Proper pond provision makes for pleasant experiences

NORTH LIBERTY - Ponds have the potential to create lifelong memories. Or they could become bank-breaking headaches.

Professionals say the key is proper construction.

A sustainable pond has to have a clay soil foundation, and for every acre, seven to 10 acres of watershed run off are needed to maintain water level.

'If you just don't have the water, it doesn't make any sense to build it because you're just going to have a mosquito hole,” said Don Farley, owner of Iowa Pond Construction in North Liberty.

With the onset of warm weather, pond installers are entering their busy time of year.

Farley noted that other important elements to a well-constructed pond are a dam with a clay core, a drain pipe set at the desired water level, and a spillway to control overflow in major rain events.

'We're directing the water to do what we want, not what it wants,” he said.

Farley said it is important ponds are built correctly the first time because - and this goes back to those headaches mentioned earlier - he's seen ponds cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000 to construct. When they aren't built properly, it only costs the client more to address problems such as dam damage and weeds.

Matt Schonhorst, co-owner of Ponds Iowa in Iowa City, said if a pond is deep enough, weeds shouldn't be a large problem because sunlight can't get to the bottom of the pond where the weeds grow. But sometimes they still can find a way to take up residence in your pond, and, Schonhorst noted, 'A lot of our clients are regular, season-long customers from April to October.”

Schonhorst also does minor repair work, fish stocking, and aeration.

Schonhorst said there are a few different methods to weed removal. Some he considers short-term solutions - such as putting dye in the water to block sunlight. Others are more long-term and water-quality focused.

Among the long-term solutions are putting nutrient stabilizers in the water to choke off the weeds' food sources and improve the overall quality of the water. Schonhorst said weeds may grow back after spraying - but if you kill them before they get a chance to reseed, the area it may diminish the overall number of weeds over time.

When the potential problems are mitigated, ponds can provide serval benefits, including a spot for fishermen.

Nick Kloubec, owner of Kloubec Earthworks in Amana, provides complimentary fish stocking with every pond he builds.

He said he consults with the owners about the kinds of fish they would like but before customers can break out their poles, he has to build a food chain in the pond. Kloubec starts by stocking the pond with species such as fathead minnows and white amur grass carp - which eat the algea in the ponds. Then he adds catfish or crappie.

A year later he said he may come back and put in predator fish such as smallmouth bass.

Despite the potential challenges, Farley insisted the beauty, fun and memories they provide are worth it when it is built and maintained correctly.

'There's just no drawbacks in doing a pond,” he said.