This article answers a reader-submitted question asking about the work being performed in the woods by CA near the Residences at Vantage Point. Feel free to submit a question to themerriweatherpost@gmail.com if there is a request for me to cover a topic that relates to Downtown Columbia.
The Columbia Association is in process of performing stream restoration work in Columbia to control erosion problems that result in sand and sediment entering Lake Kittamaqundi and Wilde Lake. The $2.2 million project is being paid for entirely by the state of Maryland. Once complete, the amount of sediment going into Columbia lakes will be reduced by 30%, meaning that CA won't have to dredge as much material out of the lakes nor dredge as frequently, saving time and money.
The work is taking place in Harper's Choice and Wilde Lake and includes the stream area near the Residences at Vantage Point alongside the path that connects Lake Kittamaqundi to Wilde Lake. If you drive on Little Patuxent just north of the Lakefront, you will notice a large construction equipment in the woods near the CA paths and a section sidewalk on the east side of LLP closed where some work is occurring.
This project will restore and enlarge the active flood plain along the streams. Grading will occur and natural materials - like logs and large rocks - will be used to slow the movement of rainwater into the streams to prevent erosion. Unfortunately, crews won't be able to save some of the larger trees along the streams and these will come down. Some of these ash trees have already been killed by the Emerald Ash Borer. The good news is that the trees that will come down as part of the project will be put in the banks or bottom of the stream as part of this project to help with grade control and water management. New trees and a spread of seeding mix will be replanted at the conclusion of the project in February or March 2021.
For more information on the project, please see the CA blog post - Stabilizing the Streams in Columbia.
Below is a video courtesy of CA that describes the project in more detail.