Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Slope of sides of pond?

I'm about to build a new pond. My old pond has slowly sloping sides so I have a lot of shallow areas around it. I have a bad problem with what I think is Southern Naiad around the sides. Anyhow, I've been told that I won't have this problem in the new pond if I have steeper sides. At what depth does Southern Naiad and other aquatic plants stop growing? I want to slope the sides on the new pond so I get to that depth as quickly as possible. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi fowlball. I think the recommend slope is something like 2 to 1 so when you're 2 feet from the waterline the depth is 1 foot. I think I've seen ponds that are even steeper. I think the limiting factor on making steep banks is more about keeping the soil in place than anything else.

I can't say much more because my first pond is only a few months old and I chose to build it with a gradual slope. My pond is more about a natural habitat than easy fishing.

For safety, 3:1 is about the steepest you can walk out of if you fall in.

Lusk advises adding a climb-out feature, like a permanently placed ladder, in ponds with really steep sides.