FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The U.S.S. Eddy, a prototype floating island, launched off the shore of a catchment basin at the North Fort Cavazos tactical vehicle wash facility here. Helping to reduce contaminants and improve the ecosystem, the project was the brainchild of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Mobilization Branch.
“We wanted to ensure that we did a water quality improvement project to help make Fort Cavazos the leading element for change and environmental protection,” Bob Reister, chief of mobilization for DPTMS, said. “In coordination with the Adaptive and Integrative Management Team, we came up with a design for a floating island.”
Reister explained high pressure water from the wash facility is used it to clean dirt, oil, fluid and other contaminants from tracked vehicles. The facility’s drainage system collects water in a catchment basin where sediment settles to the bottom and then the water is recycled for reuse.
“The floating island will operate as a natural wetland filter, helping to improve the water quality of fine, emulsified contaminants found in the catchment basin,” he added.
Brad Burden, biologist for the AIM Team, further explained that the floating island will provide a range of ecosystem services that include water filtration, habitat enhancement, food production and resting areas.
“Floating islands are a sustainable approach to bioremediation, improving water quality and reducing algae,” he said. “These islands will clean the water naturally by removing contaminants through filtration and nutrient cycling.”
The island design is basic. The 11 by 8-foot island platform is made up of corrugated pipes filled with recycled plastic bottles, layered with polyester screen cloth and coconut liner and topped with aquatic plant species.
Reister explained the water basin designed to help wash military equipment is full of wildlife activity featuring waterfowl, crawfish, fish, turtles, frogs, coyotes and raccoons.
“It will not only reduce environmental pollution, but it will provide some sort of small habitat for wildlife,” he said.
Burden collected native horsetails, pennywort and sedges to transplant onto the island.
“The tactical vehicle wash facility footprint is an area of high interest for wildlife,” he said. “The floating island is a way to increase water quality and support native wildlife by implementing native plants and a place for them to go onto for food and safety.”
DPTMS and the AIM Team will monitor the progress of the floating island for best management practices and opportunities for design improvements and efficiencies, as the long-term goal is to assemble and launch up to 20 floating islands.
“This is a big passion project for DPTMS,” Burden said. “We all share the very common interests of supporting native wildlife and recognize the importance of addressing habitat restoration.”
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