|
|
Tips on Maintaining A Farm Pond
Make sure that your spillway is always functional.
You might have installed the proper spillway or drainage system to your pond, but you have to realize that it should the first thing you have to check when doing routine maintenance. The spillway should always be kept clean at all times. It should also be free from any form of woody vegetations and similar crops. If it is, then water will freely flow into it without sacrificing the structure and design of your farm pond.
Check for possible erosion on the banks.
The presence of these erosions could cause accidents both to you and your downhill neighbors. Never ignore small erosions as it can easily intensify during heavy rains and when the snow starts thawing. See if you can use farm pond de-icers regularly during the winter season. Always check the dikes and the perimeter of the pond twice or thrice a year for erosions. Especially look for soggy grounds, rills, washouts, muddy water seepage, and the instances of soil slumping down on the dike, as these are good indications.
Inspect possible damage from other wildlife.
Animals like muskrats and beavers can do substantial harm to your farm pond. If you see burrow holes in your dikes, there must be muskrats living near the pond. Try covering the shoreline with rocks or you can also build a fence around it. Beavers, on the other hand, could block your pipes and spillways with mud. Both muskrats and beavers can be trapped when it is out of season provided you secure a permit from your local environmental office.
Always ensure water clarity.
Use a Secci disk to measure the pond's water clarity. It is a black and white disk that is supposed to be submerged into water until it is out of view. The deeper it gets, the clearer the water is. Water clarity should always be maintained no matter what purpose your pond has.
Control plant overgrowth.
Most plants in the farm pond provide benefits. It can serve as habitat and supply oxygen for the fish. On the other hand, plants growing on the surface are useful for shading and for controlling erosion. But know when these plants become overabundant and are directly interfering with the farm pond's functions.
Building a farm pond requires regular maintenance and restoration. Building doesn't stop with digging a farm pond. If you own a farm pond, it is your responsibility to make sure that it upholds its purpose all the time.
|
|
