The underwater dome at Indian Springs Metropark in Springfield Township is only now ready for opening.
No one told the frogs, though.
‘Nature doesn’t wait for us,? said Paul Muelle, chief of natural resources for Huron County Metroparks. ‘It’s a neat situation.?
‘Animal life is working its way into the pond,? said Steve Horn, Indian Springs supervising interpreter. ‘Some frogs and pollywogs and a few turtles are already in the pond, even though the pond is still in the beginning stages of growth.?
The acrylic dome weighs 18,800 pounds, measuring nearly 20 feet in diameter and nine feet tall. It offers an underwater view of the 1.7 acre pond at the Environmental Discovery Center at Indian Springs. The dome connects to the center through a 20-foot tunnel.
‘The kids will get a close-up look at the flora and fauna in the water,? said Mike George, chief of interpretive services.
Metroparks are working with local schools and universities to host learning opportunities for students. They include observations from inside the dome, and collection and analysis of pond water outside.
‘Zoos are very controlled ? this is a natural fresh-water system,? Muelle said. ‘It’s what actually happens in lakes and ponds.?
Animals and plants will come and go along with the seasons and other changing factors, he said.
‘It will be interesting to see what will happen in winter, under the ice,? he said.
More than 100 logs and stumps, and tons of rock and sand were placed in the pond to create a habitat for fish and other organisms. The man-made pond is modeled after a kettle pond, carved out throughout Michigan by receding glaciers.
‘It could very well take a few years for the pond to mature. Our goal is for fish to be able to live in the pond by fall,? said Paul Muelle, chief of natural resources.
Naturalists will ‘jump start? life in the pond in stages. First will be insect nymphs, worms, and plankton, collected from northern Michigan lakes. More than 10,000 plants, including 12 varieties of wetland species, will be planted starting this week. Finally, native Michigan fish will be added.
Reynolds Technologies of Colorado manufactured the dome, which, along with related structures, cost $1 million, funded by the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority. SmithGroup of Detroit designed the building, which was completed last year.
The pond is part of a network of education opportunities at the park, in life science, earth science and technology.
Entry permits are $20/annual, $4/daily. For more information, call 248-625-6640.