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Home , Fish pond

PART IV: Management

BUILDING AND MANAGING

mall and large, deep and shal- the site is smaller than sever- low, ponds abundantly dot al acres. For more information on SMichigan’s landscape. People, creating shallow water ponds for , and wildlife love the resources wildlife, see the chapters on that these small bodies of water Marshes and Wetland Restor- provide. Michigan landowners ation Techniques. Landowners have built an estimated 50,000 interested in pond development for ponds on farms and near rural other uses should consult with their households to store water for irri- Michigan State University Extension gation and livestock, to provide fire office or the U.S. Natural Resource wood duck protection, to attract wildlife, and Conservation Service. are vulnerable to winter and sum- to raise fish for recreation. Deep mer kills. Fish ponds should be 1/2 water ponds are great places for Deep Water Ponds acre or more in water surface area. fish production because of their To successfully raise fish you cooler temperatures and reduced must ensure a balanced fish popu- Minimizing the amount of shal- vegetation. Although shallow lation, provide appropriate water low edge around your deep water ponds are not as valuable for fish temperature, and limit growth of pond will reduce emergent vegeta- production, they provide suitable emergent (cattails and bulrushes) tion, most species of which grow in sites for cattails, bulrushes, and and submergent (pondweed and water less than four feet deep. For other vegetation that create food milfoil) plant species. The Michigan this reason, create steep slopes to and cover for wildlife. Department of Natural Resources a depth of four feet or more. Division has information Slopes should range from a mini- The type of pond to construct about how many fish and what mum ratio of 2:1 (2 feet of hori- depends upon your goals. If you species to stock to meet your zontal per 1 foot drop) to a maxi- want to raise bluegills, bass, or pond's size and shape. Minimum mum of 3:1 (3 feet of horizontal , then make the pond deep. If depth for sustaining warm water per 1 foot drop). Minimize the your goal is to attract ducks, frogs species like bass and is 10 amount of edge by constructing a and wetland birds, then build it feet. For trout and other cold circular or rectangluar shaped shallow. Some landowners try to water species, the minimum is 12 pond. achieve both goals with a single feet or more unless a cold or project and usually fail, especially if stream feeds the pond. The entire Shallow Water Ponds pond need not be this deep, but Wildlife species attracted to unless 25 to 50 percent of its sur- constructed shallow water ponds face area lies at such depths, the (depending on size) include water- pond will not provide the right fowl, songbirds, shorebirds, wading amount of dissolved oxygen in win- birds, amphibians, and reptiles, as ter and range of temperatures in well as some upland birds and summer that fish need to survive. mammals. Although a portion of Even though some fish may live in the pond can be six feet or deeper- shallower ponds, they will not grow -to reduce emergent plant growth as fast nor as large as they would and to maintain an opening useful in better habitat. In addition, they to waterfowl and other wetland birds--depths ranging from six 12 ft. 12 ft. 24 ft. Most landowners thinking of 4 ft. 4 ft. building a pond assume that low areas offer the best location. 12 ft. Actually, upland sites may be better because the groundwater table generally follows the land's con- tours, and it may be fairly close to Example of a deep water pond with minimal shallow edges, due to a 3:1 slope reaching 4 ft the surface at higher elevations. deep, a deep water level of 12 ft. to facilitate a diversity of fish species, and a 25% open Upland excavation most certainly water area,24 ft. across , which provides the correct temperatures and amounts of dissolved will be better than in the low spots, oxygen, depending on the season. as they may be muck-filled and more difficult to work with. Excavation projects in lowlands or should be avoided and 30 ft. 30 ft. may require a permit from the Land 3 ft. and Water Management Division of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Marshes, Example of a shallow water pond with maximum shallow area due to a 10:1 lowland woodlands, brushy wet- slope reaching 3 ft. deep at a horizontal length of 30 ft. The total width of lands, , and other wetland the pond is 60 ft. to reduce impact of predators on young birds. types provide important wildlife inches to four feet are most pro- increasing its wildlife value. Slope habitat, and converting them to ductive for a variety of wildlife. design should be flatter, ranging deep or shallow ponds is not rec- Ponds deep enough to house fish from 3:1 to 10:1 (horizontal:drop), ommended. can have a negative impact on the and projects that are at least 60 production of wildlife such as frogs, feet wide reduce the impact of The Natural Resources toads, salamanders, and even predators on ducklings and other Conservation Service, an agency of ducklings. Wildlife ponds often young birds. the U.S. Department of Agriculture host some of the same plants as with offices in most Michigan coun- marshes, including cattails and bul- Constructing a Pond ties, have soil surveys on record rushes in the shallow areas and Generally, ponds should be dug that can tell landowners how well pondweed and other submerged on fairly level areas not suited for certain soils on their property will plants in the deeper spots. wetland restorations. Many parts hold water. Soils for pond construc- of Michigan are favorable because tion should contain a minimum of For shallow ponds, increasing of the flatter topography and 20% clay. It is important when con- the amount of edge makes the groundwater which lies close structing ponds to know water- pond more productive for wildlife. beneath the soil surface. Water will holding capacity, depth to water, Irregular-shaped projects or long, slowly through gravel, loam, and expected fluctuations of water rectangular ones with scalloped and sand layers of a dug depres- in the soil because excavation will edges will have more edge, sion with a high water table. have to go below that level to Conversely, surface run-off will maintain water. This information is readily fill basins constructed on also helpful if the source of water clay soils. While some people have for the pond is runoff. excavated springs to create ponds, we do not recommend it. The best way to determine Remember that springs provide water table depth is to review a soil important wildlife habitat to wild survey with an NRCS staff member- turkeys, frogs, salamanders, and to get an idea of expected normal turtles. For more information on conditions, then dig test holes springs, see the chapter on when the water table is likely to be Seasonal Wetlands. at its lowest, usually in the hot, dry

leopard frog BUILDING AND MANAGING PONDS part of the summer. Spring and depression they dig will fill with summer groundwater depths often water. In truth, the water flowing vary by two to four feet or more in into the test hole is probably Michigan, which is why many shal- groundwater seeping through sand low ponds dry up in summer. This or gravel. This water will fill a condition typically occurs where the depression only to the level where soil is sandy or the slope too great. it currently exists. Although the drying process may have a negative impact on fish An option is to create a pond by stocks in deeper ponds, it actually impounding existing surface water. helps promote a diversity of plant For example, field ditches that fur- growth in shallow ponds. When nish a constant flow of water can water returns to the site, typically be dammed with an earthen berm. in fall, wildlife will greatly benefit. Adding a spillway will allow you to control water depth. For more In addition, be sure not to dig information, refer to the brochure the pond too deep. A thin layer of on Wetland Restoration impermeable soil, such as clay, may Techniques. However, such be what holds the water table ponds usually require the periodic where it is. Puncturing this soil removal of silt and other sedi- invasive species: garlic mustard, layer is much like pulling the ments. Also, such projects require glossy buckthorn, and purple of a bathtub.If this layer of soil is a permit from Michigan loosestrife broken, the water table will no Department of Environmental that are no wider than 300 feet. longer exist at the previous level Quality and may also need to be However, they can be bigger if the and the created pond will be dry. coordinated with the county drain budget allows. commissioner's office. Further, Operators of earthmoving runoff and stream water are rarely The least-expensive ponds are equipment all too often do not take as pure as groundwater, which has usually those that require the groundwater tables into account been well filtered and is free of removal of excavated dirt (spoil) when they contract with landown- phosphorus and other pollutants. only once. With the help of the ers. An agreement to create a On the other hand, groundwater contractor, plan where you will put pond that is 15 feet deep, for may be low in oxygen and contain the spoil. Many landowners are example, could produce a pond iron, copper, or other minerals that amazed at the large volume of with only 12 feet of water if the are detrimental to fish. For this spoil, which typically takes up 20 groundwater table lies three feet reason, if a fish pond is desired, percent more storage volume once below the surface. In this instance one should test the water source it is removed because it loses its the operator would have to dig to a before 'building' the pond. compact . A half-acre pond, depth of 18 feet in order to satisfy for example, with a quarter-acre the agreement. Landowners are The actual design of your pro- that is 18 feet deep, may easily advised to get a written agreement ject will be based on your goals. require a full acre of land for spoil from the contractor that Also, design considerations will disposal. Place the spoil on an guarantees water depth, have to take into account the soil upland site and take precautions to not depth of the type and terrain and the aesthetics prevent erosion back into your excavation. Anoth- desired. Keep ponds away from pond. er misconception is woodlots to minimize loading from the common belief leaves and other nutrients, and that water seeping locate them away from homes and Management into a test hole must buildings for maximum wildlife use. Considerations come from springs. Keep in mind excavating costs can Ponds offer opportunities for Landowners and their soar if dirt must be moved farther wildlife and fish management. contractors all too often than 150 feet. The most cost- Those that have a reliable supply of assume the "spring-fed" effective ponds, then, are those water year around function natural- BUILDING AND MANAGING PONDS

inate because of its strong root- wetland woods stock. The best method is to dig it P out by hand before it becomes Existing features wetland firmly established. If already Road WR established over a large area this House plant may be cut in winter, and Stream then sprayed with the herbicide P Perm anent grass strip GB Rodeo until June. However, it may Ditch be easier to identify the plant after Habitat projects June when it blooms, at which time old field Rodeo can also be used. Be sure to GB DP Deep-water pond follow all label directions. SP Shallow-water pond SP WR Wetland restoration DP GB G rass buffer In summary, deep ponds can Ditch plug hold fish and shallow water ponds Nesting platform old field can attract wildlife to your property. woods However, landowners should think P about the many considerations involved, including construction This map is an example that demonstrates the many management options discussed and maintenance costs. throughout this chapter. The option(s) you choose should depend not only on your goals, but the location, condition, and present use of your land. Government cost-sharing programs for pond creation are rare. If your property is located in a lowland ly and can best be managed by restrict livestock access. Continuous area, you may be able to restore a protecting the water source. The use by cows, horses, and sheep wetland instead of creating a pond. hydrology (water availability) of can damage vegetation and pollute This option wold most likely create your pond is critical in maintaining the water source with manure. Do better habitat for a variety of the water quality and quantity. A not let the pond become a collec- wildlife. Because of the high priori- berm around the pond that is one tion point for trash or debris. ty for restoring drained wetlands foot high by four feet wide and is Consider building loafing platforms and the relative lower cost of these vegetated will help to filter surface to attract waterfowl and turtles. To projects compared to pond cre- water from sediments and contam- learn more, refer to the chapters ations, there are several programs inants before reaching the pond. on Frogs, Turtles, and that cost share restorations. Refer Snakes, and Homes for to the other chapters in the Within at least 100 feet of the Wildlife. Wetlands Management sec- pond, avoid the application of pes- tion for more information. ticides and fertilizers, and do not Unavoidable problems could continuously plow or mow to the include the invasion of garlic mus- water's edge. Creating a buffer tard, glossy buckthorn, or purple FOR ADDITIONAL zone of grassy vegetation at least loosestrife. The latter is a beauti- CHAPTERS CONTACT: 100 feet around the pond will help full, purple-flowered invader that Michigan United Conservation Clubs protect the pond. For seeding can quickly take over a wetland by PO Box 30235 rates and other information, refer outcompeting native plants. This Lansing, MI 48909 to the Grass Planting chapter. noxious weed has little value to 517/371-1041 Fence the pond and buffer zone to wildlife and can be difficult to elim-

Private Land Partnerships: This partnership was formed between both private and public organizations in order to address private lands wildlife issues. Individuals share resources, information, and expertise. This landowner’s guide has been a combined effort between these groups working towards one goal: Natural Resources Education. We hope this manual provides you with the knowledge and the motivation to make positive changes for our environment.

FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE: CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT