In a small pond near O’Hare Airport, a new floating wetland is making a big impact on water quality. The Cook County Forest Preserve’s first floating wetland, located at Schiller Pond, is a 5-by-10-foot structure made with PVC pipe, foam insulation board, and native plants.

How it Works

The wetland serves as a natural filter, removing excess nutrients and reducing algae growth in the pond. The native plants, which include hardstem bulrush, Virginia blueflag, swamp midweed, and prairie cordgrass, have deep root systems that absorb phosphates and nitrates, storing them in the plants’ stems and leaves.

Microbes gather on the roots, creating a biofilm that attracts heavy metals, clay, and muck, clearing up the pond. The wetland also provides habitat for pollinators and a place for fish and macroinvertebrates to shelter and lay eggs.

Inspiration from the Wild Mile

The idea for the floating wetland came from the Wild Mile, a floating eco-park that has helped improve the water quality of the Chicago River. Michael Feldmann, a fisheries science technician with the Forest Preserves, said the team was inspired by the Wild Mile’s success and decided to build their own floating wetland.

The Forest Preserves’ fisheries team has been working to improve the water quality of Schiller Pond for years, removing invasive carp and implementing a 20-foot “no mow” buffer around the pond to reduce runoff and discourage geese from gathering on the shoreline.

The new floating wetland is a key part of these efforts, and Feldmann hopes it will educate the public about the importance of water quality and the role that individuals can play in improving it.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.