Ponds

A pond can add both beauty and utility to your property. The following resources may be helpful as you consider building a pond, or managing an existing one.

PLANNING & DESIGN

• Building A New Pond - Article and pdf by Jim Ochterski on siting and design considerations, stages of construction, and how to choose a pond contractor.
• Constructing Recreational & Farm Ponds. This NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation site covers siting factors, design considerations, pond pesticide use, and the permits you will need to build a pond on your property. Also available as a pdf: Pond Brochure (PDF, 104kb)

POND MANAGEMENT

• What To Do About Aquatic Weeds & Algae - General information and links to resources on plant identification and control.

• Attracting Wildlife To The Pond - Suggestions on ways to attract or discourage various kinds of wildlife at your pond.

FISH STOCKING & MANAGEMENT

• Fish Management in NY Ponds. This Cornell Department of Natural Resources website details how to stock fish and solve common pond fish problems. It includes resources on pond habitat assessment (temperature, water quality, clarity & depth), fish management for cold or warm water ponds, vegetation management, permits required for pond construction, frequently asked questions, suggested publications, and a large selection of links to other pond topics. (Cornell Cooperative Extension).
• Farm Pond Fish Management. This NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation site covers how to get a farm fish pond license, obtaining and stocking fish, and a brief review of possible problems.
• Inland Fishes of New York. An online archive of fish images developed by (NYS DEC) and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
• Management & Conservation of Brook Trout in Northern Lakes, (Cornell University site)

PUBLICATIONS

The Pond Guidebook (2007, Ochterski, et. al). Description and order form on the NRAES website. The guidebook is written for ponds of 1/8 acre or larger in the Northeast, the Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic United States. The authors explain the causes of many common pond problems and review the advantages and drawbacks of various treatments. The book suggests practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment, promote healthy ecosystems, encourage responsible use of chemicals, and enhance biological diversity. View this publication as a PDF on the NRAES website.

Last updated July 26, 2019