Tui Slough... Constructing an Extension to Deppe Pond (2007 to the present)
After determining in the Spring of 2007 that Deppe Pond would be a good site for the 4th refugium for the endangered Mohave tui chub (MTC), an idea was born to create a larger extension below the existing pond. In August of that year, six students enrolled in AAE's Mojave River Student Scientist class, (a high school science elective giving student hand-on experience in conservation biology, environmental science, and outdoor education) took a trip to Lark Seep on the Naval Air Weapons Stations (NAWS) near China Lake in Ridgecrest, California. There, we were meet by Susan Williams who took us to see a canal to Lark seep called G-1, affectionately called "Chub Med" by fishery biologists, because MTC seem to prefer that habitat it provides.
After comparing the dimensions of the G-1 canal to the space available below Deppe Pond, it was determined that we would try to replicate the G-1 habitat below the existing pond's dam. We eventually called this 300 foot long, 21 foot wide, 3-5 foot deep channel "Tui Slough". What follows is a slide show of the "Tui Slough" site, pre-construction.
In December, 2007, a field construction supervisor was approached one morning on a worksite and asked if his company would consider donating their time to regrade the existing road on the west bank of both Deppe Pond and the Tui Slough site, excavate the 300 foot long, 21 foot wide, 3-5 foot deep channel, and regrade the "Slough's" east bank. A week later, after conferring with the owners, FMK (For My Kids Construction" agreed to donate their time and equipment to do the earth moving work necessary to create the initial, unlined channel. What follows is a slide show of the construction of the "Tui Slough". construction.
After the "Slough" was dug, two students proceeded to do the measuring and math to determine the best estimate for the amount of pond lining material that will be needed to line the ends and three sides of the slough. At present we are waiting on the construction of an additional dam at the end of the "Slough", similar to the one that retains the waters behind Deppe Pond, before we line the slough. If possible, the same contractor that constructed that dam will construct this one as well (Conco Construction of Apple Valley). (3/23/2008)
To be continued...
After determining in the Spring of 2007 that Deppe Pond would be a good site for the 4th refugium for the endangered Mohave tui chub (MTC), an idea was born to create a larger extension below the existing pond. In August of that year, six students enrolled in AAE's Mojave River Student Scientist class, (a high school science elective giving student hand-on experience in conservation biology, environmental science, and outdoor education) took a trip to Lark Seep on the Naval Air Weapons Stations (NAWS) near China Lake in Ridgecrest, California. There, we were meet by Susan Williams who took us to see a canal to Lark seep called G-1, affectionately called "Chub Med" by fishery biologists, because MTC seem to prefer that habitat it provides.
After comparing the dimensions of the G-1 canal to the space available below Deppe Pond, it was determined that we would try to replicate the G-1 habitat below the existing pond's dam. We eventually called this 300 foot long, 21 foot wide, 3-5 foot deep channel "Tui Slough". What follows is a slide show of the "Tui Slough" site, pre-construction.
In December, 2007, a field construction supervisor was approached one morning on a worksite and asked if his company would consider donating their time to regrade the existing road on the west bank of both Deppe Pond and the Tui Slough site, excavate the 300 foot long, 21 foot wide, 3-5 foot deep channel, and regrade the "Slough's" east bank. A week later, after conferring with the owners, FMK (For My Kids Construction" agreed to donate their time and equipment to do the earth moving work necessary to create the initial, unlined channel. What follows is a slide show of the construction of the "Tui Slough". construction.
After the "Slough" was dug, two students proceeded to do the measuring and math to determine the best estimate for the amount of pond lining material that will be needed to line the ends and three sides of the slough. At present we are waiting on the construction of an additional dam at the end of the "Slough", similar to the one that retains the waters behind Deppe Pond, before we line the slough. If possible, the same contractor that constructed that dam will construct this one as well (Conco Construction of Apple Valley). (3/23/2008)
To be continued...
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