Our ponds are man-made. Each one has a specific purpose either to the golf course or to the Empire Ranch housing community surrounding the course. Ponds, on holes 3, 9 and 16 were constructed to be both water hazards and design elements of the golf hole. Other ponds, such as those on holes 6, 13, 14 and 18 were constructed for flood control from the surrounding neighborhoods and to function as a bio-filter for water exiting the golf course. These "filter" ponds have seasonal flow and fluctuate in depth throughout the year.
During rain events, urban runoff has been directed from the surrounding hills, streets and rooftops into our ponds. Water is "slowed" in these collection ponds and gradually released from the property to local surface waters.
One of Empire Ranch's most challenging water-bodies was the pond on number 18. Specifically, seasonal water flow was stagnating because of the abundant "cattails." In early January and February we had a chance to clear much of the cattail from the collection pond by manually removing them. We used a shrub/clump grubber (see picture below) wrapped around the cattail clump and then attached by chain to the backhoe. The backhoe pulled the clump to the ponds edge and then it was picked up and placed into a Toro Workman by the backhoe. Each clump weighed 500-700 lbs. As you can see in the before and after photos the pond has improved water quality and made number 18 a more attractive finishing hole.
Over time, the pond on 18 will increasingly grow more cattails because of an endless supply of seed coming from upstream. Our maintenance team however, now has a successful plan in place for maintaining our most challenging body of water.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
 |
| After (looking from 18 bridge) |
 |
| Stump/Clump Grubber |
