Grounds Practices

Working Group Minutes

Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2005

Attendees: Nancy Apple, Ellen Shukis, Mary Jo Maydew, John Bryant, Rick Bigelow, Paul Breen, Leszek Bledzki, Thomas Millette

Special Meeting on Constructed Wetlands Study

Thomas and Leszek discussed the constructed wetland study they are undertaking. The study is looking at the efficacy of modifying the wetland above Upper Lake to increase nutrient absorption. There are several major sources of nutrients and other contaminants to the lake system that are beyond our control, agriculture in Granby, suburbanized areas with faulty leaching fields, Westover industrial activities. According to CE data, the golf course stream also has background nutrient levels significantly above background.

Wetland residence time of 5 days can remove 80% of the nitrogen and 50% of the phosphorus. The study is looking at how much wetland would be necessary to significantly reduce nutrients to the system and the optimum characteristics of that wetland (e.g. plant species, soil characteristics). The existing wetland starts as a ribbon along the creek and then spread out. It is likely that we would need to modify the flow pattern to increase retention. Harvesting would be required to maximize nutrient removal.

The study will require 1 to 2 more years to complete.