Friends of the Duck Pond
Raising funds for aerators for Garden Lakes Duck Pond to provide oxygen to the pond while also displacing algae. Algae creates an unsightly vista as well as an unhealthy atmosphere for living organisms in the pond.
Leader
Nancy Bressler
Location
Lakeside Drive Larchmont, NY 10538
About the project
We are raising funds for a low profile, commercial grade aerator system to be installed in the Duck Pond (Gardens Lake). The Duck Pond has developed a visible algae problem in recent years. Because our Duck Pond functions as a stormwater pond, a lot of runoff ends up there. The runoff contains many different chemicals that bacteria thrive on. These chemicals can be a good thing in proper levels but too many can create an imbalanced environment, eventually resulting in anoxic conditions where life in the pond can no longer thrive.
What are the effects of harmful algae blooms?
Harmful algal blooms can:
● Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals
● Create dead zones in the water
● Raise treatment costs for drinking water
● Hurt industries that depend on clean water
Aerators are a common solution to algae problems in freshwater bodies such as ours. They create a steady flow of oxygen into the water that clears the surface similar to what happens after a heavy rain. The oxygenation is necessary for aquatic life to thrive. It isn’t the only step but it is one major step in maintaining a healthy pond. A cleaner pond not only allows its ecosystem a chance to thrive, it also enhances our property value as well. The pond and brook are our own neighborhood gems that we need to be good stewards of.
The Steps
We have already accomplished two important steps.
1.The town of Mamaroneck supports our project and will provide annual maintenance as well as electric hook up. This cuts our cost in half.
2. We have a matching donor, thus cutting our fundraising amount again in half.
3. We now are seeking community supportby soliciting donations from neighbors and friends of the Larchmont Gardens neighborhood.
4. FInally we will purchase and install the units.
Why we‘re doing it
A cleaner pond not only allows its ecosystem a chance to thrive, it also enhances all our property value as well. The pond and brook are our own neighborhood gems, a small slice of nature that we need to be good stewards of.