Pretty cool project I'm working on.

[kschweer]

I have been building a new pond at a local high school in south jersey. It is part of a "green" initiative the school is implementing. It's about 20' long by 12' wide. What makes it green is the rainwater harvesting system that is a part of the pond. Rain water is harvested from the gutters and will be used to water the garden (will be in soon), top off the pond, and any other uses the school can think of. Just figured I would share. Thought it was cool I wish my high school had a pond or something cool.

 

[kschweer]

Few more

 

[jsciarrino]

Pond are nice and bring in a lot of wild live but there not green

The amount of ac you need to move the water for a pond like that would be at least 250 watts rubber and PVC is not green. A pond is nice and can help teach the kids about wild live but it's not green. Very nice pond looks like mine

 

[Hawkeye]

Are you supposed to put large pools of water like that right next to the school like that? It seems like a risk to me - but I know zero civil engineering....hahaha.

Anyways - it sounds great. Will you be adding fish to the mix? Or will this be a giant mosquito breeding factory? Sorry - i am totally joking! It does sound like a cool project and it would make for very interesting biology class (if the teacher allowed the kids out).

 

[kschweer]

The pond itself is not the green aspect of the build. It's the rainwater harvesting system. We will be harvesting a large amount of rain water that 1. Will conserve water 2. Stop rain water from washing across the parking lot picking up pollutants and going down the storm drain (that will eventually make it to our oceans the project is only like 15 miles from the ocean 3. Make it possible to water the garden if there are water restrictions. Originally the plan was just for the rainwater harvesting but we decided to add a pond too making it something that can be used by the school. Sciences classes obviously but also math (calculating volume) and the english teacher actually came out and said "wow now We have our own Waldens pond."
The area where the pond is located is fenced in. Teachers and students are excited with the project and a group was picked to help for 3 days. The pond will have fish and aquatic plants.

 

[jpelzer]

Science class can teach Darwinian selection by leaving the gate open. Love it!

 

[magic]

Science class can teach Darwinian selection by leaving the gate open. Love it!

That's just cruel !!!!! But FUNNY!

 

[malulu]

how deep would that be? if not deep enough - during winter cold weather the fish will be all frozen...

 

[downbeach]

What do you do to keep the mosquito's from breeding in there?

 

[malulu]

some frogs or toads?

 

[kschweer]

Frogs and toads will help with Mosquitos. There will also be a lot of water movement once the 2 water falls are running. Which also helps against Mosquitos. It is a little over 24" deep. At this depth fish will be fine in the winter. The biggest concern in winter is keeping a hole in the ice for gas exchange this can be done with a deicer or by keeping one waterfall running. Keeping the waterfall running also helps to Oxygenate the water.

 

[malulu]

may be keep some small air pumps running...? would need holes for air escape though

 

[kschweer]

It's not necessary to run an air pump the waterfall fill oxygenate the water as well as keep a hole for gas exchange

 

[TanksNStuff]

Pretty cool project! I agree that the rain water collection and pollution deterrence make it "green" and certainly counter the residuals caused by the materials used. Plus, it will house fish and plants which is a bonus.

It's even better that a few of the teachers are already planning on using it as a learning tool. Kids do much better learning with "hands on" experiences and seeing things in action than they can from a text book. This will likely inspire many kids to have ecological and/or environmental careers.

Glad to hear it will be fenced in too. I was worried about the liability issues, being at a school. I did get a good chuckle out of this though:

Science class can teach Darwinian selection by leaving the gate open. Love it!

 

[kschweer]

Here are some pictures of it just about finished.

 

[qwik]

Very nice work,you should be proud .

 

[wienerdog]

Wait a minute..it's AC High, isnt it? My alma mater..or atleast the Old School, isnt it?

 

[kschweer]

Nope not AC high. I'm really not sure if I can out the name here.

 

[wienerdog]

Nah, dont have to. Just looks like the back side of ACHS. How'd ya like that fire in Brig last wee on the 9th north and the avenue. I was the captain on that fire from Atlantic CIty. They called us over the bridge around 2:00am. If you're interested in trading some stuff, let me know. Being I am right here next to ya in Brig and AC.

 

[Baxreefs]

Nice looking pond!

I lived on Brig for 5 years waaaaay back in the day