This historical engineering feature would trace the origins of the Model Boating Pond island, which was created during the major flood prevention works completed in 2016. The article would explain the background: the City of London Corporation announced in 2011 that extensive work was needed to make the ponds' dams and overflow structures safer, following concerns that earth embankment dams retaining the 30 ponds could fail in extreme storms. The piece would chronicle the five years of consultation, reports, and protests that preceded the 18-month project, and how the island was accidentally created to protect established trees.