Another core component of Kiawah’s water system are
the ponds. These bodies of water add to the ambiance of the
Island and sustain a variety of wildlife, but they are more
importantly retention ponds, integral to the stormwater
management system on Kiawah. A series of pipes connect all
of the ponds and regulate 100 percent of the Island’s water.
There are 11 drainage basins on the Island, with Beachwalker
and Canvasback being the two primary ones. The system
loses its ability to drain excess water when there is high tide
during a storm surge or flood. Matt Hill, Lakes Department
Supervisor with the Kiawah Island Community Association
(KICA), is responsible for the condition of these ponds. Hill
graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in
marine biology and has had extensive experience in wildlife
management around the Lowcountry.
In addition to regulating the amount of water in the ponds,
Hill also manages their health. Algae growth is natural but
can be destructive. A recent toxic algae bloom resulted in the
death of millions of marine mammals in West Florida. The
algae that grow in the ponds on Kiawah are not toxic and not
the same species, but they need to be regulated nonetheless.
To help manage algae, the ponds are stocked with tilapia
that eat it. The pond management program is a balancing act
done as naturally as possible. The ponds and surrounding
grasses filter some of the herbicides and pesticides in the
run-off water from golf courses and yards, therefore ensuring
safe environments for alligators, birds, and aquatic life. Pond
waters that flow back out into the larger bodies of water are
not contaminated.
While it is certainly safe to eat fish or crabs caught around
the Island, fish species vary according to pond location. Some
fish can thrive in the generally brackish water on Kiawah,
including the River. The degree of salinity determines where
individual species of fish can be found. According to Hill,
some ponds around the Kiawah Island Club’s River Course
have higher ratios of fresh-to-salt water, so one could
find large-mouth bass there (hence the name Bass Pond).
Unfortunately, a very large number of fish were killed during
the freezing temperatures in the winter of 2018. Fish kills
can also occur when shallow water gets too hot. While it is
unpleasant to see and smell dead fish, a new generation of
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fish and other aquatic creatures will quickly grow up in the
same ponds. This is due to the ocean’s delivery of waters that
are laden with plankton each time the tides roll in. Plankton
consists of a diverse marine collection of microscopic
organisms, small crustaceans, and eggs as well as fish larvae
and other animal life. The marshes and ponds protect these
life forms until they grow to adulthood and are ready to “go to
sea” again. The cycle of life continues.
When you are visiting The Preserve for a little fishing, you
can see the impacts of saltwater intrusion on Cinder Creek.
Two hurricanes and the floods of 2015 resulted in tidal
overwash of Blue Heron Pond Road and the introduction
of large amounts of saltwater into what was previously a
freshwater wetland system. That is why some of the plant
life is dying.
Another source of fresh water right outside the Osprey
Point golf course acts as an alligator playground. The golf
course pumps water from an aquifer into that small pond
and uses the water to irrigate the golf course. Alligators like
the fresh water, but according to Hill, they actually prefer the
warmth of the pond water.
Protecting our wildlife habitats is one of the main goals
of the Kiawah Conservancy. As “citizen scientists,” all of
us can work toward this goal. Specifically, where water is
concerned, remember that songbirds and mammals drink
fresh water. After a good steady rain, fresh water is abundant
here. A small upturned leaf can serve as a water fountain for
a chickadee. Other times, particularly in summer, the birds
need a little help with their drinking water. A commercial
birdbath or even small shallow dishes on a deck or porch will
delight both you and the birds. Watching a bird take a bath
will bring a smile to anyone’s face.
We all should be cautious about the pesticides and
fertilizers we use. Going as natural as possible is good for our
ponds and the native plants and animals that depend upon
them. Residents whose property abuts a pond can sign a pond
edge agreement so that Matt Hill and his staff can help them
buy and plant native species that will benefit the health of the
pond and nearby wildlife while enhancing the lovely water
view from their back deck.
Water—it’s everywhere! NK
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