Improving Water Qualtiy Through Riparia Buffers Interpretation Sign ~ Mayfield Pond Park ~ Mayfield, Michigan
Improving Water Quality through Riparian Buffers
Water are Riparian Buffers?
Riparian buffers are vegetated areas near a stream or lake that help shade & protect the water from adjacent land uses. Buffers help soil erosion & runoff, improve wildlife & fish habitat, encourage water to filter into the ground, & provide shade to decrease the warming of the water.
Why Mayfield Pond?
Mayfield Pond is a human-made pond that was created by the Swainston Creek. This creek is a tributary of the Boardman River, which is prized for its Coldwater fish habitat. As Swainston Creek enters the pond, water slows, warms up, & is then released into the creek again below the dam. This warm water increases the temperature in Swainston Creek & the Broadman River. The Broadman River Flows into West Grand Traverse Bay. An increase in temperature decreases the amount of oxygen in the water available for organisms, such as trout, & changes the composition of species int he stream-this is called thermal pollution.
Why Native Plants?
The buffer at Mayfield Pond was designed to still allow fishing across & clearance while creating shade that will reduce the amount of warm water that is released into Swainston Creek. All the vegetation is native to this area & will need very little upkeep once it becomes established.
This buffer was created in cooperation with the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay & the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Funding for the project was provided by a grant from the MDBQ.
Improving Water Qualtiy Through Riparia Buffers Interpretation Sign ~ Mayfield Pond Park ~ Mayfield, Michigan
Improving Water Quality through Riparian Buffers
Water are Riparian Buffers?
Riparian buffers are vegetated areas near a stream or lake that help shade & protect the water from adjacent land uses. Buffers help soil erosion & runoff, improve wildlife & fish habitat, encourage water to filter into the ground, & provide shade to decrease the warming of the water.
Why Mayfield Pond?
Mayfield Pond is a human-made pond that was created by the Swainston Creek. This creek is a tributary of the Boardman River, which is prized for its Coldwater fish habitat. As Swainston Creek enters the pond, water slows, warms up, & is then released into the creek again below the dam. This warm water increases the temperature in Swainston Creek & the Broadman River. The Broadman River Flows into West Grand Traverse Bay. An increase in temperature decreases the amount of oxygen in the water available for organisms, such as trout, & changes the composition of species int he stream-this is called thermal pollution.
Why Native Plants?
The buffer at Mayfield Pond was designed to still allow fishing across & clearance while creating shade that will reduce the amount of warm water that is released into Swainston Creek. All the vegetation is native to this area & will need very little upkeep once it becomes established.
This buffer was created in cooperation with the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay & the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Funding for the project was provided by a grant from the MDBQ.