Visitors to Emeriti Park next to Baker University Center will see a temporary interruption to the serenity of the area this summer, as several construction improvements are underway, including pond dredging and additional lighting features.
The pond was excavated at a depth of 8 feet in 1998 and has steadily collected silt over the years, to such an extent that it’s now 4-feet deep in some places, according to Mark Whitney, design and construction project manager for Ohio University.
“The overall health of the pond is better with the proper depth, so I was charged with finding a means to dredge it to its original contours,” he explained.
Although traditional pond dredging involves draining the pond and using heavy machinery to haul away the silt, the University has sought an environmentally-friendly method that will leave a small environmental impact on the park.
Two divers with hoses attached to a suction pump will suck up sediment from the pond floor and pump it into two large 3,000 cubic feet geotextile fabric bags that will be located near Ping Center along South Green Drive.
The project will begin in mid-July and is expected to take two weeks, weather permitting.
During dredging, equipment and hoses may be placed across the sidewalk in the park, so the area could be closed to traffic until the project is complete.
After the geotextile bags dry for 60 days, the silt material will be taken to the compost area at The Ridges for processing.
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Press Release, May 9, 2014