetation, water level and wildlife present.
Please remember ALL stages of the cache are easily accessible and do not require bushwhacking. There is no need to enter the creek to estimate the water level.
References:
Wikipedia Bioretention
UF IFAS Extension Bioretention Basins/Rain Gardens
LakeSuperiorStreams.org Bioretention basins
Hydrology Studio Bioretention Pond Design