- [Bryan] Hi, my name's Bryan Swistock. I'm a water resource specialist
with Penn State Extension. I'd like to talk to you today about a few simple steps you can take to maintain or create a
healthy pond that is enjoyable for fishing, swimming, and
other recreational uses. There are hundreds of
thousands of earthen ponds in Pennsylvania, ranging
from an eighth of an acre to five acres in size. Many of these ponds were built decades ago for animals, irrigation,
and fire protection. But over time, a lot of them are reverting to recreational ponds used for fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. While ponds can be very enjoyable to own, 77% of pond owners surveyed
by Penn State University had at least one problem. These include excessive
algae and plant growth, nuisance wildlife, or
water quality problems that lead to fish kills. Many of these problems can either cause or result from an
unhealthy pond ecosystem. Luckily, there are some
simple steps you can take to prevent or remedy an unhealthy pond. The first tip to improving any pond is to make simple pond measurements. The most important of these measurements are water quality tests. Issues with fish kills
or poor fish growth, animal or human illness, or
excessive algae and plant growth are usually related to various
pollutants in the water. Pond water testing can be
done easily and inexpensively for many pollutants using
kits, meters, or test strips purchased from pet or
swimming pool stores. More detailed testing for parameters like bacteria and metals
is best accomplished using a state-accredited
water testing lab. Penn State's water lab has developed a pond and water testing program to test for some of the most
important water parameters. These kits are available from most of your county
extension offices. Some water quality parameters,
such as water temperature, must be measured at the pond site to provide accurate results. The most important temperatures
to know for your pond is the highest water temperature during the middle of the summer. Dissolved oxygen should also be measured at the pond site using
a test kit or meter. Both water temperature
and dissolved oxygen are critical to the survival of fish and other aquatic life in the pond. The second tip for a healthy pond is identifying problems early, when they can be more easily fixed and before they cause serious
harm to the pond's health. Two-thirds of pond owners fail to routinely inspect their pond to identify new problems as they develop. Watch for small trees
that need to be removed from exposed banks
before they cause leaks. Outflow pipes should be
inspected for debris, which could clog the pipe and cause damage to the pond structure. The banks should also be
inspected for signs of erosion that can introduce sediment
and nutrients to the pond, both of which can cause
excessive plant and algae growth. Other components of a pond inspection include looking for early
signs of leaking ponds, such as dropping water levels or soggy grass around the
exterior of the pond dam. Also, watch for new plants
either in or around the pond that you've never seen before. If you find a new plant, make
sure to get it identified to ensure that it's not a
non-native invasive plant. These invasive plants are
much easier to eradicate if they're found and treated early. Finally, make sure fences around the pond that are in place to keep horses, cows, and domestic animals
out are in good shape. Animals that directly access a
pond can cause severe damage, including sedimentation and nutrients that will create an unhealthy pond. The third tip and perhaps
the most important to the overall long-term
health of your pond is to prevent and control
sources of sediment and nutrients from entering the pond. Nutrients and sediment control start with understanding
the pond watershed or the land area that
contributes water to the pond. Activities in the pond watershed that cause sediment from erosion, such as housing developments, or the addition of nutrients
to the pond from agriculture or yard fertilizers cause the pond to become shallow and
choked with algae and plants that can lead to reduced oxygen levels. Perhaps the easiest method to control nutrients entering the pond is to establish a riparian buffer strip of unmowed grass and
shrubs around your pond. Even a simple buffer strip of grass that is only mowed a few times
each summer is beneficial. Buffer strips can capture nutrients before they enter the
water, control erosion, and remove sediment from the water by slowing water velocity. Limiting fertilizer use on
the land area around the pond is very important to prevent nutrients from entering the pond, where
it can grow plants and algae. This also includes being careful when you mow around the pond. If you mow grass clippings into the pond, like in this picture, you are
in effect fertilizing the pond because the grass will decay and release nutrients into the water. Aeration is another method to reduce the availability of nutrients in the pond. Aeration provides oxygen
to the deeper water, which keeps nutrients tied
up in the bottom sediments, where it is less available
for plants and algae to use. While solar and wind-powered
aeration units are available, the best aeration comes from
electric-powered fountains or diffuse air stems. The fourth tip for a healthy
pond is to properly manage aquatic plants and algae in the pond. Surveys have found that
about 40% of pond owners routinely attempt to manage
pond plants and algae, but these same surveys have shown that they often make critical mistakes that can actually create
an unhealthy pond. Many pond owners assume that any algae or plants
in their pond are bad. To the contrary, moderate
levels of many pond plants and algae are beneficial or even necessary for a healthy pond ecosystem. Microscopic planktonic algae, which may make the water
look a little murky, provide critical food for small fish. Emergent plants growing
around the edge of the pond, like cattails, sedges, reeds, and grasses, filter sediment and nutrients and provide needed habitat
for small and large fish, along with frogs, toads,
and other wildlife. Finally, various types of
native submerged plants, like the elodea bed shown
here, provide habitat for fish while also oxygenating the pond water. If plant and algae levels
do reach a nuisance level, explore all of your options
to properly manage the plant with the least damage to
the overall pond health. Where possible, physical
removal of plants can be ideal because removal of the plant also removes the nutrients in the plant and prevents them from being
used to grow more plants or algae in the future. If you have aquatic plants that are among those
favored by grass carp, you might consider obtaining a permit and stocking these fish to
control the plant growth. In cases where nuisance
algae are a problem, loose bags of submerged barley straw have been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of algae if they're installed early in the spring before algae become established. Many pond owners immediately choose to use aquatic herbicides
to control plants and algae, but they often make serious
mistakes that ruin pond health. Proper use of herbicides
includes identifying the plant, choosing the right herbicide, making the necessary calculations,
obtaining the permit, and following the label
instructions carefully. A final tip for a healthy pond is to properly manage the fish and wildlife living in and near the pond. Fish management can be critical
to create a healthier pond. This involves measuring and
actively managing the fishery by stocking or harvesting fish as needed. Avoid the urge to stock
many species of fish. Most ponds do best with just two species. And completely avoid species like carp, koi, pike, and
walleye, which do poorly in ponds. Also, keep in mind that pond
fish should not be feed. This adds nutrients to
the pond that may reduce the overall health of
the pond water quality. Various habitat work can
be done around the pond to either attract wildlife you want or deter wildlife you don't want. Nest boxes can be
installed to attract birds, but make sure you purchase
or construct a box that is suitable for the
bird you want to attract. A layer of large rocks above
and below the waterline, known as rip rap, can be
used to deter muskrats from denning in the pond and possibly creating leaks or erosion. The same buffer strip of grass or plants that we discussed earlier
can also be helpful in reducing Canada geese
by making harder for them to enter and exit the pond. Ponds can be wonderful resources for family recreation and enjoyment, but they often fall into disrepair. The five tips provided in this video will help you ensure
that your pond is healthy and enjoyable for you and
everything living in the pond. For more information on the
topics introduced in this video, visit the Penn State Extension
pond management website.
