The map above shows Mandalay’s eight lakes and how they are connected. Ponds 1 & 2 are connected and they discharge through pipes under the main entrance and that crosses under Lockwood Ridge Road to drain. Pond 3 drains into the Wetlands, helped by a newly-trenched ditch. Pond 4 drainage meets with Pond 3 drainage and empties into the SilverLake canal. Pond 8 drains to Pond 7 and Pond 7 drains to Pond 6. The discharge from Pond 6 also goes into the Silver Lake canal.
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As shown on the lakes map, the SilverLake canal plays an essential role in drainage for Mandalay, but there’s more. The water in the canal ultimately flows to the 360-acre Evers Reservoir, which is the primary water supply source for the City of Bradenton. The water that flows through Mandalay ultimately could wind up in a Bradenton kitchen faucet!
The flip side of the demand (or use) of water is the supply. What is the supply source for the water in the lakes? Mandalay’s lakes are actually stormwater detention ponds. The runoff from rain events is collected in the lakes and after being used for irrigation, the water runs back into the ponds for reuse or storage. Pond 3 is the only one used for irrigation, so the water supply for Pond 3 is critical. The water comes from stormwater runoff and is supplemented with well water pumped from an underground aquifer.
Water for life? That includes more than Mandalay residents and their landscaping. It also includes aquatic vegetation, water fowl and other fauna. When lakes are managed correctly, harmony is achieved by oxygen levels in the water that allow fish to breathe and that retard algae growth. As well, aquatic vegetation is sufficiently strong to overcome invasive plants. The result is a pleasing habitat for people and one that supports a variety of wildlife.
The lakes’ good health depends on the proper movement of water through them. Additional health components are the Littoral shelves, the microorganisms and submerged vegetation.
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is the agency that issued a permit to Mandalay to use stormwater for irrigation, manage the Wetlands and install detention ponds. Mandalay is obligated to be in compliance with the terms of the permit. SWFWMD required that the detention ponds be constructed with Littoral shelves and you see them in Lakes 3, 5, 6, 7. They are the shallow areas within the pond, noticeable because of the vegetation growing there. SWFWMD requires about 30% of a pond’s surface area be devoted to the Littoral shelf and also requires about 85% of the shelf be covered with vegetation.
Maintaining a healthy Littoral shelf is one of the best investments in preserving our lakes for years to come. The shelves affect water quality, wildlife habitat and shoreline stabilization. On the shelves, aquatic vegetation suppresses algae and filters out pollutants such as oils and fertilizers, resulting in improved water quality. In deeper parts of the lakes, water quality also needs to be managed because stormwater runoff, animal waste and fertilizers bring undesirable nutrients that spur the growth of undesired bacteria. Naturally-occurring microorganisms will work hard to suppress the bacteria, but occasionally biologists will introduce supplemental agents, which help to create a colony large enough to feed on the excess bacteria and nutrients.
In addition to managing water quality, stabilizing erosion along the banks of the lake is a key part of the preservation job. Good water quality gives rise to healthy plants and native species, which in turn prevent shoreline erosion and retard flooding as they slow the flow of stormwater runoff during rain events.
Preserving these liquid assets also helps preserve wildlife species such as the Sand Hill Crane, which has chosen to be our neighbor. Like the two-footed residents, a large variety of waterfowl has decided that Mandalay is a good place to call Home.
Under direction of the Board, pumps are maintained and operated to bring supplemental water for irrigation into Lake #3. Pumps to run the system that delivers irrigation water to homeowners and common areas are also part of the community infrastructure. From time to time, you will see technicians in wet suits and full diving gear performing service.
As added protection for the lakes, the Board contracts with an aquatic biologist to maintain water quality and the Littoral shelves. Keeping easements between homes clear so the biologist can bring a boat to the lake for service is a little-known but important consideration when planting in your yard. That biologist also keeps an eye out for alligators, welcoming them because they keep the tilapia in check. Otherwise, tilapia can be invasive to our lakes.
Recently, the Board has completed several projects in conjunction with SWFWMD to support Wetlands operations. Our landscaping service monitors and maintains canals, ditches and drainage areas all with an eye toward protection of these resources.
Now what about you? How can you help in protection of the lakes? As you make decisions about fertilizers or weed killers, give some thought to quantity and quality, trying to use only as much as needed to do the job. If you live on one of the lakes, pay attention to the grass clippings when your lawn is mowed and prevent them from being blown into the lake. Finally, don’t assume all shoreline plants are weeds. Identify the plants and don’t pull the ones that assist with shoreline stabilization.
Protection of the lakes is everybody’s job and the payback is a beautiful place we all call home.
