Do you live in a community with a stormwater pond? Or have a pond on your property? For many neighborhoods in the Grand Strand, stormwater ponds are a familiar feature. In fact, the number of stormwater ponds in the Myrtle Beach area has increased over the past 25 years, from roughly 1,000 ponds in 1994 to over 3,000 today. Despite their prevalence, ponds don’t come with instruction manuals and proper management can seem mysterious.
The NI-WB NERR is partnering on a new educational program focused on pond management. The Grand Strand Healthy Pond Series is an opportunity for HOA/POA representatives, pond owners, and pond managers to increase their knowledge of pond management best practices. This community-based discussion series will provide a way for pond owners to learn, connect, and share. The series is organized by the North Inlet – Winyah Bay NERR, Clemson Extension, and S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Why ponds? Stormwater ponds are engineered structures built to control stormwater runoff, protect water quality, and prevent flooding. However, ponds require proper management to provide these important functions. Over 150 members of the Grand Strand community attended the Grand Strand Stormwater Pond Management Conference in February 2020. For those participants, the Healthy Pond Series is a chance to take a deeper dive into pond management topics, to discuss and network with peers, and to build relationships. For those new to pond management, the Healthy Pond Series is a great way to get started and to make connections.
The first Healthy Pond Series workshop was held virtually on September 25th, 2020. Participants heard presentations on how to identify stormwater pond features, and then put their knowledge to the test in an interactive session on reading as-built designs. Future sessions will be hosted quarterly and will cover topics such as aquatic plant management, shoreline erosion, and wildlife management. Healthy Pond Series workshops will be free of charge and registration will open one month before each session. Keep an eye on NI-WB NERR social media and event pages to sign up. See the flyer below to learn more and to save the dates! The next workshop will be on December 1st, 2020 and will focus on aquatic plant management.
