Hodges Pond Update

Thursday, 13 June 2019 at 14:28

Local Dignitaries, politicians and members of Ducks Unlimited and the UTRCA provided an update on Hodges Pond this morning.

NORWICH TOWNSHIP -Hodges Pond, just outside of Woodstock has gone through a major transformation over the last couple of years.

Dozens of people showed up for an update the wetland today. By removing the dam two years ago, the site has turned into free flowing cedar creek on this property.

Brad Hertner with the UTRCA says the work done over the past couple of years has made a huge difference in the area.

"Cedar Creek starts just south of here in the Sweaburg swamp, that water used to come into this property and just stop by the Hodges Pond dam, which created a large pond here and heated up the water and degraded water quality. By removing the dam, we were able to create a free flowing Cedar Creek on this property, which cools down the water temperatures, soaks up the pollution better, it provides natural range for the fish here. We are seeing cooler water, cleaner water, better habitat as a result of that."

Hertner says this project started with a $25,000 grant.

"We started with $25,000 from the Province through the Great Lakes Guardian project. That got us started and we have used that money to leverage more and now we are close to up to $300,000 in funding for this site."

MPP Ernie Hardeman was on hand to see the transformation today and he was really impressed.

"The water is flowing through faster and cleaner water, we no longer have standing water here, creating an environmental hazard, it really is just such a great improvement."

The next step in the project involves Oxford County trails, who want to create a 5 kilometre trail on the property, so the public can use it. Already they are taking school trips to the area, so kids can see the transformation.

This is a partnership between Ducks Unlimited, Oxford County, Stewardship Oxford, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

The Cowan Foundation has provided $50,000 in funding to make this all possible.