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If one objective of the pond is to maintain fish populations, part of the pond should be at least eight feet deep.
The edge between the terrestrial environment and the water is the shoreline.
This edge can be an extremely productive habitat for prey species such as insects, frogs, and crayfish, which in turn attract a diversity of birds and mammals.
When possible, the length of shoreline should be maximized.
This can be done by building ponds with irregular instead of circular shapes.
In large ponds, irregular shorelines having many coves enable pairs of birds to become visually isolated from one another.
That is, a pair of birds can set up a territory in one cove and not be seen by their neighbors in the next cove.
Research has shown that for many species the number of individuals that will breed on a pond is greatly increased when pairs are visually isolated from one another.
Mudflats, sandbars, and islands
Providing exposed mudflats or sandbars is one of the best ways of making a pond attractive to shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl.
Shorebirds and wading birds feed in these nutrient-rich areas while the waterfowl use them for resting and loafing.
Mudflats or sandbars are established and maintained by fluctuating water levels that deposit nutrients into the soil and keep permanent vegetation from becoming established.
Mudflats and sandbars will develop naturally in shallow ponds with gradually sloped sides.
The sloped sides will be underwater during periods of heavy rainfall and exposed during dry periods.
Islands within the center of the pond provide a place for waterfowl to nest where they are protected from predators such as racoons or local dogs and cats.
This is particularly important in suburban and urban areas where populations of these predators are high.
Even if the pond is small, try to establish at least one island.
An island as small as 30 square feet will provide a nest site for a pair of ducks.
These islands should be above the high water mark and should have sloped sides SO water will drain.
Establishing grass on the island will prevent erosion and provide nesting cover.
Shrubs and trees along the edge of ponds and islands provide nest sites, perching sites, and cover for a variety of wildlife.
Aquatic plants within the pond provide food and cover for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Although a completely barren pond
will eventually develop vegetation, it will do SO faster and become an attractive pond with both aesthetic and wildlife value when a landscape plan is developed and implemented.
The types of vegetation that can be established depend on the water depth and also on how frequently the area is inundated with water.
For landscaping purposes, Schueler has divided stormwater ponds into six zones that relate to soil moisture and the types of vegetation that can be established.
The tables on pages 4-5 provide a representative list of plant species that can be planted in most zones.
Nest boxes along the edge of the pond and nesting platforms within the pond can be used to attract a variety of wildlife and will increase the visibility of wildlife to people visiting the pond.
Species that use nest boxes include the eastern bluebird, house wren, tree swallow, and purple martin.
A pond near woods may also attract wood ducks.
Canada geese, and mallards will nest on platforms in the pond, and turtles and ducks will use loafing platforms.
Nest boxes and platforms can be built or purchased from local lawn and garden stores or nature centers, or you can contact your local county Extension office or the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for plans to construct your own.
Summary of Planning for Stormwater Control Ponds
A summary of planning and design guidelines for optimizing the value of constructed urban stormwater control ponds as wetland reserves for wildlife is presented below.
Where possible, impoundments for stormwater control should retain water rather than merely detain it.
Pond design must meet applicable stormwater control criteria, including legal requirements.
Natural resources personnel, including biologists, should be consulted during the planning and design stages.
All potential pond locations should be evaluated to select the most suitable site in relation to the developed area and surroundings, and in recognition of physical, social, economic, and biologic factors.
There should be an adequate drainage area to provide a dependable source of water for the intended year-round use of the pond, considering seepage and evaporation losses.
The soil on site must have sufficient bearing strength to support the dam without excessive consolidation and be impermeable enough to hold water.
The pond site should be located in an area where disturbances to valuable existing wildlife habitat by construction activities will be avoided or minimized.
Impoundments with gently sloping sides are preferable to impoundments with steep slopes.
Gently sloping sides will encourage the establishment of marsh vegetation.
Vegetation will provide food and cover for wildlife and help to enhance water quality.
Impound-
ments with gently sloping sides are also safer than steepsided ponds for children who might enter the impoundments, and gently sloping sides facilitate use by terrestrial wildlife.
Water depth should not exceed 2 ft.
for 25 percent to 50 percent of the water surface area, with approximately 50 percent to 75 percent having a depth not less than 3 1/2 ft.
An emergent vegetation/open-water ratio of about 50:50 should be maintained.
For larger impoundments , one or more small islands should be constructed.
The shape and position of islands should be designed to help direct water flow within the impoundment.
Water flow around and between islands can help to oxygenate the water and prevent stagnation.
Water quality can be enhanced by a flow-through system where water is continually flushed through the impoundment.
Islands should be gently sloping, and the tops should be graded to provide good drainage.
Appropriate vegetative cover should be established to prevent erosion and provide bird nesting cover.
Consideration should be given to including an overland flow area in the design of large impoundments.
Impoundments should be designed with the capacity to regulate water levels, including complete drainage, and with facilities for cleaning, if necessary.
Locating permanent-water impoundments near existing wetlands generally will enhance the wildlife values of impoundments.
Plants for Stormwater Control Pond Vegetation Zones
Every effort has been made to fit wetland plants into appropriate zones.
However, many plants can be quite adaptable to a variety of zones and may spread or move after initial planting.
The following woody species may not need to be seeded because they may invade naturally: red maple , silver maple , box elder , green ash , sycamore , river birch , and cottonwood.
Zone 1: Deep Water
Common Name Scientific Name
Water Milfoil Myriophyllum spp.
American Lotus* Nelumbo lutea
White Water Lily Nymphea odorata
These species are invasive and can cover the entire open * water portion of a pond.
To control the invasive nature of these plants.
grow them in containers.
Zone 2: Shallow Water
Cooper Iris Iris fulva
Southern Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor
Pickerel Weed Pontederia cordata
Sweet Flag Acorus calamus
Lizard's Tail Saururus cernuus
Water Plantain Alisma subcordatum
Creeping Primrose Ludwigia repens
Marsh Millet Zizaniopsis miliacea
Swamp Privet Forestiera acuminata
Swamp Haw Viburnum nudum
Common Alder Alnus serrulata
Swamp Rose Rosa palustris
Rose Mallow* Hibiscus moscheutos
Swamp Mallow* Hibiscus militaris
Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum
Water Tupelo Nyssa aquatica
Water Hickory Carya aquatica
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor
Overcup Oak Quercus lyrata
Zone 3: Pond Shoreline.
Common Name Scientific Name
Marsh Violet Viola cucullata
Tickseed Sunflower Bidens spp.
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
Monkey Flower Mimulus ringens or
Joe-pye-weed Eupatorium fistulosum or
Red Milkweed Asclepias incarnata
Soapwort Gentian Gentian saponaria

If one objective of the pond is to maintain fish populations, part of the pond should be at least eight feet deep.

The edge between the terrestrial environment and the water is the shoreline.

This edge can be an extremely productive habitat for prey species such as insects, frogs, and crayfish, which in turn attract a diversity of birds and mammals.

When possible, the length of shoreline should be maximized.

This can be done by building ponds with irregular instead of circular shapes.

In large ponds, irregular shorelines having many coves enable pairs of birds to become visually isolated from one another.

That is, a pair of birds can set up a territory in one cove and not be seen by their neighbors in the next cove.

Research has shown that for many species the number of individuals that will breed on a pond is greatly increased when pairs are visually isolated from one another.

Mudflats, sandbars, and islands

Providing exposed mudflats or sandbars is one of the best ways of making a pond attractive to shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl.

Shorebirds and wading birds feed in these nutrient-rich areas while the waterfowl use them for resting and loafing.

Mudflats or sandbars are established and maintained by fluctuating water levels that deposit nutrients into the soil and keep permanent vegetation from becoming established.

Mudflats and sandbars will develop naturally in shallow ponds with gradually sloped sides.

The sloped sides will be underwater during periods of heavy rainfall and exposed during dry periods.

Islands within the center of the pond provide a place for waterfowl to nest where they are protected from predators such as racoons or local dogs and cats.

This is particularly important in suburban and urban areas where populations of these predators are high.

Even if the pond is small, try to establish at least one island.

An island as small as 30 square feet will provide a nest site for a pair of ducks.

These islands should be above the high water mark and should have sloped sides SO water will drain.

Establishing grass on the island will prevent erosion and provide nesting cover.

Shrubs and trees along the edge of ponds and islands provide nest sites, perching sites, and cover for a variety of wildlife.

Aquatic plants within the pond provide food and cover for waterfowl and other wildlife.

Although a completely barren pond

will eventually develop vegetation, it will do SO faster and become an attractive pond with both aesthetic and wildlife value when a landscape plan is developed and implemented.

The types of vegetation that can be established depend on the water depth and also on how frequently the area is inundated with water.

For landscaping purposes, Schueler has divided stormwater ponds into six zones that relate to soil moisture and the types of vegetation that can be established.

The tables on pages 4-5 provide a representative list of plant species that can be planted in most zones.

Nest boxes along the edge of the pond and nesting platforms within the pond can be used to attract a variety of wildlife and will increase the visibility of wildlife to people visiting the pond.

Species that use nest boxes include the eastern bluebird, house wren, tree swallow, and purple martin.

A pond near woods may also attract wood ducks.

Canada geese, and mallards will nest on platforms in the pond, and turtles and ducks will use loafing platforms.

Nest boxes and platforms can be built or purchased from local lawn and garden stores or nature centers, or you can contact your local county Extension office or the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for plans to construct your own.

Summary of Planning for Stormwater Control Ponds

A summary of planning and design guidelines for optimizing the value of constructed urban stormwater control ponds as wetland reserves for wildlife is presented below.

Where possible, impoundments for stormwater control should retain water rather than merely detain it.

Pond design must meet applicable stormwater control criteria, including legal requirements.

Natural resources personnel, including biologists, should be consulted during the planning and design stages.

All potential pond locations should be evaluated to select the most suitable site in relation to the developed area and surroundings, and in recognition of physical, social, economic, and biologic factors.

There should be an adequate drainage area to provide a dependable source of water for the intended year-round use of the pond, considering seepage and evaporation losses.

The soil on site must have sufficient bearing strength to support the dam without excessive consolidation and be impermeable enough to hold water.

The pond site should be located in an area where disturbances to valuable existing wildlife habitat by construction activities will be avoided or minimized.

Impoundments with gently sloping sides are preferable to impoundments with steep slopes.

Gently sloping sides will encourage the establishment of marsh vegetation.

Vegetation will provide food and cover for wildlife and help to enhance water quality.

Impound-

ments with gently sloping sides are also safer than steepsided ponds for children who might enter the impoundments, and gently sloping sides facilitate use by terrestrial wildlife.

Water depth should not exceed 2 ft.

for 25 percent to 50 percent of the water surface area, with approximately 50 percent to 75 percent having a depth not less than 3 1/2 ft.

An emergent vegetation/open-water ratio of about 50:50 should be maintained.

For larger impoundments , one or more small islands should be constructed.

The shape and position of islands should be designed to help direct water flow within the impoundment.

Water flow around and between islands can help to oxygenate the water and prevent stagnation.

Water quality can be enhanced by a flow-through system where water is continually flushed through the impoundment.

Islands should be gently sloping, and the tops should be graded to provide good drainage.

Appropriate vegetative cover should be established to prevent erosion and provide bird nesting cover.

Consideration should be given to including an overland flow area in the design of large impoundments.

Impoundments should be designed with the capacity to regulate water levels, including complete drainage, and with facilities for cleaning, if necessary.

Locating permanent-water impoundments near existing wetlands generally will enhance the wildlife values of impoundments.

Plants for Stormwater Control Pond Vegetation Zones

Every effort has been made to fit wetland plants into appropriate zones.

However, many plants can be quite adaptable to a variety of zones and may spread or move after initial planting.

The following woody species may not need to be seeded because they may invade naturally: red maple , silver maple , box elder , green ash , sycamore , river birch , and cottonwood.

Zone 1: Deep Water

Common Name Scientific Name

Water Milfoil Myriophyllum spp.

American Lotus* Nelumbo lutea

White Water Lily Nymphea odorata

These species are invasive and can cover the entire open * water portion of a pond.

To control the invasive nature of these plants.

grow them in containers.

Zone 2: Shallow Water

Cooper Iris Iris fulva

Southern Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor

Pickerel Weed Pontederia cordata

Sweet Flag Acorus calamus

Lizard's Tail Saururus cernuus

Water Plantain Alisma subcordatum

Creeping Primrose Ludwigia repens

Marsh Millet Zizaniopsis miliacea

Swamp Privet Forestiera acuminata

Swamp Haw Viburnum nudum

Common Alder Alnus serrulata

Swamp Rose Rosa palustris

Rose Mallow* Hibiscus moscheutos

Swamp Mallow* Hibiscus militaris

Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum

Water Tupelo Nyssa aquatica

Water Hickory Carya aquatica

Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor

Overcup Oak Quercus lyrata

Zone 3: Pond Shoreline.

Common Name Scientific Name

Marsh Violet Viola cucullata

Tickseed Sunflower Bidens spp.

Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis

Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica

Monkey Flower Mimulus ringens or

Joe-pye-weed Eupatorium fistulosum or

Red Milkweed Asclepias incarnata

Soapwort Gentian Gentian saponaria