So… Why is the Lake Murky? And What are the Rats?
By LARRY BONILLA/Staff Writer
Following an icy winter break, students and faculty returned to the university for the new semester expecting the campus to look the same as they left it. However, that’s not quite what happened. The Upper Pond (commonly called “The Science Lake”) was suddenly a new color, and with it came the emergence of new friends: Nutrias!
One of the nutrias that live on campus. Photo courtesy of Alex Kesinger.
These changes do make one wonder what occurred while we were on break, and how these changes have impacted the campus. So one quiet Wednesday afternoon, I made my way to the Biology building to find those who could give me insight into the matter. The meeting I arranged was with Dr. Lance Williams and Adjunct Lecturer Marsha Williams in Dr. Lance Williams’ office, BEP-129.
In our conversations, I brought up the lake’s “muskrats” and that is when I learned that their correct and common name is actually Nutria.
“I think they [the nutrias] have just found our pond,” says Jessica Coleman, a senior lecturer. “[The campus pond] is a good environment for food and some habitat support.”
“They [nutrias] are harmless,” said Williams. From her observations of the family of nutrias on campus, she added, “they are not afraid of people. I’ve seen people walking around them and they just ignore them and keep swimming and playing.”
I asked Williams and Coleman if feeding the nutrias should be discouraged.
The Upper Pond. Photo courtesy of Alex Kesinger.
“They [students] really shouldn’t feed any wildlife because it will create problems,” said Coleman. “Feeding the squirrels, feeding the racoons, feeding the nutria—it will really create problems for an urban environment. Not only for their [the wildlife’s] health but also for the safety of individuals.”
Coleman says that, if students want to feed the ducks, they should be fed grain.
“Not refined white bread. Refined white bread is not good for anyone,” Williams added. “Squirrels did not evolve to eat french fries.”
According to Williams, the main reason for the discoloration of the pond is construction from the new nursing building.
“The construction causes run off to the pond, and that’s why the color [of the pond] is a little red,” she said.
“They have always put construction fencing around, and that protects against your… half an inch of rain. But, when you get four-five inches at once, it’s going to go around the fence, over the fence, under the fence; water is just going to do its thing,” said Dr. Lance Williams.
After a very educational conversation with the Biology department, I decided to end by asking how important the lake is for the campus.
“Most of everything that we do is we use it for not only teaching, but we also use it for research,” said Coleman, “and it is valuable to our department, as it should be valuable to all the students.”