Arden Pond, a 150-acre open-water gem nestled within the William B. Pond Recreation Area in Sacramento, serves as a vital nighttime roosting site for hundreds of migratory waterbirds during the winter months. Its calm waters and abundant wildlife make it a cherished destination—not only for birds, but for the community, too. Anglers of all abilities flock to its accessible fishing deck and shoreline casting spots to enjoy the tranquility and the thrill of the catch.
However, in recent years, Arden Pond has been under threat from an aggressive invader: aquatic primrose. This invasive plant has spread rapidly along the shoreline and into shallow waters, choking critical fish habitat and snagging fishing gear at every turn. Anglers frequently find their line snags, and the line is cut loose and left to drift—creating dangerous mats of line and hooks that entangle waterbirds and hook beavers, otters, deer, and other wildlife who drink from and live in the pond.
Removing this resilient plant is no easy task. Chemical treatments are harmful to fish and aquatic life, and mechanical removal can destroy delicate habitat. That’s why, in December, the Waterbird Habitat Project teamed up with River City Water Alliance and American River Lost and Found for an ambitious volunteer-led cleanup effort. Braving frigid winter temperatures, volunteers donned wetsuits and used boats, canoes, kayaks, grappling hooks, magnets, and rakes to manually remove over 9,000 pounds of aquatic primrose—much of it tangled with lost fishing gear. Sacramento County Parks ensured the invasive plants were properly disposed of.
Our work received high praise from California Boating and Waterways, who called it “the most ecologically sound method of removal” they’ve seen, proof that community-led conservation can have a lasting impact.
Still, as expected, the primrose returned in full force this spring. Not only does it make fishing difficult, but it also depletes oxygen in the water and restricts the shallow areas juvenile salmon and trout depend on to escape predators.
Thankfully, we’re not fighting this alone. In partnership with Sacramento County Parks, we’ve joined forces with the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to continue the battle. In just the first two weeks of June, the CCC team has helped us remove over seven full dump trucks’ worth of primrose—along with bags of discarded fishing gear that could otherwise endanger waterbirds and wildlife.
Our goal is to clear the entire pond by fall, restoring this essential habitat for fish, birds, and the community alike.
Join the Effort!
We’re excited to invite the community to a Magnet Fishing Party on July 12! Hosted in collaboration with American River Lost and Found, this event is a fun, family-friendly way to help us remove lost gear from the pond. Magnets will be provided—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to help make a difference.
Together, we can restore Arden Pond to a place where wildlife thrives and people of all abilities can continue to enjoy the beauty and bounty of this special waterway.