Water features: A cornerstone of conservation

One of the most frequent questions raised by course managers and greenkeepers is simple: what more can be done to encourage wildlife and improve habitat?

There are, of course, many answers, but one of the most effective and moften overlooked solutions is the introduction or enhancement of water features. Whether in the form of ponds, lakes, ditches or flowing streams, water has a unique ability to transform both the ecology and functionality of a golf course.

Beyond their visual appeal, water features serve a number of practical purposes. They can act as valuable reservoirs, capturing rainfall for irrigation use, while also playing

a key role in managing drainage and reducing the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rain. At the same time, they naturally filter pollutants and nutrients, helping to improve overall water quality across the site. Importantly, they also introduce strategic interest to the course, offering both challenge and definition within the landscape.

However, simply installing a pond or opening up a watercourse is only part of the story. To remain effective, both ecologically and operationally, water features require thoughtful, ongoing management. One of the most important considerations is maintaining water movement. Stagnant conditions can quickly lead to declining oxygen levels, particularly where excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates are present. These nutrients, often originating from fertiliser inputs, can encourage excessive algal growth, which in turn impacts water quality and aquatic life.

Managing algae is therefore a regular task on many sites. In practical terms, this often involves manually removing build ups where possible, alongside introducing control measures such as UV filtration. Perhaps more sustainably, the careful introduction of aquatic plants can help restore balance, competing with algae while also improving water clarity and oxygenation.

Planting, in fact, plays a central role in the long term success of any water feature. The right species will not only enhance water quality but also provide essential habitat, offering shelter, breeding areas and food sources for a wide range of organisms. Marginal vegetation can also help to stabilise banks, reducing erosion and maintaining the integrity of the feature.

As with all aspects of course management, balance is key; excessive vegetation can restrict flow, contribute to silt build up and ultimately reduce the effectiveness of the system.

Red-eyed damselfly, Erythromma najas

Regular inspection remains essential. Water bodies are particularly sensitive to pollution incidents, and the effects can be both rapid and severe. A single contamination event, such as a leak entering a watercourse, can dramatically reduce oxygen levels and result in significant losses of fish and invertebrate life. Early detection is critical, and any suspected pollution should be reported promptly to the relevant authorities, such as the Environment Agency.

When managed well, the ecological rewards are considerable. Water features quickly become focal points for biodiversity, supporting everything from amphibians and aquatic invertebrates to birds and mammals.

Dragonflies and damselflies are often among the first to arrive, followed by frogs, toads and newts. Over time, larger species such as herons, kingfishers and even mammals like otters or water voles may begin to use the habitat. Bats are also frequently seen feeding over open water, taking advantage of the abundance of insect life.

Experience repeatedly shows just how quickly wildlife can respond. A pond introduced as part of a redevelopment project at John O Gaunt Golf Club, primarily to address a flood prone area, rapidly established itself as a thriving habitat. Within a year, it was supporting a diverse range of species, including a small red eyed damselfly not previously recorded on the site. It serves as a powerful reminder that, given the right conditions, nature is quick to take advantage.

The brook flowing through John o’ Gaunt Course, Bedfordshire, kept clear of reeds to prevent flooding and support healthy wildlife.

Flowing watercourses can be just as valuable. Brooks and drainage channels, when properly maintained, act as important wildlife corridors across the course. Occasional clearance of excessive vegetation is necessary to keep water moving and prevent flooding, but this work also helps maintain a healthy balance between open water and cover, ensuring the habitat remains both functional and diverse.

In many ways, the message is straightforward: create the opportunity, and wildlife will follow. Even relatively small interventions can deliver significant gains, particularly when they form part of a wider, considered approach to course management.

Ultimately, water features represent one of the most effective ways to combine playability with environmental stewardship. They are not simply decorative elements, but working parts of the landscape, supporting irrigation, improving drainage and providing essential habitat. For those looking to enhance both the ecological value and resilience of their course, water is a natural and highly rewarding place to start.

Water features are not decorative extras - they are working ecological assets. Even small, well managed interventions can deliver substantial gains for wildlife, course resilience and long term sustainability.

Key STRI aligned principles

• Maintain water movement to prevent stagnation and algal blooms.
• Use native aquatic and marginal plants to improve water quality and habitat value.
• Manage vegetation rotationally to balance flow, structure and biodiversity.
• Monitor water quality and inspect regularly for pollution risks.
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation (Water Resources Act, Environmental Permitting Regulations, Flood and Water Management Act, Water Framework Directive).

Ecological benefits include: Rapid colonisation by amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, birds, bats and mammals, with watercourses acting as vital wildlife corridors.