The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net  

THERE is growing concern over the unexplained huge drop in water level of a pond which is considered to be an important wetland and wildlife sanctuary in the Lucaya area of Grand Bahama.  

It is claimed that the pond water is at its lowest in years and fears are being expressed about whether there are plans by city authorities to have it filled in.

The pond is located at the back of the Lucaya International School (LIS) and has also served as an “outdoor science lab” for students and teachers there. 

Erika Gates, wildlife enthusiast, Shuffel Hepburn, a resident of Chesapeake, and LIS principal Michael Lowery and Science Teacher Dr Bateman are concerned over the “alarmingly” low water levels in the pond in the last two weeks.

Mr Lowery said: “Recently, the water level has dropped which brings us great concern as this pond is such a vital source of our science programme.

Mr Hepburn said: “It has been thought for years that the tides influence the levels of the pond. In fact, the pond has appeared to ebb and flow just like the ocean tides do on a daily basis, but it never gets this low.

“When it rains the basin level also rises higher than the usual water levels. Now it is so low that 80 per cent of it is just brown mud, it looks like a virtual desert and the children are asking what has happened to the water in the pond.”

Dr Bateman has never seen it so low, Mr Hepburn added.

Mr Lowery said that the school uses the wetlands and pond on their property to teach hands-on, real world experience in the sciences. “We have developed an outdoor classroom environment where we can put the theoretical into practice,” he said. “The amount of wildlife attracted to the pond is overwhelming and we are grateful to have such a wonderful resource right in our backyard.”

Some of the residents of the Chesapeake Subdivision are also worried as they have lived in harmony with the pond for years. Mr Hepburn claims that residents are concerned about rumours that the Grand Bahama Port Authority is considering filling in the pond and insists that it is important to the community and no bother to residents.

“The school is using the pond as an outdoor science lab to educate our children, and residents are quite pleased about that,” he added.

He said the school has a nature trail and has identified the various trees in the area of the pond. He believes that, soon, tourists may be taken on tours of the pond for bird watching.

The pond is a virtual wildlife sanctuary for birds from as far away as Canada, there are also tiny fish in the water and other signs of life.

Mrs Gates, co-ordinator for the wildlife habitat programme at LIS, said: “This wetland has been a healthy ecosystem where a variety of resident and migratory bird species have been recorded. The Button Wood tree and other vegetation growing along and within the pond contribute to the excellent clarity and purity of the water.

“This makes it possible for small fish, crustaceans and grasses to thrive providing food for ducks, wading and shorebirds as well as birds of prey and many others.”

Mrs Gates said that the abundance of birds has become a point of interest with the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University and the Grand Bahama Birding Group, which regularly submits observations for entry into the university’s global database.

She stressed that birds are indicators of a healthy environment and she hopes that the wetland will be left alone to continue to provide a wonderful green space and study site for students, as well as the local birding community.

Mr Hepburn said people are keeping a watchful eye on the pond. “Everyone is watching and waiting to see when the water will return to the Chesapeake pond. The community is hoping that the water level does not drop any lower so that the birds will return,” he said.