Duke Pond

The DWCC/Duke Facilities Collaboration at Duke Pond

The Wetland Center has undertaken a permanent collaboration with the Duke Facilities Management Department at the stormwater reclamation site known as Duke Pond on Duke’s West Campus. Facilities uses the water in a chiller plant that is part of the University’s buildings cooling system. The Wetland Center monitors Duke Pond’s water quality and advises on establishing wetland plant communities.

Duke Facilities Management began the project in response to the record drought of 2007. Known as Duke Pond, the $11.5 million facility collects rainwater and runoff from 22 percent of the main campus area for use in a nearby chilled water plant, which pumps water across campus to cool buildings. It is expected to save about 100 million gallons of potable water a year. The 5.5-acre lake sits on a 12-acre site that also provides a place for education, research, and recreation. Facilities include a pavilion, boardwalk, a .6-mile walking path, and an amphitheater with lawn seating. Construction was completed in 2015.

The Wetland Center has been tasked with monitoring the facility water quality. This includes:

1. Calculating a water budget for the pond,
2. Assessing whether the pond is in accordance with North Carolina state water quality standards, and
3. Determining the success of establishing wetland plant communities along the edge of Duke Pond.

DUWC also advised Duke Facilities on the original selection of native wetland vegetation to be planted at the site.

DWCC provides a PDF checklist of birds observed at Duke Pond.

Duke Pond is part of the University-wide stormwater response that includes the Stream and Wetland Assessment Management Park (SWAMP).