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40 • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission nesting sites for fish and other organisms. They also help to oxygenate the water, reduce nutrient levels, and improve water clarity by decreasing wave strength and minimizing shoreline erosion. Emergent and submergent vegetation tie up a portion of the nutrients present in a pond, which reduces the likelihood of nuisance planktonic algae blooms that can cause fish kills. Although emergents — rigid plants which have the bulk of the plant above the water and grow along the shoreline — can become established naturally in a pond, they can also be transplanted to speed colonization. Most emergents, especially cattail, bulrush and arrowhead, are relatively easy to transplant. This should be done in the spring when new growth starts. Rootstock can be dug up and cut or pulled apart and planted along the shoreline. Make sure at least two new shoots/nodes are present for each section when utilizing cattails. Some of the transplants should be placed adjacent to and immediately above the water line, while others can be placed in water less than 10 inches deep. Cattails are very aggressive and can spread over extensive shoreline areas. Mechanical or chemical means may be necessary to eliminate them in wading, swimming, and some fishing areas. Even though submergents — non-rigid plants which are normally completely submerged and attached to the bottom — can also be transplanted, they usually become established in the pond naturally by waterfowl transporting seeds and incoming water transporting seeds and plant fragments. Some types, including curleyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, and coontail, can colonize extensive shallow-water areas. The best way to restrict their growth is to make sure ponds contain adequate depths, as outlined on page 12. Although it is best to transplant locally acquired plants, some can also be purchased. Contact your area Commission fisheries personnel for a listing of aquatic vegetation dealers. Some of the natural effects of aging and subsequent habitat loss can also be counteracted with water level manipulation. The water level of ponds with gated draw-down valves can be lowered 2 to 3 feet, provided adequate depth remains to prevent a summer fish kill, and maintained at the lower level for an extended period of time. Grasses and broadleaf plants will sprout naturally on the exposed pond bottom, or exposed areas can be seeded with sorghum or Japanese millet. Draw-down can commence in late spring. Hand seeding should be done when mud flats are initially exposed and still moist. The pond should be refilled to flood the established vegetation, either in the fall if a See page 61 for additional information on identification, benefits, potential problems, and control of aquatic vegetation. Transplanting Roots of Emergents Transplanting Roots of Emergents Nodes Seeding Mudflats Seeding Mudflats New Shoots