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56 • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission If there is no concern with contaminating downstream fish populations with the fish from your pond, the pond can be drained or pumped dry; however, keep in mind that your neighbor may not appreciate fish rotting on his land. Renovating your pond by killing fish with a chemical is another option. Even if a pond cannot be drained completely, lowering it a few feet will reduce the amount of chemical needed, saving you money if pumping costs are not considerable. Fish renovations should be undertaken only in ponds with: adequate depth (10-12 feet), sufficient size (half acre or larger), controlled watersheds, and undesirable fish populations. Fish population improvements in ponds with marginal habitat or water quality would be short-lived. A new pond can be renovated as soon as the dam is completed if there is no possibility of additional unwanted fish entering before desirable fish can be stocked. Rotenone is a chemical which kills fish by making it impossible for their gills to absorb dissolved oxygen from the water. Within a few minutes of application, fish can be seen struggling at the surface and dying. It is not toxic to most warm-blooded mammals (one exception is pigs) at prescribed concentrations. Rotenone is a naturally occurring organic compound extracted from the roots of certain tropical plants. It can be purchased either as a powder or liquid. The liquid is recommended because of its ease of application. Rotenone with 5% active ingredient, or 2.5% synergized, is recommended, especially for eliminating carp and bullheads. Since rotenone is a restricted use pesticide, it can only be purchased and applied by an applicator licensed through the Department of Agriculture. Contact Commission fisheries personnel regarding the permit process, chemical purchasing, and application. To determine how much rotenone is needed, you need to know the volume of your pond, which is calculated by multiplying the number of surface acres by the average depth of the pond. Average depth can be estimated by multiplying the maximum depth by 0.4. Volume is expressed as acre-feet of water. One acre-foot of water will cover one surface acre with one Pond owners must obtain authorization from the Commission to use rotenone. Applying Rotenone to Pond with Stationary Boat Utilizing the Prop Wash to Mix the Chemical Applying Rotenone to Pond with Stationary Boat Utilizing the Prop Wash to Mix the Chemical