In terms of vegetation control, what should be done to a pond that insures the vegetation stay controlled. These are subdivision ponds that have at one time been overgrown. Should I continue to treat with chemicals or just wait until something pops up then treat? I know that I should try and keep the nutrient inputs low and keep the water clarity low, but any other suggestions?

I'm not totally sure, with the cattails in my pond I have personally been spraying as I see 'em pop up sometimes twice a week...Then I'm giving them a few days to turn brown (insuring the herbicide has reached the root system) then cutting several inches below the water level to drown in out..As the summer and dry season approaches my pond level will drop a foot or so, at that time I plan to go around the pond and pull the cattails (that I cut earlier) by the root and all, as they should then be visible..

But I too am wondering about ongoing spraying and the overall health of my pond by doing so. I'm using a herbicide called Cattplex which is supposed to kill cattails, water lilies and other shore/emerged aquatic weeds to the root. It also says it's safe for humans, fish, livestock, pets, birds, swimming, consumption and irrigation.It Consists of 53.8% "glyphosate" which I'm not at all familiar with as I'm not a chemist...lol

Glyphosate is the same as Round-Up (and goes under many other brand/generic names). Broad spectrum herbicide (meaning it kills just about any plant... Besides, of course, Round-Up ready beans, corn, etc...)

FYI.

By Kelly on another thread :

Glyphosate ..... be cautioned that only aquatic-labeled formulations of glyphosate (usually containing 53.8% active-ingredient) should be applied to ponds & lakes, in combination with an aquatic surfactant.
The tallow-amine surfactants contained within many terrestrial-labeled glyphosate formulations (usually those containing 41% active-ingredient) are not intended nor desirable for direct application to aquatic sites.