Norah’s Pond Construction update – Oct 27th, 2025
Norah’s Pond Construction Update – Pond Liner Stage
What we are learning as we dig
As we’ve excavated, we’ve seen exactly what the valley is known for: a mix of tighter silts and clays, pockets of sand and gravel, and shallow rock in places. Each of those layers pulls water in a different direction. Even a thin sandy seam can drain a surprising amount over a few weeks.
So, while our site is a brilliant place to teach about local landscapes, it is not a guarantee of summer water, therefore a lined pond lets us work with the land rather than fight it.
We’re lining the new pond – just like we did with the old one
A pond liner is essentially a promise. It says the water will still be here when the summer heat kicks in. That promise matters for three reasons.
- Reliable water for wildlife
With a liner, we can keep a steady water level through July and August as the pond is topped up with recycled water throughout the summer. This gives salamanders time to grow from babies, keeps dragonflies and mayflies hunting, and lets birds drink and bathe when the landscape is at its driest. - A living classroom all summer
The pond supports plants like sedges and rushes, plus insects, birds, and the occasional mammal. Visitors can see and learn from a thriving wetland throughout the summer. - Better habitat management
A liner ensures that the deepest part of the pond remains at a depth that discourages plants such as cattails from growing there, unlike our past pond where cattails were left to slowly fill the open water. A liner also makes it easier to shape shelves, manage plants, and keep a healthy balance between cover and open water.
Bringing it home
Seasonal, vernal or ephemeral ponds are part of the Okanagan’s natural cycle. They fill in spring and are often dry by summer. They are valuable and we want to honour that rhythm. At the same time, dependable open water is scarce when wildlife needs it most – especially when human development causes habitat loss and fragmentation (when building structures like roads and fences can break large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, creating barriers that wildlife cannot cross).
Our Norah Foord Pond has always been an ephemeral pond. It drains and mostly dries up before fall. With our revitalization project, our new pond will be classified as a permanent pond. The water level will fluctuate naturally with the seasons, but the centre of the pond will never be empty of water. That is why our new (and larger) lined pond at ABNC is vital. It complements seasonal wetlands by providing a reliable refuge through the hottest months. It supports tadpoles becoming salamanders, toads and frogs, keeps insect life buzzing, gives birds and pollinators safe access to water. Plus let’s not forget our nighttime visitors – deer and coyotes. Then there is you, our visitors – you’ll get a clear view into wetland life all summer long when everything else looks parched.
In short, the ground beneath us is a beautiful patchwork, but it is not built to hold water for long. A liner gives nature a hand, turning a short spring season into a full summer of life.
