Introduction: A New Phase for Lake Research
After more than a year of planning, a dedicated research team is launching the next phase of a long-term study of lake health. The project centers on two floating wetlands—small islands built from steel cages and thick coco fiber logs (coir)—that will drift on Lake Decatur. These living laboratories are designed to reveal how floating wetlands influence nutrient levels, sediment dynamics, and habitat structure across lake systems nationwide.
Design and Planning: From Lab to Lake
Before the first raft touched the water, the team conducted rigorous lab work to inform every planting decision. By testing native plant species in the Ecohydraulics and Ecomorphodynamics Laboratory at the University of Illinois, researchers evaluated root strength under simulated water flow and considered how different roots might alter lake bottom sediment. The resulting planting plan places nine native species in defined rows within the coir logs, a deliberate arrangement intended to maximize root protection in higher-flow conditions and to help researchers identify species-specific effects in future studies.
Construction: Building the Floating Rafts
The living laboratories are simple yet robust: steel frames wrapped with coils of coir securely hold the plantings in place. At the dock, rows of nine native species are inserted into the coir logs, and bright orange buoys mark the rafts for visibility to passing boaters. To protect the plants from hungry geese, a small fence is installed around each raft. The frames have no elevated platforms; they are designed to support the plants as they grow and develop their root structures.
Deployment: Launch and Navigation on the Lake
With careful teamwork, the rafts are lifted and lowered into the lake. The operation is a satisfying test of Archimedes’ principle—the rafts float exactly as planned, keeping roots submerged to sustain healthy establishment. The first journey to the anchoring site is less a straight line and more a slow, meandering voyage as the raft contends with wind, current, and boat wake. Upon arrival, researchers assess the anchorage and orientation, reposition a few plants if needed, and perform a brief bathymetric check to confirm the depth beneath the raft. After securing the first site, the team repeats the process with the second floating wetland, adjusting plans based on early observations.
Ongoing Research Goals: What Will We Learn?
In the coming weeks, plant roots will extend through the coir logs into the water below, enabling researchers to test core hypotheses about floating wetlands. How will root systems interact with lake currents and suspended sediments? Will these roots alter erosion or deposition patterns around the rafts? And what kinds of aquatic habitat will emerge in and around these floating wetlands?
Initial Impacts and Future Steps
Early observations will focus on root penetration, plant health, and the immediate effects on near-raft sediment dynamics. Over time, researchers expect to quantify nutrient uptake, changes in sediment stability, and shifts in microhabitats that could benefit aquatic organisms. The design allows for repeatable measurements across different lake conditions, enabling nationwide comparisons and more informed lake-management practices.
Conclusion: A Living Laboratory with Real Potential
These floating wetlands on Lake Decatur embody a practical, scalable approach to understanding complex lake processes. By combining careful lab-inspired planting decisions with on-the-water deployment and monitoring, the team seeks to illuminate how floating wetland ecosystems influence water quality, sediment transport, and habitat provision. As the plants grow and roots weave through the coir, researchers will soon begin testing and refining their hypotheses—pushing forward the science of ecologically informed lake management.
