About the District

Ponds

Landowners construct ponds for a variety of reasons. On farms, ponds can provide sources of water for livestock and irrigation of crops. People also construct ponds on their homesteads for fish production (click here to find out about our annual fish sale), fire protection with dry hydrants, wildlife habitat, landscape improvement, and perhaps most of all, recreation.

The Tompkins County SWCD provides a pond site evaluation service for landowners interested in determining if their site is appropriate for the construction of a pond. The fee for this service is $35. One of our technicians will arrange an appointment with you and meet you at the site. The pond site evaluation consists of a soils map of the site, soils information, topographic map with the contributing watershed outlined, the USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service publication entitled "Ponds-Planning, Design, Construction", NYSDEC and/or US Fish & Wildlife wetlands information, photos of the site, a local contractors list, and any other pertinent information that may be applicable to your site.

The District can also provide landowners with information about vegetation control in ponds, stocking your pond with fish, and pond maintenance.

If you have any pond questions, please contact us at 607-257-2340 and ask to speak with our District Technician.

For more information about ponds, please visit the "Fish Management in NY Ponds" website at www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/fish/pond1.htm