Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction Welcome from East Bloomfield, NY

Hi all,
We just got a 0.6 acre pond dug this fall in our front field on a hillside. We are very excited about the recreational opportunities with this new pond! I will have a few questions about stocking in support of wildlife such as amphibians, and when to do it.
My experience is a lot of aquariums over the years and small garden ponds. We plan on swimming and fishing primarily.
One question up front is we have a small stream filling the pond besides springs, but this stream originates in farm fields next door with a spring. While they have not used pesticides to date, should I invest in diverting this stream as needed from the pond? Probably originates on 2 acres of farmed land. Another option would be to help the farmer by investing in tile to keep the spring underground away from pesticides.
I hear pesticide content from tiled water is very low, but nitrogen can be high.
Anyhow, I'm excited at watching the pond fill and come to life.

18 feet deep, somewhere around 0.7 acres once I am done making some shallow habitat.

Welcome Squid and congrats on the new slice of heaven!

Before even considering diverting water, check out the legalities, especially since it's shared water.

Hmm, I cannot imagine a problem since the stream only runs in 4 months out of the year, and I would be diverting it where it used to go before it moved on the far end of the pond and enters a ditch along the roadway, but it doesn't hurt to check. Thanks.

These are the pictures of the pond construction, plus a really recent muddy one after rain. Pond is about 1/4 full after only about 1.5 months, which for the estimated 3.7M gallons is impressive.

https://picasaweb.google.com/wymanfamily3/PondProject?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Thanks for responding!

-Mark

Another welcome from Pond Boss.

Not to discourage you, but to encourage you. I second what my friend Omaha says -- particularly because you are in New York State. New York state has about of the strictest water and fish-owning regulations anywhere east of the Mississippi. Please be sure you are within their regulations, or they can make your life miserable.

The photos make it look like a really fabulous place.

Ken