2. What happens to your pond in a
drought?
Water level drops
Seepage increases
Oxygen depletions
Muddy conditions
Weed problems
Fish Diseases
Pond dries up
4. Pond Design
Is the pond soil able to hold water?
Was the dam properly compacted?
20 acres of Watershed per Pond Acre
– Follow spillway design for wet weather
overflow
Supplemental Water Source?
– Do not drill a well.
Is the pond deep enough?
– 8 to 10 feet is best
5. Soils
Need at least 25% clay, but 35% is
better
No sand, gravel, or rock outcrops
Pond bottom should be clear of
vegetation and compacted
6. Compaction
Pond dams are compacted every 12
inches as they are built
Compact around drain pipes
NOTE: Excavated ponds are not
compacted, so seep freely,
exchanging water with the water
table.
7. Watershed and Depth
10 to 20 acres per Pond Acre
Plan for a minimum of 3 feet of
water and two to three feet of water
loss during the drought
9. Check the Soil Texture
Photo from L. Swann
Collect a sample of
moist soil
Make a golf-ball-size
ball
Squeeze a ribbon
between thumb and
forefinger
¾ inch = 25-30% clay
18. Algae Control
Treat Early with an algicide
– Copper sulfate or Liquid copper chelate
– Reward or Hydrothol
– Sodium Percarbonate
– (Water gardens use Algaefix)
Stock grass carp at 10 or more per
acre
Aeration may help with most algae,
will actually increase Lyngbya
20. Controlling Duckweeds
Stingray (carfentrazone) – 13.5 oz/A
Reward:Cutrine-plus (2:1 tank mix)
Use sticker/spreader with spray
– Cide Kick II, Topfilm, PolyAn
Aerate
For watermeal, use Sonar or Reward
21. Muddy Water
Correct the source of turbidity
Lime
Add clearing agent
– Alum
– Gypsum
– Organic material
22. Drought Management
Proper Pond Design
Manage problems early
Reduce fish populations
Repair pond if it dries up
