Pond and Lake Management

Katie Pekarek, Nebraska ExtensionMike Archer, NE Dept. of Environmental QualityJeff Blaser, Nebraska Game and Parks

Lake Ecosystems

Short-term vs. Long-term

Origin of Lakes

Water Movement Hydrologic Cycle

Lake Types Seepage Groundwater Drainage/Spring Lakes Drainage Impoundments Oxbow Sandpit

Seepage Lake Natural Lake Water Source

Groundwater Precipitation Limited Runoff

No Stream Outlet/Inlet

http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types

Natural Lake Water Source

Groundwater Precipitation Limited Runoff

Has Stream Outlet

http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types

Groundwater Drainage Lake

Drainage Lake Natural Lake Water Source

Streams Groundwater Precipitation Runoff

Has Stream Outlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types

o Manmadeo Created by damming

a streamo Water Source

o Streamso Groundwatero Precipitationo Runoff

o Has Stream Outlethttp://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types

Impoundment

Oxbow Lake

Sandpit Lakes Manmade Water Source

Predominantly Groundwater

Minimal Runoff Nearby rivers or

streams

Pond / Lake Classifications Backyard or Ornamental Pond

Measured in gallons Less than 1/8th acre

Ponds Less than 15 acres (natural or man made)

Lakes Greater than 15 acres and natural

Reservoirs Greater than 15 acres and manmade

What are your lake’s characteristics?

Intended Use

Boating

Fishing

Aesthetics

Swimming

Lake Watersheds

“Watershed” = area contributing water to pond

Surface runoff, spring, or stream-fed

Pond Measurements Careful estimates of pond area and volume

are critical measurements for management of aquatic plants and algae.

Area Transects GPS units Google Earth

Volume – Area X depth = acre feet

Water BudgetGroundwater

Inflow

Stream Inflow

Stream Outflow

Transpiration

Evaporation

Groundwater Outflow

Surface Runoff

Precipitation

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Lake Depth

Deep Lakes Stratification

Shallow Lakes Continuous

Cycling

Lake Oxygen Winter

Lake Oxygen - Summer

Lake Turnover

Habitat and the Food Web

Common Pond Problems

Desirable Aquatic Plant Communities

Vegetation dominated by native species

A diverse mix of species present

Plants with moderate density that allows access to invertebrates, forage fish

Pond Ecology

Zones of a Typical Pond

Pond Construction

POND CONSTRUCTION

Dugout excavating a pit in wet area – not in a

wetland

Embankment building a dam to impound runoff water

Many potential problems avoided with proper considerations

POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)

Size of Watershed minimum watershed ratio of 20:1 in SE Nebr. 1 surface acre, avg. depth 5’ = 100 acre watershed Avoid large watersheds or ratios – major flooding issues Minimum 30 acre watershed

Topography smallest dam, volume of soil, and adequate deep and shallow water areas

Land Use quality of fish community = quality of watershedWater Sourcecompensate for evaporation and seepageAvoid streams and major watersheds Well calculate the need (about 325,000 gal/ac-ft) Soil Type Clay, loams, sandy clay/loans the best – soil profile (NRCS)DamImpervious, moist soil compacted in layersCutoff or clay core trench

POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)

POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.) Pond Size 1 to 5 acres ideal

Pond Depth and Slopes 25% at least 10 feet 50% at least 8 feet 25%

less < 5 feet 3:1 Slope to 5 feet depth with bench areas Adequate depth to prevent excessive aquatic

vegetation

Pond Bottom Design (page 14) Irregular shoreline and depths More habitat (40%) means more fish and fishing

opportunities

POND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)Water Control Structures (page 16) Outlet structure or at least a trickle tube Emergency spillway Livestock watering (page 23)

Vegetation Establishment Seed dam, spillway, waterways, other disturbed areas

ASAP Establish cover crop on pond basin Aquatic Plants

Natural and Artificial Habitat (page 39 and handout) Prior to filling or periodically

Fish Stocking & Management

Pond StockingPond StockingRecommended Stocking Combination (page 26)Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish – keep it simpleSupplemental catfish stockings Other species Stocking Rates Recommendations (page 34)Stocking Policy - Application for Fish - List of Hatcheries (2 handouts)Other sources of fish

FISH MANAGEMENTAbundance of predators and prey (page 48)Good, Balanced Pond 250 pounds of bluegill per surface acre 50 pounds of largemouth bass per surface acre

About 50% between 8 and 12 inches About 50% larger than 12 inches

40 pounds of channel catfish per surface acreDecide what to manage for (general or big bass or big bluegill) Assess fish populations (angling page 52)Choose management option, PWMA ( page 54)If unable to catch fish or need advice, consult NGPC (magazine)

Aquatic Vegetation

Aquatic Vegetation Important Component of Aquatic EnvironmentProvides food, nesting, nursery, coverOxygenates water Stabilizes shoreline and bottom sediment

Four Major Types of Aquatic Plants Algae, floating, submersed, and emergent (Page 62, handout)

Can be a problem (over 50% pond surface affected)Fishing becomes difficultUpsets balance between bass and bluegillExcessive plant die-off's affect dissolved oxygenEnd of growing seasonCloudy weather/muddy water decreases sunlight Decomposition depletes oxygen – fish kills

Aquatic Vegetation (cont.)Preventive MeasuresAdequate water depthLand use practices, buffer strips, restrict livestock access/wasteReduces excessive nutrients in water and sediment Use fertilizers with no or low phosphorus (lessen algae blooms)

Control MeasuresPhysical or mechanical removal

Discard plants away from pond (also fragments) Removal reduces associated nutrients

Aquatic Vegetation (cont.)Chemical ControlSpot treatment (shoreline areas, create fishing/boating lanes)If large area, only do 1/3 to 1/4, wait 2 weeks Fish die-off if too much killed (oxygen depletion) Many are restricted use – certification requiredRead and follow directions on label, treat before excessive Biological Control (grass carp)Not a cure all – prefer certain plants, inefficient, long livedLimited control of algae, duckweed, coontail, pond lily, milfoilOverstocked, eliminate beneficial plants, algae blooms result AerationOxygenates deep areas, prevents upwelling of phosphorus Can reduce algae blooms and prevent fish kills resulting from excessive vegetation die-offs (natural and man made)

Permits

PermitsCheck with local NRCS about:the site being in a wetland, the need of a water storage permit (>15 acre feet of water)the site in part of state where pond construction may be restricted the possibility of Threatened or Endangered species presentthe possibility of construction cost share, conducting a soil profile and determining if water source will be sufficient

Permits (cont.)Check with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about a 404 permit for addition of fish structure

Check with NGPC about:the need of a fishing permit at the siteacquiring a PWMA if decide to remove bass < 15 inches Go to NGPC website to access NPM book and Pond Guide Series

Water Quality Standards

Water Quality Standards• Water Clarity• Bacteria• Contaminants• Algae• Fish Kills

Water Clarity• Sediment

• Internal • Bank sloughing• Lack of depth• Rough Fish

• External• Runoff carrying sediments

Water Clarity• Water Clarity

• Settling Basin – Small detention cell• Depth – Mechanical dredge• Shoreline Erosion

• Rip-rap• Vegetation• Seawall• Reconstruct bank slope to

(2-1) – (3-1)CONTACT NDEQ AND USACE BEFORE DOING

ANY OF THE ABOVE!!

Bacteria• Escherichia coli (E. coli)

• Sources• Waste products of any warm-blooded animal• Septic systems• Waterfowl• Livestock waste runoff

• Health Concerns• Gastroenteritis• Dysentery • Hepatitis • Cholera• Typhoid Fever

Contaminants• Pesticides

• Atrazine• Acetochlor• Metolachlor

• Nutrients • Nitrogen• Phosphorus

• Metals• Lead• Mercury• Calcium• Magnesium• Aluminum• Arsenic• Copper• Iron• Numerous others

ContaminantsPesticides• Atrazine

• Most commonly detected pesticide contaminating drinking water

• Aatrex, Alazine, Primatol• Endocrine Disruptor

• Preterm pregnancy• Sexual development

• Acetochlor• Replacement for Atrazine• Acenit, Guardian, Harness, Surpass• Development disruption of fish and amphibians

• Metolachlor• Becoming much less common• Bicep, Dual, Pennant, Pimagram• Moderately toxic to fish

ContaminantsMetals• Lead

• Lead shot• Fishing weights• Industrial waste• Naturally occurring

• Mercury• Coal fired power plants• Health effects (Methylmercury)

• Deteriorates central nervous system• Impairs hearing, speech, vision and gate

• Bioaccumulation• Aluminum

• Common treatment for eutrophic lakes• Possible health concerns with elevated levels of Al.

• Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, Alzheimer's• Mobilization of Al due to low pH can become toxic to fish

• Nitrogen• Sources

• Rain• Runoff – Residential and Agricultural lands

• Fertilizer • Animal Waste

• Waterfowl• Septic Systems and Sewage Treatment Facilities• Illegal Dumping

• Ammonia

• Phosphorus• Sources

• Runoff – Residential and Agricultural lands• Fertilizer

• Soil Erosion• Detergents• Septic Systems

ContaminantsNutrients

Floating Emergent Submerged

www.illinoiswildflowers.info

www.aquaplant.tamu.edu

Aquatic Vegetation

www.lakerestoration.com

Aquatic VegetationFloating

en.wikipedia.com

Watermeal

Duckweed

www.lakerestoration.com

Aquatic VegetationEmergent

Cattail

Arrowhead

Api.ning.com

Bulrush

Aquaplants.tamu.edu

Aquatic VegetationSubmerged

Illinoiswildflowers.info

Coontail American Pondweed

Aquaplants.tamu.edu

Water Lily

Aquaplant.tamu.edu

Aquatic VegetationInvasive/Noxious

Purple Loosestrife

Marbleheadconservancy.org

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Curly-leaf Pondweed

Neinvasives.com

Neinvasives.com

Aquatic VegetationInvasive/Noxious• State Noxious Weeds

• Saltcedar• Phragmites• Purple Loosestrife

• Invasive in Nebraska Status Unknown

• Parrot Feather• Hydrilla• Water Hyacinth

Aquatic Vegetation Control

• Physical or Mechanical Removal• Chemical Control

• Restricted Use Pesticides• Applied by a licensed

applicator• Bank Slope

• 2:1 – 3:1

www.illinoiswildflowers.info

www.lakerestoration.com

Aquatic Vegetation Algae

• Algae• Filamentous• Planktonic

• Blue-Green Algae

Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Elevated Nutrients

• Eutrophication• Extensive macrophytic growth• Algal blooms• Blue Green Algae

• Toxin producing• Microcystins• Anatoxin-a• BMAA• DABA

Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Health Effects

• Microcystin• Humans

• Liver Damage• Skin irritant

• Pets and Livestock• Ingestion is likely fatal

• BMAA & DBAA• Suspected Effects

• ALS • Parkinson's Disease• Alzheimer’s Disease• Nervous System

• Anatoxin – a• Suspected Effects

• Nervous System

AlgaeAquatic Vegetation Algae• Prevention

• Reduce the amount of nutrients entering the lake• No phosphorus fertilizer• Eliminate waterfowl

• Harass do not harm • Check with USFWS, UNL extension,

NGPC• Eliminate livestock access and any

associated runoff• Pick up pet waste• Construct berms and natural grass barriers• Wetland - treatment at inlet to the lake• Inspect septic system

Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Aquatic Herbicides

• Use sparingly!! • Treat 1/4 to 1/3 of the problem at a time• Restricted Use Herbicide application needs to

be conducted by a licensed applicator. • Alum Treatment

• Application of Alum will violate Nebraska Water Quality Standards.

• All Alum applications require a variance before application.

• Contact NDEQ very early on in the process. • Lake Sediment Dredging

Nuisance Animals

Beaver Burrowing near lake’s dam can weaken structure Trees and branches can damage and/or plug drainpipes

Trapping is the most effective means of controlling beaver populations

Muskrat Tunneling in dam can cause the bank structure to leak and/or

fail Wire screen along dam Trapping

Nuisance Animals

Nuisance Animals

Developing a Water Quality Monitoring Plan• Do you need to a monitoring plan?

• Full body contact recreation• Fish Kills• Excessive Algal Growth• Pets, livestock, etc. using the pond

• Katie Pekarek (402) 560-3110• Jeff Blaser (402) 471-5435• Mike Archer (402) 471-4224

Developing a Water Quality Monitoring Plan• Monitor monthly

• Water Temp.• Dissolved Oxygen• pH• Water Clarity• Chlorophyll a • Total Phosphorus & Soluble Reactive Phosphorus• Total Nitrogen & Ammonia• Atrazine• Mercury• Lead• Aluminum

• Sample when concern arises• Microcystin• E.coli

Questions