The mowed area is across the dam and allows easy access to the dock, as well as keeping woody plants out (a must on the dam). However, burning, herbicide spot treatment, or infrequent mowing works fine also (which is how most of our dam is maintained. The mowed area is also part of a network of walking trails around our property. It took at least three years for the pond margins to look really good with heavy emergent growth around the whole pond. Of course, if you plant more and larger plants, things go faster. I have read a great deal on wildlife habitat restoration and I am trained as a biologist. My wife also has a B.S. in plant science and can germinate and grow anything. The Pond Boss site is also a great resource where you can see what other think of your plans (I have learned a lot here). Spring is probably a good time to plant, but you may want to get some annual rye on the bare ground ASAP. Any growth this fall will slow erosion. The DNR has been a great resource for me and you may be able to cost-share through the Partners program if you are willing to keep the ground in wildlife habitat for 10 years. If you are interested in this program, you need to start now to get funded. BTW - I just planted a new pond this spring and summer. I am 30 miles west of Indy. If you are up this way and want to visit, let me know.

Last edited by RAH; 10/05/13 06:07 PM.