Those are two of the reasons many pond manuals suggest the use of intentional drawdowns. It is a commonly used management technique used more often in areas that get plenty of rain. You do have to pay attention to the population status and not let to many of a year class get decimated.
Also did you notice a reduction of small LMB (6-10 inches)? That is another often used reason for a drawdown - control of over abundant small LMB.
Never really thought about the impact on small LMB. Thanks for the info!
And yeah, the only reason I've hesitated to do a drawdown has been fear that rainfall might not refill pond quickly. A gamble I haven't quite been willing to take.
