What's With The Floating Islands On Covell Lake In Sioux Falls?

If you visit Covell Lake in Sioux Falls this summer and happen to notice what appears to be small habitat islands floating on the lake, you're not imagining things; there are little islands out there floating around on the lake inside Terrace Park.

The reason they're out there is due to a collaboration between CNH Industrial and the nonprofit group Friends of the Big Sioux River.

Pigeon 605 reports, it's all part of a biodiversity and waterway health project.

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The two groups have been discussing the placement of floating islands on Covell Lake for about the last six months. They got around to making it a reality on Friday, June 6.

What are floating islands made out of?

They're actually constructed out of PVC pipes that are glued together to form a 6-by-7-foot structure. According to Pigeon 605, Coco coir, a natural fiber made from the husk of coconuts, is enclosed in a burlap fabric to serve as a growing medium. Plants will grow on the panels placed on each island. The nutrients needed will be taken from the water as the roots of the plants dangle below the surface. Each island panel is anchored to the bottom of the lake.

The various island panels can support an estimated dry weight of almost 800 pounds per panel.

All of the Covell Lake floating islands contain unique plant life.

As Pigeon 605 reports, one island will contain just wetland plants, two with completely native prairie plants, and one with a mix of both.

The floating islands offer a number of benefits.

Aside from improving water quality, the islands will provide benefits for surrounding wildlife. Once the flowers are in bloom, bees, butterflies, and other insects will be able to use them as pollinator plots. The plant life on the islands will also contain several benefits for birds and the fish population at Covell Lake.

Pigeon 605 says these same types of floating islands might be placed on the Big Sioux River in the future.

CNH Industrial and the Friends of the Big Sioux River are hoping the Covell Lake waterway initiative will help to inspire environmental sustainability in the future in Sioux Falls.

Both environmental partners encourage the residents of the Sioux Empire to take a little time this summer to stop by Covell Lake and see the floating islands in action.

Get the complete backstory on the Covell Lake floating islands by checking out Pigeon 605.

Source: Pigeon 605

Best Hiking Trails Around Sioux Falls

There's nothing like spending a few hours outdoors enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer. And what better place to explore but right in your own backyard?

The Sioux Falls area has some fantastic hiking trails. Thanks to Experience Sioux Falls and their hiking guide we can start exploring today.

What a great resource, Experience Sioux Falls is really on top of everything our city has to offer and that includes scenic outdoor fun.

You may think that all these places are part of a state park. Well, some are which require a State Park sticker to enter. And some you don't.

32 Things to Do in Sioux Falls This Summer That Are Absolutely Free!

Sure, there are tons of things to do in the Sioux Empire every summer, but if your entertainment budget is small (or zero), we have the solution - actually, we have lots of solutions.

Here is a list of family-friendly (and some, just adult-friendly) events happening this summer in the Sioux Falls area that you should check out. Oh, the best part, everything on this list is FREE.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown

Filed Under: Sioux Falls