Lake Louise Information

Over the past few years, the issue of “what to do about Lake Louise” has periodically surfaced within the Crofton community. Usually this has been prompted by periods of drought that have caused the water level in the pond to get very low. This resulted in a less than desirable appearance of what is the primary feature of the main entrance to Crofton. Residents have offered a number of different ideas on this topic. Some say leave things as they are, just do routine maintenance (grass mowing, etc.) and let nature take its course regarding water level. Some suggest enhancing the appearance of the pond by planting additional trees and ornamental grasses. Some suggest drilling a solar powered well to maintain an acceptable water level in the pond during drought conditions. A fountain might be added for aesthetic purposes. Some suggest transforming the pond into a more natural state resembling a mini wetlands preserve. There are pros and cons to all these alternatives. The CCA Operations & Maintenance Committee has reviewed the options over the past few months and has decided to recommend the wetlands approach for consideration by CCA members.

Converting Lake Louise from what it is now, essentially a large storm water retention pond, into a small natural wetlands area will be a major undertaking. The four large drains that collect storm water from the town homes and commercial property above the pond would be torn out and replaced with a system of small streams, weirs (small stone structures that control water), step pools to slow water flow and promote infiltration into the water table, and plantings of native trees, shrubs and grasses. The advantages of such a transformation are many. Instead of allowing polluted storm water to flow into the Little Patuxent River which can happen during major storm events, or allowing the water to stagnate and evaporate during dry periods, a wetlands design would slow and collect runoff in small ponds and permit it to filter down into local aquifers, removing pollutants and actually raising the water table over time. Natural plantings would be virtually maintenance free and would support more desirable wildlife like wood ducks and songbirds rather than the present golf course geese and landfill gulls. A wetlands design will also provide natural beauty at our main gate. The pictures that accompany this article are of actual projects in Anne Arundel County and provide a glimpse of how attractive a restored natural area can be.

So where do we go from here? A transformation project of this scope cannot be undertaken without substantial community support. Some community funds will be needed to pay for an initial design to support applications for government and conservation organization grants, to research and write grant requests, and to obtain necessary government permits and approvals. We know residents will have a lot of questions about this project. To provide more information on the wetlands concept and answer questions, the CCA Board has invited Mr. Keith Underwood, president of Underwood & Associates of Annapolis to speak at the September 21 CCA General Membership meeting. Mr. Underwood is a landscape designer and field ecologist who has done extensive research on ecological restoration using Regenerative Storm water Conveyance techniques. He has designed and participated in the construction of many successful projects in Anne Arundel County including some that feature renewal of the native, now rare, Atlantic white cedar. Mr. Underwood is passionate about stream and wetlands ecosystem restoration and he’s an excellent speaker. To learn more about his methods and some of the projects his company has completed in the county, you are invited to visit his web site at http://www.ecosystemrestoration.com/index.html.

Regenerative Storm Water Conveyance Projects In Anne Arundel County