Stop 8: Wonderful Water Lilies
Stop 8: Wonderful Water Lilies
The Cologne Community rain gardens sit near the fountain on the northern side of the lake. These gardens were constructed in 2011 to help catch stormwater runoff and remove pollutants while providing a beautiful area for the people of Cologne to spend time in. Rain gardens are lower depression gardens planted with water-loving, native plants that catch stormwater runoff and allow it to soak into the soil while removing pollutants. The native plants filter and use the water flowing into the rain gardens. These gardens protect Benton Lake from runoff and are designed to drain within 48 hours after a rain event. The project was completed with the help of the Carver County Water Management Organization, the Cologne Lions Club, and the Carver County Horticultural Society in association with the City of Cologne. Some plants living in the garden include Golden Alexander, Prairie Dropseed, Little Bluestem, and Purple Prairie Clover. Many other beautiful plants can be found in the garden, making it a great place to relax. Community members also volunteer in the garden to maintain and keep it healthy. Make sure to visit this wonderful area after getting out of the water!
In addition to the plants in the rain garden, many other plants live near the shore and underwater within Benton Lake. One of the most recognizable plants is the Yellow Waterlily. Along the southeast edge of the lake near the end of the tour, there is a patch of this beautiful flower. -Delete You can also find Blueflag Iris, Common Milkweed, and Broadleaf Arrowhead, which serve as food and shelter for the many animals living in Benton Lake.
This side of the lake is more residential so you may see different animals and plants than the north shore. As we near the end of the tour, keep an eye out for the water lilies growing near the start of the walking path. They grow from lily pads and are not in many areas around Benton Lake, so please do not damage them. These beautiful flowers are a highlight of the tour and provide shelter and food for many animals around the lake. If you’re lucky, you may see animals on or near the lily pads themselves.
Water lilies grow in still or quiet waters with shallow depths. They only open their flowers for three days at a time. On the first day, the flower structure called the stigma receives pollen from other flowers. On the second and third days, the flower produces pollen for other flowers in the area. Insects like beetles and bees pick up the pollen when visiting the flowers and move it around. After distributing the pollen, the flower sinks underwater, and the seeds mature to be eaten by waterfowl and spread around the area.
As you have seen, many plants and animals call Benton Lake home. It is a place to be enjoyed by all, and with our continued efforts people will enjoy it for many years to come. The Benton Lake Watershed Conservancy has done great work improving the quality of the lake and will keep working every day. Tell your family and friends about what you’ve learned and experienced today, and encourage them to visit Benton Lake themselves!
Thank you for joining me on this tour of Benton Lake. I hope you enjoyed your experience and that you come back soon. When you disembark, please be a good steward of Minnesota waters by cleaning your craft and depositing trash in the bins provided. Be sure to visit often because as the season changes, so do the experiences that the lake holds. For more information, visit us on Facebook at BentonLakeWC, or tag us in your photos from today with the hashtag BentonLakeAudioTour. I hope to see you on the water again soon!
