02-21-2008, 09:10 PM
Once upon a time, a pond's primary function was to water cattle. The kids in the pond-owner's family might occasionally go there to fish for runt bluegill (which everybody called "perch"), bullhead catfish and sometimes, even carp. Occasionally, the local pond was the target of "frogging" trips.
But its main purpose was to water cattle.
Now, more and more ponds are shedding their image as mere livestock "watering holes" and taking on broader purposes. Because today's landowners have a number of fish-stocking options, some ponds are being managed to provide angling opportunities that mirror what can be found at local lakes.
Other people are using ponds as a spot to observe deer, ducks, herons or other wildlife species that come for food, water, nesting or denning habitat.
Some ponds are also used as watering sources for crop fields or gardens. Some are used for all of the above purposes. And, of course, they can still be used to water livestock, but the preferred method (cows standing in the middle of the pond) has changed.
Ponds have gone from being afterthoughts to primary goals in many people's land-management strategies. Along with the increased appreciation of ponds comes an increased interest in pond management. Today's landowners are learning that building and/or maintaining a quality pond involves a number of factors. Some of these are obvious; others aren't.
For instance, when you were young, do you remember anybody that paid attention to the vegetation that grew around the border of the pond and in the immediate drainage basin?
Now, that's become a prime concern because having the proper plants in the right places can provide stability to the pond bank and can also keep the water clearer by holding the surrounding soil in place and filtering the sediments that drain from the surrounding area.
Another change that has occurred is that, these days, pond stocking involves more than just dumping fish in a pond. Some species work well in pond environments, others don't.
One thing that determines how many fish you stock is how big your pond is. How often you plan to take fish from your pond will also be a factor in deciding how many fish you'll want to put in it.
Besides fish-stocking issues, there's location, soil type, drainage areas and a host of other items that may have to be taken into consideration in a pond-management plan.
And, of course, for some landowners, there are still livestock considerations too. Research has shown it's best to keep livestock out of a pond if you want thriving populations of fish and other aquatic species. Don't despair, livestock owners, because alternative watering methods using that pond's water can often be implemented.
People wanting information about pond construction and management can get information at a pond workshop March 13 at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Southwest Regional Office, 2630 N. Mayfair Ave. The workshop is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Information about pond management can also be obtained from your nearest Missouri Department of Conservation office or from their Web site, www.missouriconservation.org.
But its main purpose was to water cattle.
Now, more and more ponds are shedding their image as mere livestock "watering holes" and taking on broader purposes. Because today's landowners have a number of fish-stocking options, some ponds are being managed to provide angling opportunities that mirror what can be found at local lakes.
Other people are using ponds as a spot to observe deer, ducks, herons or other wildlife species that come for food, water, nesting or denning habitat.
Some ponds are also used as watering sources for crop fields or gardens. Some are used for all of the above purposes. And, of course, they can still be used to water livestock, but the preferred method (cows standing in the middle of the pond) has changed.
Ponds have gone from being afterthoughts to primary goals in many people's land-management strategies. Along with the increased appreciation of ponds comes an increased interest in pond management. Today's landowners are learning that building and/or maintaining a quality pond involves a number of factors. Some of these are obvious; others aren't.
For instance, when you were young, do you remember anybody that paid attention to the vegetation that grew around the border of the pond and in the immediate drainage basin?
Now, that's become a prime concern because having the proper plants in the right places can provide stability to the pond bank and can also keep the water clearer by holding the surrounding soil in place and filtering the sediments that drain from the surrounding area.
Another change that has occurred is that, these days, pond stocking involves more than just dumping fish in a pond. Some species work well in pond environments, others don't.
One thing that determines how many fish you stock is how big your pond is. How often you plan to take fish from your pond will also be a factor in deciding how many fish you'll want to put in it.
Besides fish-stocking issues, there's location, soil type, drainage areas and a host of other items that may have to be taken into consideration in a pond-management plan.
And, of course, for some landowners, there are still livestock considerations too. Research has shown it's best to keep livestock out of a pond if you want thriving populations of fish and other aquatic species. Don't despair, livestock owners, because alternative watering methods using that pond's water can often be implemented.
People wanting information about pond construction and management can get information at a pond workshop March 13 at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Southwest Regional Office, 2630 N. Mayfair Ave. The workshop is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Information about pond management can also be obtained from your nearest Missouri Department of Conservation office or from their Web site, www.missouriconservation.org.