Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Adding vegatation to a pond?

In the planing stages for a 1/2 to 3/4 acre pond to be built later this summer. The dam will be on the west side of the pond. I am planning a shallow area on the east side of the pond to support BG spawning areas, plus give cover for wood ducks. Most of the pond shoreline will be 3' deep right at the shore, to reduce vegatation but this east end I want a shallow slope and shallow next to the shore. This are will be no bigger than 1/10 of an acre (40' x 100'). Should I plan on planting this to get the right vegatation growing? If so, any suggestions?

I've heard it's generally a good idea to fill niche spaces with something you want before something undesirable comes in. I planted Vellisnaria americana in my 1-acre pond last year and it grew nicely over the summer. Though I had to collect the shoots from nearby river for transplanting. The shallow area we planned covers <30% of the pond surface area, which is about right according to literature I've read. At the deep edge of the shallow area, we made a rock reef/crayfish habitat to help control the vegetation.

Good luck with your planting.
SC

First before I spend a lot of time rehashing old information do some searching (Search feature) and esp check the Heading AQUATIC VEGETATION - Balance of Plants in the Environment. There is also probably some good posts on this topic in Questions and Observations.

Sorry Bill, I didn't see those forums, must be old age setting in. I will check them out.

No need to be sorry, just check out the old posts and come back with unanswered questions. Glad to help after a little searching and reading.

Here are just a few of the good old posts. Also be sure to search the Questions and Observations section for plants to add to a pond. Ideally there should be an archive post to cover this topic or a really good PBoss magazine article. If I get some time I will put it together, but it may not be soon.
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36366#Post36366

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36401#Post36401

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36408#Post36408

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36489#Post36489

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36543#Post36543

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36543#Post36543

Thanks Bill, I will go though these. I have time the pond is being built this July-August, so I am not expecting it to be full until spring 2010 at the earliest, all depends on Ma Nature. Assuming I need to wait until the pond is full before I can plant this vegetation?