Temperature | Water Quality | Water Clarity | Depth
Assess Your Pond - Measure temp, depth, volume and water quality
Coldwater ponds have a summer maximum of less than 74° F, while warmwater ponds reach temperatures above 74° F during the summer months. Due to cooler temperatures, coldwater ponds which can sustain various trout species.
Water temperature is
determined both by the water source and geographical location
of the pond. Potential water sources for a pond include surface
runoff, streams, springs, and wells. Cold water temperatures
in New York ponds are usually maintained by groundwater inputs
from underground springs. Groundwater usually maintains much
colder temperatures during the summer than surface water sources
- such as runoff and streams - which are heated by the sun's
radiation and warm summer air. Warmwater ponds are usually isolated
from groundwater sources, and are found throughout the state.
Only a few locations at high elevations in the Adirondacks and
Catskills are cool enough during the summer such that cold water
temperatures are maintained without groundwater inputs. Ponds
fed entirely by runoff usually are too warm for trout survival
during summer. Coldwater ponds often have low growth of sunfish,
and reduced spawning activity.
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Nutrients
are important to maintain production within ponds however, too many
nutrients are not a good thing. Phosphorus and nitrogen are familiar
nutrients that we use to fertilize gardens and house plants. These nutrients
also enrich the growth of aquatic vegetation such as algae and rooted
pond vegetation, thereby controlling pond productivity. Most New York
ponds have enough available nutrients to support fish production, and
a more common problem is the presence of excessive nutrient levels.
Watershed land uses influence nutrient levels and water quality. Runoff
from cropland can increase the amount of sediment reaching the pond
and may cause excessive turbidity. Runoff may also contain potentially
toxic agricultural chemicals, and runoff from pastures and livestock
holding areas is rich in nutrients from animal wastes. Residential,
urban, and industrial runoff may contain substances (such as chemicals,
oils, and sediment from construction activities) that can adversely
affect a pond's water quality.
Oxygen levels can limit fish survival and production.
Oxygen levels are another important
aspect of pond water quality. High nutrient levels that produce algae
blooms eventually result in decaying vegetation that use up available
dissolved oxygen. Fish kills
often result from a lack of oxygen or, under extreme circumstances,
the presence of toxic algae. During hot weather most ponds have a layer
of water near the bottom that contains little or no dissolved oxygen.
When high winds or cold rain cause this water to mix with the upper
pond water, oxygen levels often drop to levels that can kill fish.
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Prolonged turbid or muddy water due to suspended materials or dense algal growth can inhibit light penetration, reduce oxygen levels, and make it difficult for fish and other living things to survive. Muddy water can be expected for at least a bit of time during spring runoff and turnover and in recently constructed ponds. In most cases suspended materials will settle naturally after awhile. The first step to reducing water turbidity that doesn't naturally right itself is to eliminate sediment sources such as runoff from non-vegetated areas. Foraging fish such as carp and bullheads can also contribute to increased water turbidity. In some instances, water chemistry characteristics prevent suspended materials from naturally settling. In these cases, chemical treatments can be applied to facilitate the process. As with all chemical applications, these management actions require cooperation with a licensed chemical applicator. The North Carolina State Cooperative Extension Service recommends the following treatment options in their online Pond Management Guide: *Apply 300 to 500 pounds of gypsum (land plaster) per surface acre. The gypsum should be finely ground and spread over the pond's surface. *Spread 7 to 10 bales of hay and 40 pounds of superphosphate per acre over the surface of the pond. Do not use this treatment during the summer months because of the danger of depleting the oxygen. *Apply 100 pounds of cottonseed
meal and 40 pounds of superphosphate per surface acre. Do not
use this treatment during the summer months because of the danger
of depleting the oxygen. |
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Ponds are usually constructed
with depths between 6 and 8 feet, and with a maximum depth not greater
than 10 to 12 feet. Natural ponds can be found with a wide variety of
depths. An average depth of less than 6 feet greatly increases the probability
of aquatic vegetation becoming established in the pond, and depths greater
than 12 feet are not necessary for good fish production. Steep pond
slopes help prevent the growth of nuisance aquatic vegetation, which
can also become an important feature of the pond habitat.
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