Farm PondsFarm Pondsand and

Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife

Ponds provide fish and wildlife habitatPonds provide fish and wildlife habitat Leave shallow water Leave shallow water

pond margins or pond margins or “shelves” with “shelves” with submerged and submerged and emergent vegetation - emergent vegetation - good for wildlife such good for wildlife such as waterfowlas waterfowl

Manage the pond for Manage the pond for fishingfishing

NC Wildlife biologists NC Wildlife biologists can assist, call us! can assist, call us! www.ncwildlife.orgwww.ncwildlife.org

Site selection is the most important step!Site selection is the most important step!

High quality and rare species habitats should be High quality and rare species habitats should be

avoided. Again, we can help!avoided. Again, we can help!

Avoid streams - build it off-line and use stream Avoid streams - build it off-line and use stream intake or shallow groundwater! intake or shallow groundwater!

Partial stream flow diversion preferred to on-line dams.Partial stream flow diversion preferred to on-line dams.

Some Implications of on-line Some Implications of on-line stream impoundments:stream impoundments:

Aquatic life barrierAquatic life barrier Stream, wetland, and riparian lossesStream, wetland, and riparian losses Stream flow reductionStream flow reduction Listed species impactsListed species impacts Sediment trapping (+/-)Sediment trapping (+/-) Organic material trapping (aquatic food base)Organic material trapping (aquatic food base) Warming and water quality changesWarming and water quality changes

Maintain Water Quality and Stream FlowMaintain Water Quality and Stream Flow

•““Cool-water release” riser outlet Cool-water release” riser outlet

(standard in trout waters)(standard in trout waters)

•Perforate inner pipe of riser outlet Perforate inner pipe of riser outlet

to maintain to maintain minimum outflowminimum outflow

(downstream neighbors have a right (downstream neighbors have a right

to water under state doctrine)to water under state doctrine)

•Riser diagram - http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/documents/PONDMAN5.PDF)Riser diagram - http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/documents/PONDMAN5.PDF)•Perforated riser - hPerforated riser - http://www.abe.msstate.edu/csd/NRCS-BMPs/pdf/water/quality/det_devices.pdf

Remember that an impoundment will catch Remember that an impoundment will catch

mud too – they are in-stream sediment basins!mud too – they are in-stream sediment basins!

So, landowners may want to pursue So, landowners may want to pursue

riparian improvement in the watershed.riparian improvement in the watershed.

Permits and conditionsPermits and conditions

In addition to location and design In addition to location and design considerations, construction may be subject to considerations, construction may be subject to seasonal restrictions to protect sensitive seasonal restrictions to protect sensitive aquatic life (moratoria)aquatic life (moratoria)

Fish stocking permit may be required Fish stocking permit may be required

(15A NCAC 10C .0209)(15A NCAC 10C .0209)

Give us a call!Give us a call!

Permits or otherwise, WRC staff are pleased to Permits or otherwise, WRC staff are pleased to provide technical advice and direction.provide technical advice and direction.

CoastCoast Maria DunnMaria Dunn 252/948-3916252/948-3916

PiedmontPiedmont Ron LinvilleRon Linville 336/769-9453336/769-9453

Mountain Region Mountain Region Dave McHenryDave McHenry 828/452-0422 x24828/452-0422 x24