Upscale Neighborhood Voices Concerns Over Murky Pond Hosting Endangered Wildlife

The residents of a country club are voicing concerns that a long-neglected pond is diminishing their property’s worth, despite the fact that it provides a habitat for a protected species.

Situated in California, the Tri-Valley area features some of the most sought-after real estate, with properties in upscale communities like Blackhawk fetching millions.

Once a picturesque feature, a pond at the Blackhawk golf course that boasted a beautiful waterfall is now stagnant and overgrown with algae, leading residents to describe it as an ‘eyesore.’

“They just drive by it every day, see how terrible it is, see how much it’s ruined the property values, it’s ruined the signature golf hole,” said Will Pickering, Blackhawk Country Club’s chief operating officer, in an interview with the SF Chronicle.

“The course and the clubhouse are named ‘The Falls’ after the waterfall that has been dry for several years,” Pickering added.

Its deterioration has been ongoing. The Blackhawk Country Club, which oversees the pond, attempted renovations but halted them after a worker discovered a federally protected red-legged frog living there in 2019. 

All restoration plans were put on hold since, and now residents believe its poor condition is lowering their property values. 

A beloved pond at the Blackhawk golf course in California once featured a pristine waterfall but now sits static

The Red-legged frog, listed as a threatened species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, was found in the country club’s pond and put a halt on all renovations

The country club has authority over the pond, but restoring it isn’t as simple as it seems. 

The Blackhawk Homeowners Association technically owns the waterfall that once flowed into the pond, while the Blackhawk Geological Hazard Abatement District is responsible for maintaining West Alamo Creek, the stream that runs through it. 

The three groups have had to jump through county, state, and federal hoops to try to resolve the pond’s issues, and they had made progress on renovations until the endangered frog was discovered seven years ago.

They all ditched the costly project at the time, but a new plan is brewing – though it could easily top $2 million. 

The club and Hazard District are pushing forward this time, without the HOA and it’s unclear why. The HOA board has not responded to the outlet’s requests for comment.

The two will split the cost, with the club covering two-thirds to make up for the HOA’s share. 

They estimate dredging the pond could cost $2 million, plus ongoing maintenance, and a biologist will be hired to oversee the frogs.

Consultants were hired to help them adhere to the rules and obtain necessary permits. 

The Blackhawk Country Club Falls Course, which has been dealing with the pond contamination

Blackhawk Gated Luxury up-scale housing community. Overview from golf course country club of luxury housing

Vincent D’Alo, a principal surveyor at Aliquot Associates, is helping the club. His team plans to move the frogs to a safe corner of the pond and fence them off during dredging.

In the next two months, they’ll submit permit applications, which can take up to eight months for approval. But once cleared, pond repairs can begin.

Pickering said that doesn’t include the waterfall, since the club has no authority over it.

Residents are willing to help cover the costs and hope to see a flowing waterfall into the pond as the final result. 

‘I’d like to see both come together and be part of the total solution,’ David Bowlby, a Blackhawk resident, told the outlet.