Nebraska Pond Management Handbook guide to healthy ponds - Tom Keith



Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska pond owners, pond managers and those interested in developing farm ponds are urged to obtain a copy of the “Nebraska Pond Management Handbook” now available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The Nebraska Pond Management Handbook provides information on pond construction, environmental modifications, stocking, management, and potential maintenance problems that will help pond owners and managers correct existing problems and prevent others before they develop.

Pond owners and managers may obtain hard copies of the 96-page handbook free by contacting the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium or fisheries personnel at Commission offices in Alliance, Bassett, Norfolk, North Platte, Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha. Others interested in farm pond development and management can download the entire handbook or individual chapters at no charge on the Commission’s web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Persons who obtain a book or download its contents will be asked a few basic questions and their answers will be used to determine the demand and usefulness of the publication.

The book was written by Jeff Blaser, the Commission’s private waters specialist, and Rick Eades, an urban fisheries specialist, to provide information for landowners to use to manage their existing ponds or construct new ones.

Blaser said many of Nebraska’s ponds provide good fishing, while other don’t because of improper construction, management, or conflicting uses.

“Ponds need to have good water quality, favorable aquatic habitat and proper management to develop balanced fish populations that will achieve desired angling goals,” Blaser said. “It’s also crucial that ponds have adequate water depths to prevent excessive growth of aquatic vegetation and to support aquatic life when adverse environmental conditions occur.”