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A pond's purpose

Ponds are generally classified into the following types: Wildlife, Fishing, Swimming, Commercial and Stormwater. Each type is suited to different uses. The table below highlights types of ponds most suitable for different natural conditions.
Pond Type Characteristics Aesthetics Boating Fishing Swimming Wildlife
Wildlife

Heavily vegetated with buffer strips. Generally shallow (<3 feet) with irregular, gently sloping shore.

May be suited

May be suited

Less suited

Less suited

Best suited
Fishing

Moderately vegetated (30-50%) with steep drop-offs. Generally deeper than 15 feet although with groundwater or surface flow, may be < 5 feet.

May be suited

May be suited

Best suited

May be suited

May be suited
Swimming

Maximum vegetation < 90% with gradual slopes and firm bottom. Typically mowed shoreline or beach in swimming area with major buffer strips on rest of pond to limit runoff and sustain water quality.

May be suited

May be suited

Less suited

Best suited

Less suited
Commercial

Ornamental pond or cooling pond with < 40% vegetation and variable depths and sizes.

May be suited

Less suited

Less suited

Less suited

Less suited
Stormwater

Designed to catch and hold runoff from subdivisions, parking lots, roads and other urban areas, Normally has an outflow.

May be suited

Less suited

Less suited

Less suited

Less suited



The right ingredients

Consider the following when planning your pond:

Key:

ó Beneficial to Wildlife
ô Beneficial to Fish
Š Beneficial to Swimming

Water source

  • Cold groundwater (spring water) ó ô Š
  • Watershed runoff ó
  • Coldwater stream ó ô
  • Warmwater stream ó ô Š

Shoreline attributes

  • Natural buffer ó
  • Rock riprap or brick Š
  • Manicured lawn Š
  • Sand or pea gravel bottom Š
  • Soft or mucky bottom ó ô

Pond shape

  • Round Š
  • Irregular ó
  • Shallow with gentle side slopes ó
  • Deep with steep side slopes ô Š

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