What Kudzu Can Do - Preventing Damage To Dry Ponds

Kudzu is a vine native to southeastern Asia.  It climbs, crawls, coils and strangles all other vegetation when it is uncontrolled, and it has found a very hospitable climate here in the southeastern United States.  This now invasive vine was brought here via the Philadelphia Expo in 1876, and intentionally sown in fields 60 years later as a method to control erosion.

It does control erosion by creating a solid mat along open slopes and spaces, which is why you see it on nearly every roadside.  The problem becomes when it climbs shrubs and trees, eventually crowding out and killing all other vegetation in its path by depriving it of sunlight.  

Although trees are always beneficial, a properly maintained dry pond basin would not have facilitated trees and shrubs in the first place.  Recently, Dragonfly restored a dry pond basin that had been overran with Kudzu. There is now a fully functioning riser on the left, and all rip rap drainage and culverts are cleared for optimal, safe and intended function.  The floor of the basin is covered in matting to prevent erosion or soil shifting issues until the grass beneath can grow again and stabilize the bottom of the basin.

About Dragonfly Pond Management

Dragonfly Pond Works helps clients discover their sanctuary. We are an environmental services company that customizes water beautification solutions, creating natural pond, lake, and wetland refuges for residents, property owners, and community members to enjoy. Our practices work in harmony with nature, but also within your budget.

As experienced specialists in pond and lake management, our designs transform retention ponds, sand filters, stormwater basins, underground detention facilities, and other types of aquatic systems into healthy and integrated waterscapes.

From Maryland to Florida, Dragonfly Pond Works serves clients throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including corporate, commercial, and public accounts, residential customers, and homeowner associations. We strive to develop long-term relationships based on quality work, timely service, cost efficiency, and of course, trust.