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Ponds

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Description:

OSU Extension offers practical, science-based guidance for managing ponds used for irrigation, livestock, wildlife and recreation. We help landowners understand pond design, water quality and maintenance to support healthy, functional water systems.

Woodland Ponds: A Field Guide

By Steve Bowers

This field guide describes in detail the steps woodland landowners would take to build a large pond on their properties. The guide describes the planning, permitting and construction of the pond, and includes sections on maintaining and repairing woodland ponds. It also describes the aesthetic values and benefits to wildlife of woodland ponds.

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Photo Credit: rainerkerber - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

Cyanobacterium research - Oregon Beef Council Report

This report is on research done in response to the death of 23 steers near Lakeview, OR in June 2017 was due to poisoning by microcystin toxin produced by the newly recognized Anabaena sp. JUN03 cyanobacterium. See page 33 of the report.

Peter Schreder, Theo W. Dreher, Lindsay P. Collarta, Ryan S. Muellera, Kimberly H. Halsey, Robert J. Bildfell, Arya Sobhakumarie, Rodney Ferry | Jul 2020 | Online resource Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Algae Blooms in ponds, rivers, and lakes

Oregon Health Authority website has information on Blue-Green Algae, including Current Cyanobacteria Advisories. They note, "Don't go into water that looks foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish red. A good rule of thumb for you and your pet is: When in Doubt, Stay Out!"

Shelby Filley | May 2020 | Online resource

Will newts destroy my trout pond?

I just stocked a small pond with fingerling (~1-1.5 inch) rainbow trout and now realize we have a very large number of Rough skin newts and their eggs. I heard these were voracious carnivores and fear for the lives of ...

Michael O'Loughlin | Apr 2024 | Featured question

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Featured Resources

Water Systems: Taking Care of a Precious Resource

These best practices for wells, ponds and other water systems can help you secure a safe, reliable water supply and help to ensure that we protect our streams, lakes and groundwater.

Rachel Werling, Stan Dean | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Wildlife cameras: A snapshot of what you need to know

Wildlife cameras can provide a window into the natural world that would otherwise go unseen. Here's a guide to getting started, from what to buy to how to place them for the best chances of capturing wildlife photos.

Lauren Grand | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

More pond resources

  • Algae Blooms in ponds, rivers, and lakes: Oregon Health Authority website has information on Blue-Green Algae, including Current Cyanobacteria Advisories. They note, "Don't go into water that looks foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish red. A good rule of thumb for you and your pet is: When in Doubt, Stay Out!"
  • USGS Oregon Water Science Center: Our mission is to explore the natural world around us and provide reliable scientific information to help Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and the public make well-informed decisions. Our research is widely used to manage Oregon's water resources for the benefit and safety of people and the environment.
  • The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

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Meet Our Experts

Miranda Gray
Coastal Water Resources Extension Educator

Topics Miranda works on include: Watershed conservation and restoration, Drinking water, Water wise landscaping, Citizen science, Water data and technology

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Will newts destroy my trout pond?

Q: I just stocked a small pond with fingerling (~1-1.5 inch) rainbow trout and now realize we have a very large number of Rough skin newts and their eggs. I heard these were voracious carnivores and fear for the lives of ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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