Splash Down

Here's a primer on farm pond management.

- KIM MACMILLAN

There's just something special about being on the water, whether it's the ocean, a river or stream, a lake or your very own pond.

Watching a fish jump or a duck glide along the surface, hearing frogs sing at night, paddling on the water, casting a line or ice skating in winter ... a pond can add intrinsic value to your property in many ways.

On the practical side, a farm pond can also provide water for livestock, irrigation or fire control. There may also be the potential for agritourism income. Hosting family-friendly activities along the pond can enrich life on your homestead. In addition to picnics, parties and water sports, children and grandchildren will have many choices for school, 4-H and FFA science projects as they observe life on the pond through the seasons.

However, as with most good things, owning a pond requires work and financial investment, too.

Maintaining a healthy pond requires attention to detail, seasonal maintenance and a working knowledge of pond biology.

GETTING STARTED

The intent of this article is to provide food for thought about having a farm pond, and to provide maintenance tips and more in-depth how-to resources. There is a plethora of information available on all aspects of building and maintaining them.

Begin with the Ponds — Planning, Design, Construction (NRCS Agriculture Handbook #590). Beyond that, lots of information on a variety of pond-related topics is available through agriculture university extension services, state departments of natural resources and soil and water districts, Audubon International and the USDA, among others. Internet searches and social media will yield lots of resources.