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D eveloping a good fishing pond involves more than just pushing up some dirt to impound water and stocking fish. By building a well designed pond, an environment can be created that will support a multitude of organisms, both plant and animal, important to fish. With proper stocking and management, a pond can produce a quality fishery, benefit terrestrial wildlife, and be relatively maintenance-free. Pond Types There are two types of ponds: embankment and excavated. An embankment pond, hereafter referred to simply as a pond, is made by building a dam across a ravine or draw to impound flowing waters. An excavated pond, hereafter referred to as a dugout, is made by digging a pit in a flat area that is usually wet for extended periods of time or near a stream/river, keeping in mind flooding potential. Dugouts are normally sustained by groundwater and/or springs. Water depths must be monitored during the excavation process to ensure sufficient depths for fish are available when completed. Attaining proper depths may be very difficult in some wet areas. Information for ponds provided throughout the remainder of this handbook, except for dam construction considerations, can also be applied to dugouts. Site Selection The success or failure of a pond may depend upon the site you choose. Careful site selection can reduce construction and maintenance costs, and increase the benefits you receive from your pond. Although most potential pond sites have some features that are less than ideal, many deficiencies can be overcome with good planning and design. When thinking about location, don't forget about convenience. A well planned pond that is close to home and easily accessible will be used more often and provide more enjoyment than one that is far away and hard to reach. In addition, it is more likely to be properly maintained. Watershed The size of the watershed, or drainage area, is an important aspect of site selection. The watershed includes the immediate pond site and all land that drains to the pond. This may include land belonging to other people. The minimum watershed area needed for each acre of pond surface is called the watershed ratio. The ideal watershed ratio varies from 20:1 in southeastern Nebraska to in excess of 50:1 in the Panhandle. This means a 1-acre pond containing 5 acre-feet of water built in the southeast needs 100-acre watershed to maintain water levels, while a similar pond in the Panhandle would need a 250-acre watershed. The exact ratio for a specific location depends on annual precipitation, soil type, the amount and types of vegetation in the watershed, pond uses, and the slope of the watershed. POND CONSTRUCTION Watershed ratios vary across the state. Personnel from the local U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office can help determine that ratio as well as the total annual yield of surface runoff for a particular site. 8 • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .