Index

A

access, 35–36, 47–50

aeration systems, 128–129

aerobic bacteria, 14

air pumps, 115

algae

in balanced ecosystem, 2

control of, 91, 112

effect on carbon dioxide levels, 5

in new ponds, 93

nutrients and, 7, 13

types of, 9–10

ammonium

about, 7–8

effect of pH, 9

high levels of, 110–111

production of, 11

role of microbes, 14

amphibians, 11, 18–19, 139

anaerobic bacteria, 14–15

anaerobic decomposition, 114

animals, 10–12, 17–20

aquaculture ponds, 121–122

arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), 105

B

bacteria

addition of, 84, 110

effect on nitrogen levels, 7–8, 111

in oxygen cycle, 3–4

types of, 14–15

balanced ecosystems, 1–2, 15–16

bass, 88

bentonite, 127

birds, 10–11, 19–20

bluegill, 88

bog filters, 144–146

bog plants, 37

bogs, 45, 142–144

borrowed views, 35

bridge footings, 70–72

broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia), 103

bubblers, 115

building ponds. See construction; design; planning

C

calcium, 8

carbon dioxide, 2–6, 9

carpet, 68–69

cattails (Typha spp.), 21, 103–104

channel catfish, 88–89

clay, 58, 126–127

cleaning ponds, 111

climate and pond depth, 44

construction

preformed liner installation, 58–61

site evaluation, 55–57

soil type, 58

construction, flexible liners

calculating size requirements, 61–63

digging the hole, 63–67

finishing touches, 80–81

hiding liner edge, 78–79

hole preparation, 67–69

inflows, 78

leveling pond edge, 76–77

liner installation, 69–70, 72

spillways, 77–78

D

dammed ponds, 127–128

dams, 57, 129–131

decks, 35–36

decomposition, 5

deicers, 115

depth of pond, 44

design

access, 35–36, 47–50

dams, 129–131

features of man-made ponds, 28–34

features of native ponds, 24–27

inflow, 131–132

natural look, 23–24, 34–35

outflow, 77–78, 132–134

plants, 36–38

shape and size, 42–43, 44, 50–51

stones, 36

See also planning

docks, 48–49, 70–72

dragonflies, 19

duck potato (Sagittaria latifolia), 105

duckweed, 94–95

dwarf cattail (Typha minima), 103

dwarf umbrella palm (Cyperus alternifolius ‘Gracilis’), 107

E

ecosystems, balanced, 1–2, 15–16

edible plants, 21–22

electrical power access, 41–42

embankment ponds, 127–128

environmental benefits, 17–22

Environmental Protection Agency, 21

eutrophication, 135

excavated ponds, 127–128

F

fertilizers, 7, 93

filamentous algae, 10

fish

in aquaculture ponds, 121–122

effect of frozen pond, 114–115

effect of waste, 8, 110–111

feeding, 11–12

number of, 83–84

oxygen levels and, 3, 111

pH range for, 9

in swimming ponds, 139

types of, 85–89

water quality and, 11

flathead minnow, 89

flexible liners

about, 47

leaks, 115–117

flexible liners, pond construction with

calculating size requirements, 61–63

digging the hole, 63–67

finishing touches, 80–81

hiding liner edge, 78–79

hole preparation, 67–69

inflows, 78

leveling pond edge, 76–77

liner installation, 69–70, 72

spillways, 77–78

footings for docks and bridges, 70–72

fountains, 129

G

game fish, 87–89

gas exchange, 4–5

geothermal ponds, 123

giant umbrella palm (Cyperus involucratus), 107

golden orfe, 87

goldfish, 85

grasses, 134

H

hardy water lilies, 100, 101

hobby fish, 85–87

hydrogen sulfide, 15

I

ice, 5, 44, 114–115

inflows, 78, 131–132

insects

effect of water quality on, 11

in pond ecosystem, 17–18, 19

in swimming ponds, 139

invasive plants, 94–95

irises, 97–98

irrigation ponds, 119–120

J

Japanese iris (Iris ensata), 98

Japanese water iris (Iris laevigata), 98

K

koi, 85–86

L

large umbrella palm (Cyperus involucratus), 107

largemouth bass, 88

large-scale ponds

aeration systems, 128–129

construction, 127–128

dam construction, 129–131

inflow design, 131–132

liners, 126–127

outflow design, 132–134

plants, 134–135

regulations, 123–124

types of, 119–123

water sources, 125–126

lawns, 21

leaks in liner, 115–117

leaves, removal of, 113–114

legal issues, 41

lighting, 41–42

liners

in large-scale ponds, 126–127

leaks, 115–117

natural, 46–47

preformed, 47, 58–61

See also flexible liners

livestock ponds, 122

location of pond, 39–40

Louisiana iris (Iris ser. Hexagonae), 98

M

magnesium, 8

maintenance

organic matter removal, 113–114

swimming ponds, 141

tasks not required, 109–112

water addition, 112–113

winter care, 114–115

mammals, 10–11, 19–20

man-made ponds, features of, 27–35

marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), 102–103

microbes, 13–15

See also bacteria

minnows, 89

mosquito fish, 86–87

mosquitoes, 19

N

narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia), 103

native ponds, features of, 24–27

natural swimming pools, 123, 137–142

nitrate, 8

nitrogen, 7–8

nutrients, 6–8, 13, 14

O

organic matter, 5, 113–114

outflows, 77–78, 132–134

overlayment, 73–74

oxygen

balanced levels, 2–6

daily cycle, 9

effect on fish, 11

measurement of, 111

oxygenating plants, 95

P

permaculture food sources, 21–22

permits, 123–124

pH levels, 2, 9, 109–110

phosphate, 6–7

photosynthesis, 4

pickerel weed (Pontedaria cordata), 106

planktonic algae, 10

planning

effect of trees, 46

electrical power access, 41–42

excavated soil, 52–53

legal issues, 41

liner type, 47

location, 39–40

plants, 52

rocks, 50

site evaluation, 55–57

water source, 45

See also design

plant pots, 92

planting shelves

design, 50–52

digging, 65

installing rocks, 74–76

liner protection, 73–74

plants

around the pond, 92

edible, 21–22

fertilizers, 93

installation of, 92–93

invasive, 94–95

in large-scale ponds, 134–135

list of pond plants, 96–97

nutrients, 6–8

oxygen use, 4

pH range for, 9

pond design and, 36–38, 52

problems, 86, 94

recommended, 97–107

roles of, 12–13, 91

winter care, 114

pond liners. See flexible liners; liners

pond scum, 10

ponds

features of man-made, 28–34

features of native, 24–27

See also large-scale ponds

potassium, 6

preformed liners, 47, 58–61

R

rain, pH of, 9

rain gardens, 45, 146–148

rainbow trout, 89

recreational ponds, 123, 137–142

redear sunfish, 88

regulations, 123–124, 139

rocks, 36, 50, 66–67

S

safety, 41, 140

salt, 84

sand, 128

scented rush (Acorus calamus), 104–105

shape of pond, 50–51

shoreline plants, 92, 134

shrubs, 12, 134

Siberian iris (Iris siberica), 98

site evaluation, 55–57

size of pond, 42–43

slime, 14, 111

slope, 55–57, 127–128

sludge, 14–15

soil

excavated, 52–53

for plants, 92

type of, 58

spillways, 77–78, 132–134

springs, 45, 125

stones, 36, 50, 66–67

stratification, 128–129

streams, 126

string algae, 10

submersible plants, 95

surface runoff water, 125

sweet flag (Acorus calamus), 104–105

swimming ponds, 123, 137–142

swimming pools, 41

T

tap water, 8, 113

temperature, effect on oxygen levels, 4

tonics, 84

trees, 12, 46, 134

tropical water lilies, 100, 101–102

troubleshooting. See maintenance

trout, 89

U

umbrella palm (Cyperus spp.), 107

underlayment, 67–69

utility lines, 55

V

variegated dwarf umbrella palm (Cyperus alternifolius ‘Variegatus’), 107

W

wapato (Sagittaria latifolia), 105

water

addition of, 112

conservation, 20

regulation of, 123–124

salts in, 113

water circulation, 140–141

water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), 52, 99–102

water sources

large-scale ponds, 125–126

in pond planning, 45

rain garden as, 146–147

tap water, 8

waterfowl, 122

well water, 125

winter care, 114–115