Stormwater Kidneys

A stormwater retention pond is supposed to provide a filter for potential waterway pollutants. A well-built and maintained pond that supports plant life can significantly improve the quality of water draining into Florida’s waterways. Think of shoreline vegetation along any water body as the “kidneys” of the watershed. Desirable shoreline vegetation can stabilize the soil, protecting it from waves and erosion and uptake nutrients from runoff preventing them from entering the water body.

These same shoreline plants can help reduce pollutants in the ground water flowing to a stream or lake. A vegetated, tree lined shoreline also provides shade that helps to keep water temperatures lower. Many fish and other desirable aquatic organisms prefer cooler temperatures. As water temperature rises, its capacity to hold oxygen decreases.

This Stormwater pond shows a variety of aquatic plants that can trap nutrients from stormwater runoff. Photo: Ed Ayen, UF/IFAS FYN

Unfortunately many waterfront owners keep their shorelines bare or have grass down to the shoreline. This lack of a natural buffer may contribute to shock loads of nutrients and other pollutants affecting the water body and everything downstream.

You can help restore the kidneys of your water body by aquascaping your shoreline. Desirable shoreline vegetation should be planted close to the shore in the wide shallow area called the littoral zone. Allow for water level fluctuations and plant depth tolerant species further out.

The Bald Cypress tree (Taxodium distichum) does well on the shore or in up to 6 foot of water. A shrub that does well along the shoreline, but not in the water, is the Hibiscus (any variety). Plants that do well in moist soil or shallow water are the Golden Canna (Canna flaccida), Alligator Flag (Thalia geniculata) and Southern Blueflag (Iris virginica). A plant that does well in shallow water, up to 3 feet, is the Swamp Lily (Crinum americanum). Duck Potato (Sagittaria latifolia) can be planted from the shore edge to 6 feet of water. Items for deep water are Arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia) and pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata).

Grasses recommended for the shoreline plantings are Sand Cord Grass (Spartina bakeri) and Soft Rush (Juncus effuses). Deep water grasses, 6 to 12 feet, are Spikerush (Eleocharis cellulose & E. interstincta) and Paspalidium Grass (Paspalidium geminatum).

Floating leaved plants recommended are Yellow Water Lily (Nymphaea mexicana) and Fragrant Water Lily (Nymphaea oderata).

Please contact your county Soil and Water Conservation District office prior to doing any re-vegetation of shorelines to make sure you are complying with recommended procedures and regulations. Remember the future of Florida’s treasured water resources begins in your yard. The decisions you make from developing a home site, to landscaping your yard, to fertilizing your lawn actually influences the health of Florida’s natural waterways; especially if you live on one of Florida’s “kidneys”.

If you are interested in having a Florida Friendly Yard please contact Ed Ayen at the Highlands County Extension Service office. Phone: (863) 402-6540 or email: edayen@ufl.edu . His office location is 4509 George Blvd. in Sebring, FL 33875-5837.

The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program is being implemented through your local county extension service in Highlands, Okeechobee and Glades County and is partially funded from Clean Water Act Section 319 funding from the U. S. EPA through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

More information is available on the Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu. If you need additional information on Florida Friendly Yards, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 5 PM on Tuesday afternoons.

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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Dean Last update: 08/28/2006 . This page is maintained by Dan Culbert