| As a child growing up on our farm I enjoyed having 4 | | | | A lot of extra work was put into the fresh water |
| ponds but only one had any fish in them. Three of | | | | pond that wasn't for our farm animals to drink from. |
| the four ponds were meant for our livestock to drink | | | | Chuck would go to the river and get water cress and |
| from while the other was for our enjoyment. These | | | | other plants that looked great around the edges of |
| ponds were made by my older foster brother and | | | | the pond. We didn't have the lilies or plants like I see |
| was quite a thing to watch. They had no big | | | | in ponds today but that was almost 50 years ago |
| equipment to create these ponds, just a tractor with | | | | now and times have changed. But the plants that |
| a big scoop, which looked like a big shovel with two | | | | Chuck put in the pond helped to keep it shaded and |
| handles to control the depth and direction. Hard work | | | | to keep the water cooler than if it got direct sunlight |
| but a great result. | | | | all day long. |
| What Are Ponds? | | | | Note: Once you have picked the best spot for your |
| Well, ponds are small bodies of water, usually fresh | | | | fresh water pond the next step is to decide how |
| water, that can support life forms. Some ponds get | | | | deep to make your pond. You need to keep your |
| as large as a small lake while other I have seen are | | | | pond safe for people but also for any fish you might |
| just a half barrel in size. Most ponds are usually man | | | | put in your pond. You need to keep it deep enough |
| made and have their very own life ecosystem. My | | | | so the water doesn't heat up too much and kill your |
| favorite fresh water ponds come with fish, frogs and | | | | fish but you also want to keep it shallow enough so |
| other organisms in them. Fresh water ponds with fish | | | | that if any one falls in they won't drown. |
| and other animals are the most interesting to have in | | | | As a kid I only put catfish in my pond and they |
| the yard in my humble opinion. | | | | seemed to live just fine but most fresh water ponds |
| What You Need To Know To Make Your Own Fresh | | | | that will have fish will most likely need a filtration |
| Water Ponds With Fish | | | | system and an aerations system as well. Our ponds |
| Our ponds were deep enough to walk and swim in | | | | had dirt bottoms but most ponds today are made |
| but even as a kid the depth never went over my | | | | from artificial containers such as cement, plastic and |
| head or even past my arm pits. So even though they | | | | others. Plants and waterfalls or fountains can help |
| were fairly big they weren't deep. | | | | with the aeration process. |
| Chuck was always careful to check out the are a | | | | The kind of fish you will put in the fresh water pond |
| pond would go so that it was going to get the best | | | | must also be considered. Fresh water ponds with fish |
| lighting conditions but would also have some shade to | | | | need to accommodate the size and number of the |
| protect the fish that would eventually end up in the | | | | animals in it. You can not have too many fish in a |
| pond. I used to catch catfish from the river at the | | | | small pond. You must also consider that other animals |
| back of our farm and put them in the ponds that | | | | might take an interest in your pond such as frogs |
| cattle would drink from. My dad would get ticked at | | | | and insects. Snakes might also like the idea of a lot |
| me and tell me I was trying to scare the cows. | | | | of frogs so be careful of the also. |