The rest of the year , the ponds are flooded .
The rest of the year , the ponds are drained on a schedule designed to optimize conditions for plants which provide seeds preferred by waterfowl , namely alkali bulrush , fat hen , and brass buttons .
The rest of the year , the ponds are flooded and drained on a schedule designed to optimize conditions for plants which provide seeds preferred by waterfowl , namely alkali bulrush , fat hen , and brass buttons .