Dock Saunders Pond Westminster Ponds ESA

As a Kettle Pond this water is only filled to my knowledge with rain water and storm water drainage from the surrounding area. There are likely a few springs in this region as the area has been heavily influenced by glacial deposits. It does drain out into Tumbleson Pond which overflows into a marsh and then drains to Dingman Creek a tributary to the Thames River.

A great amount of pedestrian traffic visits the dock and the surrounding trails here, but the area is also influenced by significant transportation pressures due to the presence of Wellington, Commissioners and Southdale Roads. Two of London's busiest intersections lie within 500 m of this marsh. Considerable garbage is blown into and collected in the area, several camping sites set up by homeless people have been identified and removed over the last years with the accumulation of syringes and related drug paraphernalia.

As many people visit this dock from surrounding hospitals and passers through the information centre, great amounts of garbage accumulate here. It is heartbreaking actually! Limited garbage containers on site are often found overflowing. Much of this finds its way into the water.