Parker Pond

Many of you may not be aware that on the University's Uptown Campus, the majority of our storm water catch basins, located on our roadways and parking lots, collect stormwater runoff that ultimately ends up in Parker Pond. Parker Pond is a major feature for stormwater management by containing the water and preventing downstream flooding. Parker Pond is also the source of water for the campus irrigation by pumping water from the pond through the irrigation system for many of the practice fields and lawns. The capacity of Parker Pond is 6 million gallons of water, but when that is exceeded by excessive runoff, a spillway directs the overflow, via an underground pipe, to the Krumkill and ultimately to the Hudson River.

Protecting Parker Pond

Parker Pond is an important resource to the campus and general community. There are walking trails situated around the pond, a bridge that crosses the pond, siting areas, picnic tables and informative signs. Originally, Parker Pond was for recreation when the site was a golf course. It was a feature retained during construction of the University and was used for stormwater manage by detaining the runoff during large rainfall events.

The University has taken measures in protecting Parker Pond from pollution such as providing a 100-foot buffer, increased maintenance on the storm sewer system to reduce siltation deposits, erosion control measures around the pond and addressing the geese population.