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I go and read Frosts Mending Wall, since there is time for poetry again. But his spirit of bemused doubt now strikes the wrong note; the poets polite acquiescence to his patrician, wall-loving neighbor has lost its New England gentility. Its not hunters making the holes in walls anymore, as he has it in the poem. Its the hunted. And mostly they fail to make it through, and instead get crushed up against the walls, as happens in a stampede. There are 26 million refugees in the world and nearly 46 million internally displaced people. There is no patience left for this beautiful poem anymore, is what I think, shutting the book and replacing it on the shelf. Not in this burning, ravaged world.

I think of all the ancient walls in the Mediterranean, in the Levant, built to terrace the land, so that it could grow grapes and olives, and which the millenniums have worn down and crumbled, have kicked in like teeth. Not long ago, Reuters reported that the chief rabbi of the Western Wall said that Jews should refrain from kissing its stones, so as not to spread the virus. That there is a chief rabbi suggests that this broken old section of retaining wall, whose holiness is born only of proximity, has more than one rabbi assigned to it. In any case, no one listens to the rabbi or rabbis of the holy wall: Everyone is still putting their lips to it.

The house is quiet. My children are busy trading emeralds for pigs. In a magazine, I encounter the phrase moral injury. The article, written by a war correspondent who has reported from conflict zones for 30 years, describes a condition that has come to light in her line of work. A moral injury, as defined by the expert psychologist quoted in the article, is a wound on the soul, an affront to your moral compass based on your own behavior and the things you have failed to do. There is a pandemic of moral injury, I think: It is impossible to read about the state of the world anymore without feeling a wound on the soul, an affront to our moral compasses based on our own behavior and the things we have failed to do.

I do a search of the journalist who wrote the article and discover her TED Talk. This is how war starts, she says. One day, you are living your ordinary life, youre planning to go to a party, youre taking your children to school, youre making a dentist appointment. The next thing, the telephones go out, the TVs go out, theres armed men on the street, theres road blocks, your life as you know it goes into suspended animation. She tells the story of a friend who was walking down a street in Sarajevo, in Bosnia, in April 1992, wearing a miniskirt and high heels, on her way to her job at a bank, when suddenly she saw a tank coming down the main road, knocking down everything in its path. She hid behind a trash can, feeling ridiculous. A few weeks later she was in a crowd of people, holding up her infant son and pushing to give him to a stranger on one of the last buses leaving Sarajevo to take children to safety. She struggled to get to the front. Everyone was yelling, Take my child, take mine! At last she managed to pass her son through a window of the bus. She didnt see him again for years.

My own children are now asleep upstairs, along with the dog. Not the one they feed in Minecraft, but the one I feed here, in our shared reality. They are too big for me to be able to pass them through the window of a bus, or to carry them at all. If a civil war breaks out, they will need to be able to walk or run themselves.

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Were Living in a World of Walls. Here Is a Window to Escape. - The New York Times

Oct. 26, 2020 By Allie Griffin

An effort to revitalize the neglected Hallets Cove peninsula along the Astoria waterfront will begin this winter, local Council Member Costa Constantinides announced Monday.

Construction crews will remove a nearly-70-year-old decaying pier at the site and plant new wetland vegetation in its place to restore its natural ecology.

Theyll also clean the litter dumped along the riverbank, cut down trees that have grown within the sites retaining wall and replace a chain link fence with a new railing.

Constantinides has sought to clean up the cove since he took office in 2014. He has allocated $1 million to the revitalization project since 2015 and former Borough President Melinda Katz invested another $3 million.

The days of Hallets Cove as a crumbling dumping ground are over, Constantinides said.

His office partnered with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the Queens Borough President and the Mayors Office to make the project a reality.

Thanks to our partnership with the EDC, the Queens Borough President, the Mayors Office, and the surrounding community, we will make good on a promise to reimagine this waterfront by restoring its ecology, Constantinides said. Im so excited we can get back to work and realize this vision for western Queens.

The council member hopes the upgrades will improve the quality of life for nearby residents of the Astoria Houses.

The residents at the Astoria Houses and the entire north western Queens neighborhood are excited to see this project get off the ground, said Claudia Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Residents Association.

As a lifelong Astoria Houses resident and a lover of the outdoors, Im especially grateful to see these beginning stages of our waterfronts revival and restoration.

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Revitalization of Astoria's Hallets Cove Waterfront to Begin This Winter - Astoria Post

It is Government 101: Protect the citizenry and allow them to flush their toilets.

From left, EPA Region 4 administrator Mary Walker, EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb Watershed Management Director Reggie Wells and DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson pose for a photo following a Monday morning press conference to discuss a $265 million loan that will pay for sewer repairs in DeKalb County. SPECIAL PHOTO PROVIDED BY EPA

Thurmond said that 59 miles of new sewer trunk line (the big uns) will be installed in the county, including 41 miles in southwest DeKalb, where the most and the worst sewer spills occur. So much of the work must be done there partly because it has some of the oldest and most deteriorating lines.

The other part of it is race, Thurmond said. You dont make significant investments in lower-income minority communities. They were complaining but their voices were not being heard.

I get why people are frustrated, he added. You dont have any easy answer. (The fixes) are expensive and time consuming.

Its good news that DeKalb is finally getting on with it. Thurmond likes to say the work has accelerated since 2017. By the way, that is when he came to office. He says $800 million in repairs have happened since then, compared to just $300 million before. Part of that is a new leader recognizing this had to be done. And part of it is a government that has slowly pulled itself out of a morass of its own making.

In 2013, the courts released a grand jury investigation into corruption in DeKalb. It found evidence of endemic incompetence, patronage, fraud and cronyism in the government. The digging started when a DeKalb grease-trap inspector got caught taking bribes from restaurants.

Then-District Attorney Robert James initially focused his investigation on work connected to the $1.35 billion in capital improvement projects with the sewers. When you have that kind of money around, he figured, funny stuff happens.

Water and sewer upgrades are planned across DeKalb County, including at the Snapfinger Creek Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility in Decatur. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

After the grand jury report came out, I was assigned to look into the findings. I decided to start by examining the first major contract awarded in this enterprise. It was $7.7 million to an engineering firm for work at the new Snapfinger Creek Wastewater Plant in south DeKalb. But the hiring of the small, obscure firm raised several questions. When AJC reporter April Hunt and I raised some of those questions to county officials, they let the firm go. And then the county had to rebuild a retaining wall because of shoddy work.

It went on like that. Stuff was screwed up from the start. Literally.

The investigation ended with the prosecution, conviction and imprisonment of then-CEO Burrell Ellis on tangential charges. The higher courts later overturned his case.

But over the years, three more of the seven county commissioners were indicted on various corruption charges, and DeKalb couldnt get out of its own way. The sewer revitalization project languished. During this time, the county burned through $80 million in interest on the money borrowed for the projects.

In 2015, DeKalbs interim CEO Lee May hired Scott Towler to oversee the sewer project. In interviews with those who worked with Towler, I was told he was a hard-charging, square manager who started getting the county focused on the job.

However, Towler ran into trouble with higher-ups when he started complaining that businesses were hooked up to DeKalbs system, even though there wasnt the sewer capacity for it. This was a touchy subject because no government entity wants to have its hands tied when bringing in development.

A year later, Towler was gone, leaving behind a letter blasting the county for, he said, making him bend the rules. Thurmonds office called him a disgruntled ex-employee who was double-dipping with his car allowance.

He later settled a whistleblower lawsuit for $40,000.

Commissioner Nancy Jester, who jumped headlong into the sewer issue after coming on the board in 2015, said: Scott Towler was crucial in changing the course in making DeKalb compliant. He was the necessary manager. Anyone who says otherwise is not clear on what happened. He ran up against politics.

Now, DeKalb is barreling forward, again, with a plan to fix its sewers even though critics like Jacqueline Echols, head of the South River Watershed Alliance, said the county has dragged its feet in trying to forthrightly face the issue. Her organization last year filed suit in federal court, saying the county was not doing enough to prevent spills. Her org said DeKalb was not being held responsible when it spills.

Between 2012 and 2019, the county reported 1,297 spills and paid $859,000 in fines an average of $662 per spill. Thats like a bad speeding ticket.

They could fine you $10 million, but thats $10 million you cant use to fix it, Thurmond said.

He added that no rate increase is in the offing for the near future. The county had several increases a decade ago. But commissioners say a hike is inevitable.

Zack Buersmeyer, a Tucker resident, has complained for years about sewer spills on his property and has used urinal cakes outside to help quell the smell. His property, next to South Fork Peachtree Creek, was on a 2017 list for sewer repairs. He said the county has three times in the past decade brought bulldozers to his property and taken down trees to allow work to be done on a sewer line behind his home. Theyve also been there many other times for minor repairs. Crews were out there again Tuesday.

Theres been so many changes with personnel; it seems like they start from scratch every three years, he said. But its just been a Band-Aid. Id like to see it future-proofed so they dont have to come back.

Not to worry, CEO Thurmond swears its a new day in DeKalb.

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OPINION: Flushed with pride that fix is in, finally, for DeKalb sewers - Atlanta Journal Constitution

A section of 1st Avenue (in light orange on the map at top) will undergo major reconstruction later this month. Detours will be marked

COLLEGEVILLE PA A portion of Route 29 from the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel, at the intersection of Main Street and 1st Avenue, north to Transfleet Concrete at 101 1st Ave. will be closed between Oct. 30 (2020; Friday) and Nov. 14 (Saturday) so contractors can complete renovations related to the realignment of the state-owned highway, the Collegeville Economic Development Corp. reported.

Improvements to the short stretch of highway coincide with the construction of a new Royal Farms convenience store (below) and fuel station near the intersection, and its accompanying changes to the roadway to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents an Main and 1st and 2nd avenues. The road will be closed to ensure the safety of residents and businesses located there, and the safety of those who will be working below-grade within feet of traffic, a CEDC blog post stated Friday (Oct. 23).

It said construction crews will install a more solid base under the road. They also need to complete a water main extension, do storm water work, build a retaining wall, curbing, sidewalks and full depth paving. Theres a rush to complete those projects before weather turns colder in mid-November, the blog added.

Detour routes are set and will be signed, CEDC said, but also advised we recommend you use a GPS tool like Google Maps to find efficient ways to get around.

Photo by The Post; map from Google Maps

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Reconstruction Ahead on Collegeville 1st Avenue - The Post - The Sanatoga Post

Staff reports| Herald Democrat

This week, The Texas Department of Transportation will begin its annual crack sealing operations in Grayson County. Throughout the process, there will be daytime lane closures.

In a news release issued by TxDOT, officials said delays along certain roadways can be expected.

"The following roadways in Grayson County will be crack sealed this year; Business US 377D in Tioga, Business US 377C in Collinsville, SH 289 from the Collin County line to US 82, FM 996 from FM 120 to FM 1417, SH 91 from US 75 to FM 1310, the US 82 frontage road in Sherman, FM 120 from FM 1753 to the Oklahoma State line, FM 1897 from SU 69 to the end of State maintenance, FM 898 from SH 11 to the Fannin County line, FM 121 from FM 3356 to SH 289, FM 120 in Pottsboro from Chrissa Drive to Vine St. and the US 75 frontage roads from FM 902 to the Collin County line," the release said.

Along with this special project, Texoma roadways will receive their regular maintenance as part of long term TxDOT projects.

"These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues," the same release said. "Motoristsare advised toremain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems."

The following roads will be under construction this week:

"US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed in order for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. The southbound Washington Street exit ramp will be closed beginning October 25th as crews work on the frontage road between Preston Drive and Pecan St. Exiting traffic wishing to access Washington Street should use the North Travis Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.

The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.

US 75 Full Depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete slabs. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.

FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.

FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the temporary detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.

US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.

US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented where westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM 691. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691.

Spur 503, Grayson County: from US 75 to SH 91. Watch for daytime and nighttime lane closures for both eastbound and westbound lanes as crews perform concrete pavement repairs.

US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.

US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.

US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.

SH 289, Grayson County: between SH 56 and FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.

FM 121, Grayson County: from SH 289 to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lanes closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.

SH 160, Grayson County: between SH 11 and the Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.

FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Fannin County is beginning. Daytime lane closures will be present during the crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Fannin County will be crack sealed this year; FM 1396 from SH 78 to FM 2029, FM 1752 from US 82 to FM 1753, US 82 from SH 121 to the Grayson County line, SH 11 from SH 121 to SH 78, SH 78 from SH 11 to US 69, and FM 68 from SH 78 to SH 34.

FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.

US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided section. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin and Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews work on the inside lane to work on building the crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to signalized intersections. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.

County Road 3530, Fannin County: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new culvert. Traffic on CR 3530 will need to use an alternate route during construction.

County Road 4250, Fannin County: at Freeman Creek. County Road 4250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4250 will need to use an alternate route during construction.

FM 1550, Fannin County: from FM 271 to FM 2077: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs.

FM 897, Fannin County: in Lannius from US 82 to CR 2950. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform ditch cleaning work."

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Road crack sealing operations to begin in GC; other road reports - Sherman Denison Herald Democrat

U.S. Navy Adm. William H. McRaven speaks to special operations commanders during a commander's call at King Auditorium on Hurlburt Field in Florida in 2012.

Adm. William H. McRaven has had more than his fair share of heart-stopping moments.

As a member and leader of the Navy SEALs for 37 years, McRaven took part in hundreds and oversaw thousands of missions that put his own life and the lives of his fellow service members in peril, including the 2011 raid that ended in the killing of Osama bin Laden.

From the agony of basic training as a SEAL to jumping out of hundreds of planes into the darkness, all of McRavens time spent staring down danger have given him some clarity on the nature of fear.

If youre not afraid, thats not a good sign, McRaven told the audience on Wednesdays Walker Webcast, hosted by Willy Walker, chairman and CEO of Walker & Dunlop. Fear focuses you. It sharpens your perceptions of everything around you. As you do events over and over again, you learn to manage it and turn it to your advantage.

The first time he jumped out of an airplane, McRaven said, he was scared to death. After dozens of jumps, he still felt fear, but the fear focused him on making sure he did his best to lower the potential that anything could go wrong.

One memorable jump over the Philippines, on the date of his first anniversary with his wife, Georgeann, McRaven added another coping mechanism. As he prepared to launch himself out of the plane, he started singing the Little River Bands Happy Anniversary to himself. He still sings the song, which he calls silly, to himself every time he jumps to stay calm.

Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, also a former University of Texas chancellor, on the Walker Webcast.

In the years after his military service, as chancellor of the University of Texas, McRaven came to be known for his belief in the power of small rituals. In a 2014 commencement speech to the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin, which has since racked up tens of millions of views on YouTube, he explained how having to make his bed to perfection every morning of SEAL training instilled in him diligent habits and pride in accomplishing tasks, no matter how small.

But McRavens career has been just as defined by a handful of big decisions. On the Walker Webcast,he described the last meeting that he had with then-President Barack Obama before the raid on the walled compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden was suspected to be living.

For weeks, United States National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter and the intelligence staff in the room had been tracking a man they dubbed the pacer make daily walks around the compound courtyard.

The president asked Leiter if he thought it was bin Laden, and Leiter said there was about a 40% to 60% chance it was him, McRaven said. Right then, I didnt think the president would pull the trigger on it. It was a gamble, and he knew that he was betting his own political future on this, not to mention risking the lives of the SEALs and Army aviators going in.

Walker & Dunlop CEO Willy Walker on a webinar with Adm. William H. McRaven

When Obama did give the go-ahead order, it fell to McRaven to mitigate the risk to the lives of his fellow Navy SEALs. The process for that, he said, was to break down the raid into thousands of discrete steps, imagine all the ways things could possibly go wrong, and come up with thousands of contingency plans.

People think of Navy SEALs as cavalier about the risks that we take, McRaven said. Nothing could be further from the truth. You always have to think through the worst-case events and make backup plans. You never want to find yourself in the middle of a worst-case scenario not having thought through it. Its not enough to have plans B and C.

As part of the bin Laden raid, the SEALs stationed two backup helicopters just on the Afghan side of the Pakistani border. As the raid unfolded, one helicopter clipped the retaining wall of the compound with its tail, grounding it. Without those backups, service members could have been stranded in the compound.

There was not a single plan that didnt involve backup helicopters, McRaven said.

Hesaid the iconic image of Obama and members of his staff watching the raid was captured soon after it became clear that one of the helicopters had become unserviceable. Throughout the raid, McRaven himself was in communication with Air Force Lt. Gen. Marshall Bradley Webb, who sits at the center of the picture.

Members of the Obama administration watch the progress of the Osama bin Laden raid from the situation room in the White House. Lt. Gen. Marshall B. "Brad" Webb, in uniform, center, was in contact with Adm. William H. McRaven throughout the raid.

It was McRaven who was tasked with identifying bin Ladens body once the remains had been flown back to the staging ground for the raid, and reporting to Obama that the mission had been successful.

But as important and historic as the raid was, McRavensaid that it was only one of 11 special operations undertaken by the SEALs that night. On a typical night, McRaven oversaw 20 to 25 operations from Afghanistan. During his time in Iraq, the number was closer to 40.

We worked on a two-team rotation, McRaven said. Every other night, this group of guys would be getting on a helicopter and going into harms way. You want to talk about heroism? That was on full display every single day. You cant help but be inspired by this next generation.

On Nov. 4, Willy will host JPMorgan's Cayman Wills andPeter Cook of the American Bankers Association. Register here for the event.

This feature was produced in collaboration between the Bisnow Branded Content Studio and Walker & Dunlop. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

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What Adm. William H. McRaven Learned About Fear And Risk During The Osama Bin Laden Raid - Bisnow

Highland Council says it will monitor the situation over the weekend.

A REMOTE Highland route affected by a fallen tree will be monitored over the weekend amid concerns about inclement weather.

The Salen and Kilchoan road on the Ardnamurchan peninsula remains open after yesterday's incident.

The single track B8007 links the two villages.

The upturned root of a fallen tree caused damage to a retaining wall.

Highland Council says it will monitor it over the weekend "along with the forecasted inclement weather".

Strong wind and heavy rain showers are forecast over the weekend.

Operatives are hoping to complete repair work on the wall on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Related: Fallen tree damages wall on remote Highland route

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Highland route affected by fallen tree to be monitored over weekend - RossShire Journal

A collection of large and small backyard pond ideas and designs... in a series of photographs. includes koi ponds, Japanese ponds, terraced ponds and more.

Welcome to our gallery featuring a selection of residential backyard water features, specifically in the form of ponds. Similar to backyard gardens, they add an extra element of beauty and relaxation to any outdoor space.

All backyard ponds are a type of man-made water feature that have a primary focus on aquatic plants, although many larger ponds may contain ornamental fish, like koi.

Not all plants are suitable for planting near or in a backyard pond, however. Youll need to grow plants that are best adapted to shallow pools and ponds. The type of plant you add to your pond will depend entirely on how deep and large your pond is.

The types of plants best suited to pond life fall into three distinct categories: submerged plants, marginal plants, and floating plants. Submerged plants are those that live almost completely under the surface. Some of these plants have leaves or flowers that grow to the surface, like a water lily. These plants are also called oxygenators, because they create oxygen for any fish in a pond.

Marginal plants live with only their roots under the water. Examples of these are irises, lotus flowers, cattail reeds, or bulrushes.

The third type, floating plants, are not anchored into the soil at all, and are free-floating at the surface of the water. In a water garden, floating plants are used to reduce algae, as the shade they provide inhibits the growth of algae. Floating plants are usually fast-growing and multiply quickly.

Backyard ponds may contain many different elements that help integrate it into the overall design of the yards landscaping, including fountains, statues, waterfalls, and boulders.

You may also see some with underwater lighting, unique edging details, or even watercourses that add visual interest to the design. Natural ponds are often times so inspiring, a home is built around them to take advantage of natures beauty.

We hope youll enjoy this gallery filled with awesome backyard ponds, and that youll be inspired to replicate some of them in your own backyard!

Find more backyard ideas in our definitive guide to backyards!

A peaceful area behind the house, featuring a small waterfall, Koi fish and beautiful potted flowers. A couple chairs and a good book is all you need for a relaxed afternoon.

A beautiful tropical pond with a tall waterfall tumbling into the pond surrounded by moss-covered slabs of stone. Just under the surface we can see koi fish.

An enormous water feature in a Japanese garden filled with bold Japanese maple trees, flowering bushes, and thick grasses. A stone lantern and a stone statue of an egret can be seen in the background. The pond itself is populated by many large koi fish.

A large pond in a Japanese garden with thick plants growing right up to the waters edge. The pond is populated by huge koi fish.

Another view of the Japanese garden with a stone lantern and heron from the pathway. The view changes as visitors walk past the tranquil scene.

A koi pond edged by hedges and maples. This view is from a curving walkway through an expansive Japanese garden.

Hidden under the trees, this Japanese garden pond feature some colorful Koi fish and lush vegetation around the pond.

Ferns and cute puppies adorn this small pond tucked away in a corner of the yard. Theres even a couple of pillows to make it more comfortable sitting by the pond.

Pink and yellow flowers cheer up this tiny garden pool. I love the colorful rocks path and the numerous types of plants around this pool of water.

Tiny pond created by stacked red colored flagstone and surrounded by lush vegetation: a perfectly relaxing spot for someone looking for a bit of time away form the daily grind.

A small two-section pond with a waterfall between the two. Both sections have small umbrella fountains. The entire pond is edged by stacked stones that help hide the black liner. Petunias, hostas, and lilies are planted around the outside of the pond, with a few water lilies on the surface.

Buy this backyard kit here.

A simple pond edged with stone bricks. At the head of the pond is a small waterfall. Daylilies and other leafy plants surround part of the pond. A metal heron statue stands in the shallows.

A shallow pond fed by a cascading fountain tucked into the stone edging. A narrow stone footbridge connects the two sides of the pathway.

This water feature focuses on the large waterfall tumbling into a small, shallow pool at the bottom. The entire structure is encased by large stones and surrounded by grasses.

A well-like garden pond with a small fountain that pours into the deeper well of water. Thick grasses drape over the stone edges. The garden is filled with stone statues and other accents.

A simple bright blue garden pond with a tall center fountain. Small enough to fit nicely in a small section of a larger garden, and as a feature piece in smaller gardens.

Buy this backyard pond kit here.

Small backyard pond surrounded by uneven rocks, is a great place for children to have some fun. Small, yet so pretty!

Peaceful garden with a little pond and a backyard pavilion to relax and entertain.

Clear water and beautiful rocks make this garden pond the perfect spot for a family gathering, where kids can hunt for rocks and have fun.

This pond, surrounded by orange and yellow toned bricks and rocks is an inviting spot. Bring your favorite garden chair and a good book to enjoy.

A large, shallow pond with a stone three-tier waterfall flowing down from a retaining pond further up. Boulders and small reeds sit in the shallow, clear water. Evergreens and daffodils line the sides, just beyond the rock edging. Source:www.davidsoncolaw.com.

A somewhat deeper, small pond with a single fountain creating ripples from the center of the water. Round stones are piled around the edges, creating a bank. Grassy plants and hardy daisy flowers are integrated into the landscaping around the pond.

A tranquil backyard pond with a few small ornamental fish, lily pads, reeds, and water lettuce. The pond is edged by both large, square boulders and smaller, round stones.

A large water garden with stacked stones around the edges and thick tufts of plants growing in patches around the outside, wherever they can get a foothold. This pond is quite a bit larger and deeper than other ponds in this collection.

A stream-like pond with a small waterfall, edged by small stones and larger boulders. Small mushroom-shaped lights add unique ambiance at night. Small leafy plants, ground cover, and taller bushes surround the water feature.

A small, shallow pond created by stacking stones. This pond is integrated into the enormous yard by a few ornamental trees, bushes, and a bed of wood chips around it. Click here for even more landscaping ideas!

A garden pond surrounded by large reddish boulders that tapers off into a shallow stream blocked by stones to keep the tiny ornamental fish in. A small crocodile toy is perched on one of the boulders.

A large backyard pond edged in flagstone that connects to the patio. A curving landscape connects to the dip in the pond.

A narrow fish pond with water lilies and lots of little red ornamental fish. A purple Japanese maple hangs over the edge. Fish can be wonderful pets! With any garden, its important to keep your pets safe by planting safe plants. Learn more about how to keep your four legged friends safe!

A simple pond with a few small ornamental fish and lilypads. Multiple small cascades run along this water feature.

A circular garden pond in the center of a manicured lawn. Planters full of white daffodils are placed equal distances apart around the perimeter of the pond. Interested in how you can design your own container garden? Click here!

A more natural-looking garden pond with a flagstone path leading up to the waters edge. A wide waterfall cascades into the main pool.

A small, shallow blue pool of water at the bottom of a cascade of stones. Water trickles down through the stones, creating the crystal clear pool at the bottom.

A beautiful backyard pond on a secluded lot. A large waterfall tumbles into the pond, which has a greenish-cast from the moss on the rocks covering the bottom. A branch across the top of the waterfall adds another natural element to this pond.

An awe-inspiring stone waterfall pouring into a shallow basin at the bottom. Small figures of ducks sit on either side of the largest cascade.

A unique pond with two tiers. The top tier has a small rock waterfall. Fields of tulips and other plants surround the rock enclosure.

A green garden pond with small maples growing along the widest side. A small stream connects to the pond and can be crossed via a small wooden footbridge.

An enormous crystal-clear gold-tinted pond with large reeds and bamboo growing on either side of the wide cascade. A bronzed figure of a fairy lays on one of the rocks.

A view from further back of the above pond, showing the drop off in the center of the bottom pond.

A deep pond at the bottom of a hill covered in cedar wood chips. A stone waterfall cascades down the hill into the pool. Stone steps lead up to the right.

A shallow garden pool with a few ornamental rocks and grasses along the pebble edging. A small terra cotta Japanese lantern sits on one edge.

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60 Backyard Pond Ideas (Photos) - Home Stratosphere

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The most likely scenario is that the global Luxury Countertops Market sales are going to be xx in 2020 from Luxury Countertops million in 2019, with a modification xx between 2019 and 2020. additionally, supported the most recent study, its to predict that the Covid-19 are going to be in restraint in key countries just like the u. s., Western Europe, East Asia. the world Luxury Countertops market size is predicted to grow at xx or additional annually for following 5 years.

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For the forecast period 2020-2026, the Luxury Countertops Market growth among segments give correct calculations and forecasts for sales by kind and by Application in terms of volume and worth. This analysis will assist you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets. Regional analysis is another extremely comprehensive a part of the analysis and analysis study of the world Luxury Countertops market given within the report. This section sheds light-weight on the sales growth of various regional and country-level Luxury Countertops markets. For the historical and forecast amount 2020 to 2026, it provides elaborate and correct country-wise volume analysis and region-wise market size analysis of the world Luxury Countertops market.

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Global Luxury Countertops Market Insights, Forecast to 2026 research report delivers an in depth watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, small and macro market trend and situations, rating analysis and a holistic summary of the market things within the forecast amount.

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Major Market Players indulged in this report are:

ArboriteAKPAristech SurfacesArmas CompanyArpa IndustrialeCAMBRIAWilsonartLOTTE ADVANCEDCaesarstoneFormicaCosentino SAGranito ZucchiGroupe PierredeplanHanwhaCXUNGelandi

The Luxury Countertops Market is divided into product, application and regional market.

The product segment of the report offers product market information such as demand, supply and market value of the product.

The application of product in terms of US$ value is represented in numerical and graphical format for all the major regional markets.The Luxury Countertops market report is segmented into Type by following categories;LaminatesEngineered StoneNatural stoneOther materials

The Luxury Countertops market report is segmented into Application by following categories;ResidentialCommercial

According to world Luxury Countertops marketing research, supported kind, applications. The Luxury Countertops section is predicted to account for the most important market share, and its conjointly projected to register the very best rate of growth. The report analyses the world Luxury Countertops market supported marketing as on-line and offline channels. Offline marketing is emerged because the major section attributable to increasing variety of retail stores globally, that area unit providing all sorts product looking on client preference. Moreover, the shoppers area unit shopping for the product from retail channels simply be choosing the product supported their selection.

Primary analysis entails telecom interviews with quite few business consultants on acceptance of appointment for conducting telecom interviews, causation questionnaires by e-mail interactions, and in some things face-to-face interactions for a further elaborate and unbiased analysis on the Luxury Countertops Market , for the duration of in quite few geographies. Interviews area unit generally administered on AN in progress study with Luxury Countertops trade consultants on the way to induce the foremost recent understandings of the market and demonstrate the prevailing analysis of the study. Primary interviews give data on obligatory factors like Luxury Countertops market developments, market size, competitive landscape, progress developments, outlook, then forth. These factors facilitate to demonstrate aboard reinforcing the secondary analysis findings and conjointly as facilitate to develop our skilled teams understanding of the Luxury Countertops market.

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The secondary analysis contains sources very similar to press releases, firm annual reviews, and journals associated with the trade. totally different sources embody trade magazines, commerce journals, government internet sites, and associations that were reviewed for gathering precise information on opportunities for enterprise expansions in Luxury Countertops Market .

It is knowledgeable and a close report that specialize in primary and secondary drivers, Luxury Countertops market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions at the side of trending innovation and business policies area unit reviewed within the Luxury Countertops Market report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced data referring to the world Luxury Countertops Market Insights, Forecast to 2026 Market world standing and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, section and forecasts from 20202026.

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Luxury Countertops Market Top Countries Analysis and Manufacturers With Impact of COVID-19 | 2020-2026 Detail Analysis focusing on Application, Types...