Maintaining a Pond Dam

Why Build a Pond?

Incorporating a well-maintained water pond into your property has many benefits. First, ponds can serve as a water supply for livestock or gardening (in fact, over 75% of all farm ponds are primarily used for livestock water). Second, ponds can function as a fish, wildlife, and vegetation habitat, helping to increase the biodiversity of your property. Third, a well-maintained pond may also serve as an effective means of flood and erosion control as well as a source of water for rural fire fighting. Lastly, who doesn't enjoy spending a relaxing day by a pond? Whether fishing or skipping stones, ponds are a great way to relax! All of these benefits mean that a pond can increase your home's resale value, if it's well-maintained.

What do you mean by well-maintained?

A poorly maintained pond is usually worse than having no pond at all. Poorly maintained ponds can become a nuisance and an eyesore in a hurry and can actually negatively affect your home's value. Regular inspection and maintenance are a must in order to maximize a pond's usefulness, life, and value. Lack of prompt attention to problem areas has led to irreparable damage to many ponds. Simple and inexpensive repairs go a long way in extending a pond's useful life.

The 2 Main Types of Ponds

Pond maintenance methods depend on what type of pond you have. There are two main types:

Excavated Ponds: Excavated ponds are made by digging a pit or dugout in a (nearly) level area. Because the water capacity is obtained almost entirely by digging, excavated ponds are best used where there is relatively flat terrain and only a small supply of water is needed. Excavated ponds are popular due to the ease with which they can be constructed, their relative safety from flood-flow damage, and their low maintenance requirements.

Embankment Ponds: Embankment ponds are built by placing an embankment or dam across a stream where the stream valley is depressed enough to permit storing 5 feet or more of water. Embankment ponds are a little more complicated to construct and maintain than excavated ponds because an overflow pipe and emergency spillway are needed to safely handle the overflow from large storms. We will focus mainly on embankment ponds because of the increased maintenance requirements.

Modified version of original photo courtesy Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved at lawcoswm.org/ponds.htm

Embankment Pond Maintenance Issues

Clogged Overflow Pipe: The overflow pipe is used to handle most rainfall events. It should be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that there are no obstructions.
 

Erosion: The earthen embankment or dam is critical as it maintains the integrity of the pond. The emergency spillway, cut into the soil at one end of the embankment, carries excessive water flows around the embankment, protecting it from damage caused by possible overtopping. To prevent erosion from damaging the integrity of the embankment or the emergency spillway, a good vegetative cover like K-31 Fescue and regular inspections are necessary.

Livestock Damage: If you have livestock on your property, then it is recommended to construct a fence around the pond, embankment, and emergency spillway to keep out the livestock. Without a fence, livestock tend to destroy the vegetative cover resulting in erosion to the structures. Regularly inspect and repair any fences as well as any damage to the embankment or spillway. This may require reseeding with K-31 Fescue.

Trees: Trees can pose a problem, especially if they are allowed to grow on the embankment. They compete with the grass cover and provide a habitat for animals that might damage the embankment or pond edges. All trees should be removed from the embankment when they are small and definitely before they develop a deep root system.

Excess Pond Vegetation: There are a variety of factors that contribute to excess pond vegetation, including excess nutrients running into the pond from livestock, septic fields or applied fertilizer, and shallow or clear areas of a pond that allow sunlight to reach the bottom of the pond, stimulating plant growth.

If a pond infestation is caught and treated early, aquatic herbicides are a very effective method of control. FELDMANS carries a range of products to assist with the infestation of a wide range of aquatic vegetation. Consider this a reactive approach to aquatic vegetation management.

A more proactive approach to aquatic vegetation control to consider is an aeration system. Aeration systems add dissolved oxygen to water. Healthy levels of dissolved oxygen in your pond aids in the breakdown of decaying vegetation and other sources of nutrients that enter your pond. The more decomposition via aeration, the less nutrients there will be available for algal blooms and excess aquatic plant growth. FELDMANS has introduced Airmax Aeration Systems that we can special order to fit the needs of your pond. 

 

Airmax Aeration System

Muddy Water: Wave action against exposed shoreline and soil eroding into the pond can lead to a muddy water problem. To combat this, maintain good shoreline vegetation and take preventative measures to control all forms of soil erosion above the pond. Placing a few bales of hay or straw in the water can help clear it up.

Sediment Accumulation: Sediment accumulation is a serious problem as it can make a pond useless over time. Muck like with muddy water, the rate of sediment accumulation is directly related to how good a job is done to protect the land above from eroding. Dredging or rebuilding the pond might be necessary if the problem is bad enough.

With the proper maintenance, a pond will provide many years of service. Let FELDMANS help your pond maintenance needs with the grass seed, aquatic herbicides, and aeration systems to see you through the project!