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settle out, causing the water to remain turbid. Soils containing very porous components, such as sand or gravel, or those containing bedded materials, such as shale or limestone, can allow impounded water to flow under or around the dam and should be avoided. Soil suitability can also be determined by checking nearby ponds for clarity and seepage problems. Land use in the watershed is another important consideration when selecting a pond site. The vegetative cover in the drainage area greatly influences the quality, quantity, and flow of water that enters a pond. Ideally, the best cover for a drainage area would be undisturbed grassland. Thick vegetation will slow runoff, acting like a sponge to soak up rainfall, and then gradually release clear, filtered water to the pond. Land with grass cover has minor erosion problems. If possible, the pond should be located near established wildlife cover, which would encourage immediate use by various wildlife species. Land with row crops or construction sites can have major erosion and sedimentation problems if proper soil conservation practices or buffer strips are not in place. A pond with watershed disturbances can fill with sediment in just a few years. Sediment-laden runoff from row crops may contain agricultural chemicals and nutrients that can result in fish kills, reduced fish numbers or growth rates, and excessive aquatic vegetation. If a pond's watershed must include cultivated land, the amount should be as small as possible. Soil conservation practices, such as terracing, minimum or no-till farming, strip-cropping, and buffer strips, should be established before a pond is built in a cultivated watershed. A vegetated buffer strip at least 100 feet wide should be established and maintained between the pond and any nearby cultivated land. Another site selection consideration is whether there are potential pollution sources in the watershed. The fish community will be negatively affected if a pond constantly receives runoff from high nutrient sources, such as a barnyard or feedlot, domestic sewage, or heavily grazed or fertilized pastures. Runoff from such areas promotes excessive growth of aquatic plants. Any potential sources of pollution should be eliminated prior to pond construction. Cattle should be excluded from the pond and dam to prevent their excrement from entering the pond. An alternative is to construct a check dam large enough to contain the contaminated runoff, or to divert it around the pond, if legal. Contact the Nebraska Department of Environ- mental Quality (NDEQ) regarding barnyard or feedlot runoff and domestic sewage. Use caution when applying chemicals, particularly insecticides, in the watershed. Misuse could result in contaminated or dead fish. Water Sources The water supply for your pond should be adequate to replenish water lost to evaporation and leakage, but not so excessive that erosion and flooding are problems. Constructing a pond on a perennial (always flowing) stream should usually be avoided, particularly in eastern Nebraska, where most watersheds include cultivated land. Streams and major drainages generally have large watersheds with numerous potential problems, as mentioned earlier. The quality of the fish community in a pond is a reflection of the quality of the watershed. Consult NRCS and Commission Wildlife Division personnel about the various buffer programs that are available. Most of the programs provide cost-share and even payments to establish and maintain buffers. See page 23 for additional information on livestock related problems and how they can be solved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .second edition • Nebraska Pond Management • 11