Pond Management 

Pond management is a comprehensive and continuous process as ponds over time return to their original state. These areas may once have been bogs, fens, or wetlands. Nutrient loading in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus hastens the natural process of the land returning to its former state. In the fight against entropy the District, and our partners, often recommend among other practices, natural buffers around your pond. We often point out the need to reduce nutrient loading, in the form of fertilizers and other sources, in order to lower your maintenance costs and improve the health of your pond.

Algae is a common problem found in ponds throughout Connecticut, especially as temperatures rise. There are many ways to respond to the algae growth. The District is currently experimenting with the natural use of Barley straw as an inhibitor of new algae growth. For more information click here.

An evaluation of the various species of plants in your pond gives us an understanding of how best to manage the pond. The three shown here are all native species that naturally inhabit local ponds and thus are treated differently than non-native invasives.

A number of different tests may be needed to evaluate the water quality of a pond or water body. These include testing for phosphorus and nitrogen. Evaluating the pH as well as the dissolved oxygen is often performed as part of overall water quality evaluations.