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Location:  Six miles west of Columbia, between Tennessee 50 and Tennessee 7, Maury County, Tennessee.
Physiographic Province: PIF 14 (Interior Low Plateaus [Western Highland Rim]); BCR 27 (Southeastern Coastal Plain)

Geographical Coordinates: 
     Monsanto--Lat. 353940N  Long. 0870710W
     Monsanto Number Fifteen Lake--Lat. 354154N  Long. 08707064W
Elevation Range: 580' - 900'
     581' Monsanto
     751' Monsanto Number Fifteen Lake
Size: 5,000 acres
USGS 7.5' quad:  Goodwin

Description:  The site is a previous phosphorus operation of the Monsanto Chemical Company. As phosphorus was mined, the tailings were washed off into "tailing ponds" that were scattered throughout the site. There are as many as 14 ponds that are numbered and range from just a few acres to No. 15 that is 450 acres in size. Pond No. 15 is created from an earthen dam that took 12 years to build and is one of the largest such structures east of the Mississippi River. In the late 1980's, with the assistance of Ducks Unlimited, a concrete spillway was constructed to regulate the water levels in the lake. Tailings create a quicksand type of mud preventing walking in the water in any of the ponds and in No. 15 thousands of cypress tress were planted in hopes of drying up this mud that was estimated to be 80 feet deep and to stabilize it. Most ponds are probably connected as Monsanto wanted to recycle the water from the plant. The creation of these ponds by an industrial necessity produced marsh habitat. Several viewing platforms were constructed out into the ponds by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Currently (January 2006) due to reorganization, the platform areas has been fenced off for protection and access is limited to public roads only.

IBA Criteria:  3, 4a
Ornithological Importance:  An industrial complex's need to create waste ponds has resulted in wetland habitat consisting of cattail marshes, mudflats, marshy shrubs, and shallow and deep water. Wetland habitat in Middle Tennessee is limited. Records at this site go back to 1982. Bald Eagle, a Tennessee In Need of Management species, is seen in winter, 2001-2005. Willow Flycatcher, present since at least July 7, 1984, breeds (including 2005). Tree Swallow, a local and increasing breeder in the state, nests in the bluebird boxes around the lakes. Warbling Vireo and Yellow Warbler are present in the willow and cottonwood trees. Prothonotary Warbler breeds around the ponds.
    Note 1. The varied wetland habitat attracts a complement of species dependent on this habitat. Documented nesting is difficult with some wetland species due to the inaccessibility to search the marsh because of the "endless" mud bottoms.
        American Bittern is detected occasionally. Records include--March 24, 1985 (2), April 6, 1985 (1), April 22, 1989 (1), and September 13, 1992 (2).
        Least Bittern, a Tennessee In Need of Management species, is heard in summer with an average of 3-6 individuals. Records include--May 28, 1984 (1 calling), July 4, 1984 (1), August 25, 1985 (2), and March 27, 1993 (1 calling).
        Great Egret, a Tennessee In Need of Management species, is detected in migration when 50-100 individuals have been observed.
        Little Blue Heron, a Tennessee In Need of Management species, occurs occasionally in migration.
        Virginia Rail is present throughout the year and nesting has been documented with the observation of a chick. Records include--May 1, 1982 (7), December 31, 1983 (1), April 28, 1984 (5), June 3, 1984 (3 + 1 chick), March 27, 1993 (1, calling), and April 15, 1995 (1). Columbia CBC records (1995-2004)--December 25, 1995 (1), December 25, 1997 (1), December 19, 1998 (2), and December 27, 2000 (1).
        Purple Gallinule, was observed on May 12, 1985 (1).
        Common Moorhen, a Tennessee In Need of Management species, was present during the summer in the mid-1980's--July 15, 1984, and May 18, 1985, and July 4, 1987.
        Sora is present during the spring and fall migration periods extending at least into early winter. Records include--May 1, 1982 (1), April 9, 1983 (1), December 31, 1983 (2), April 28, 1984 (27), March 23, 1985 (1), June 29, 1991 (1), April 11, 1992 ("plentiful"), March 27, 1993 (3), December 11, 1993 (1), and November 6, 1995 (1). Columbia CBC records (1995-2004)--December 25, 1995 (1), December 19, 1998 (1), December 14, 2002 (1), and December 18, 2004 (1).
        Sedge Wren is detected infrequently. Records include--August 16, 1988 (3).
        Marsh Wren occurs occasionally. Records include--August 26, 1987 (1), Sept. 23, 1990 (1), May 1, 1993 (5), and April 15, 1995 (1).
    Note 2. Waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) on the Columbia CBC at the ponds in the period 2000-2004 averaged 13 species of 501 individuals (first number species/second number individuals)--December 27, 2000 (11/351), December 15, 2001 (14/452), December 14, 2002 (11/431), December 31, 2003 (13/699), and December 18, 2004 (18/574). Most common species in the 5-year period were Mallard (206), Ring-necked Duck (186), Canvasback (44), Hooded Merganser (44), and Green-winged Teal (26). Blue-winged Teal is present during the spring and fall migration periods and number to 500 birds. Double-crested Cormorants are present during migration of upwards to 200 birds.

Ownership:  Solutia, Cincinnati, Ohio
    Contact:  Barry Wood (Columbia), manager in charge

Conservation Concerns:  Potential concerns are commercial development and residential development.

Management Program:  None.

Submitted by:  Tommy Edwards, 896 Iron Bridge Road, Columbia, TN 38401, 931-490-9879, tommy.edwards@state.tn.us

Additional Contributors:  Barbara Stedman, birdsongteam@charter.net. Stephen J. Stedman, sstedman@tntech.edu

Approved as an IBA site:  February 2006--Yes 5  No 2

This page was last updated on 02/19/06.