We recently purchased a house in Frisco, CO and the property includes a small wetland (photo attached). There is no surface inflow. The area fills from groundwater seepage. We are in a valley bottom with a creek only about 80 yards away. There was no outlet until a few years ago when the previous owners and the town installed a connection to a nearby storm sewer to prevent standing water on the adjoining bike path. The water is pretty shallow and in late fall last year the water level fell to the point of there being no visible standing water, but the water has now returned. I am looking for resources/advice about the best way to manage the pond. For example, should I be skimming/treating to limit the vegetation/algae that took over the surface of the water last summer? Should I attempt to remove the layer of decomposing vegetation from the bottom of the pond? Is there a reason, e.g., habitat, that I should refrain from removing dead willow branches at the edge of the pond, or should I do so to encourage new growth. The materials I have seen for pond management have not been from extension services that would be addressing alpine environments (9000’) or for bodies of water as small as this. I would appreciate being directed to useful resources. Thx
