Properties with ponds provide some of the most beautiful sights of wildlife and can also be a great source of fun through activities like fishing, swimming, and even boating. But because of all of the benefits that come from owning a pond, properties with ponds tend to be valued higher, which may lead you to pay more for the property. Before you make such a sizable investment, it’s important to know all of the factors that go into owning a pond.
Not all ponds are built the same
While it’s true that ponds can be great for fishing, swimming, and seeing creatures in their natural habitat, not all ponds are built for all these things. So before you purchase a pond you need to ask yourself, “What do I want out of this pond?”
Ponds for swimming
If it’s safe swimming with no creatures that you’re after, you’re going to have to put in the work of keeping the pond clean and mowing the grass surrounding the pond. Wildlife loves places to hide and so they will be discouraged from joining your pond if it’s wide open.
You should also pay attention to the underwater surface of the pond as well as vegetation may begin to grow. To prevent this from occurring, be wary about the nutrients that could be coming into the pond. These may come from various fertilizers or manure present in the surrounding area If vegetation does begin to enter the pond, herbicides and algaecides can help treat the issue.
Ponds for wildlife
Perhaps you are more interested in wildlife than swimming and want to view majestic creatures from your window. Well, just like prepping a pond for swimming, making a pond hospitable for wildlife requires a lot of maintenance. You will want to create plenty of cover throughout the pond and surrounding grass for critters to hide.
You will also want to pay attention to the shape of the pond. A pond with steep sides in a bowl shape may be more difficult for wildlife to settle in while an irregularly shaped pond with shallow sections will allow for microhabitats to form. Additionally, human activity may deter creatures from engaging with your pond so be sure to interact with it sparingly and take note of its proximity to other human-filled environments. This can include other houses, roads, or even parks.
Alongside creating initial conditions to support wildlife, you will also need to check the drains and filters frequently to make sure they’re operating properly. The pond’s pH level will also need to be monitored as a poor pH level can hurt a pond’s wildlife. The bottom liner will require scrubbing as well.
While it is nice to create an ecosystem open to all animals, not all of them will contribute positively to the health of your pond and your overall property. Some creatures that you will want to deter from your pond include:
- Canada geese
- Muskrats
- Groundhogs
- Beavers
- Frogs
- Raccoons
- Snapping Turtles
- Herons
Ponds for fishing
If your main interest is fishing, then you will have to pay close attention to the ratio of predator fish to prey fish. An imbalance between these two will cause the overall fish population to decrease due to food shortage as a result of overpopulation. So if you begin to notice too many prey fish, add more predators, and vice versa.
A lot of the tips for promoting wildlife in the pond apply to maintaining your fish as well. You will want to make sure there’s plenty of places to hide for prey fish. You will also need to pay attention to what vegetation is present in the pond as some species can be toxic to your fish and some can be so dense that it may allow fish to hide from your fishing rod completely.
The value of a pond property
While it’s true that ponds require a lot of maintenance, they do still provide a lot of value to a property. A study performed by American Forest Management in 2017 found that properties that contained ponds spent 20% less time on the market than pondless properties. In a similar study, American Forest Management found that ponds could increase bare land values by an average of 6%. The range of impact from a pond could increase the value of a bare land property from 0% to 42%.
Pond regulation
Along with frequently examining the health of your pond, you will also want to monitor its abidance to your state and local laws. These can vary widely through each state, with some of them considering the water to be the property of the state. Before purchasing a property with a pond, research that it’s operating in accordance with your state and local laws.
Pond equipment
Just like a car, you will want to make sure that all of the equipment being used on the pond is in working order. You should be sure to find out the last time the pumps were serviced, what sort of lining is used and when it was installed, and what filtration methods and equipment are in place.
Ponds are still fun
Despite all of the maintenance involved with owning a pond, it’s important to still consider the benefits involved. A well-treated pond can provide a variety of fun pass times for people of all ages and are stunning to look at.
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