Cornell Cooperative Extension

Chenango County
flowers in a water lily pond
Image by Sandy Repp

Lily Pads can hurt a pond ecosystem if uncontrolled

Ponds

A pond can add both beauty and utility to your property. The following resources may be helpful as you consider building a pond, or managing an existing one.

Shovel and Pond

Building A New Pond

Successful ponds require careful planning. New ponds must be located in the best spot possible, supplied by a consistent water source, and constructed with an adequate spillway.

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brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814)

Stocking Your Pond

Trout, bass and blue gills are popular choices for stocking your pond. Find resources here that will explain fish choices, requirements, necessary permits, and more.

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Last updated April 6, 2020

Ponds

Chenango County SWCD

Soil & Water Conservation District Logo

Contact the Chenango County Soil & Water Conservation District for a pond site evaluation to determine if your site is appropriate for a pond. Now located at: 
99 North Broad Street 
Norwich, New York 13815 
(607) 334-8634 Ext. 101
vicki.reynolds@frontiernet.net

The Pond Guidebook

Cover of The Pond Guidebook (2007, Ochterski, et. al) at http://palspublishing.cals.cornell.edu/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&pr_id=163&_UserReference=C096DBA013CB87D6470CBD50

The Pond Guidebook (2007, Ochterski, et. al) is written for ponds of 1/8 acre or larger in the Northeast, the Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic United States. The authors explain the causes of many common pond problems and review the advantages and drawbacks of various treatments. The book suggests practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment, promote healthy ecosystems, encourage responsible use of chemicals, and enhance biological diversity.

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Farm Pond Safety

This fact sheet from Penn State University Cooperative Extension covers steps to take to prevent accidental drownings in your farm pond.