When you see a blanket of green covering a pond, it’s likely duckweed, a tiny plant with a big impact. A native plant, it is a primary food source for many species, including – you guessed it – ducks! Known as the world’s smallest flowering plant, duckweed needs nutrient-rich water to grow. In the right conditions, it can quickly cover a pond. This presents a unique opportunity.
Taking advantage of duckweed growth, Water Resources Specialist Jack Distel has led a team testing a new approach to managing nutrient concentrations in Bloomington’s ponds, particularly those that are connected to storm sewers.
Using a temporary floating barrier, Distel skims duckweed toward shore. Crew members then scoop heaps of the plant onto a conveyor belt that loads it into a truck. The nutrient-rich duckweed is transported to a maintenance facility and composted on site.
“When that water is flowing out, nutrients go with it,” Distel said. “It’s our obligation as water resource management for the City to reduce that nutrient load, which we consider pollution.”
The goal isn’t to clear ponds of plant life, Distel said, but to see whether this cost-effective method of harvesting duckweed can improve a pond system over time. Just another reason why this little plant has a positive impact on our community.
Learn more about pond management and vegetation at blm.mn/ponds.
