What all uses does a pond bring?

Okay, we are considering a pond on the property, but what all potential does it have?

It's good to have somewhere for rainwater to go instead of being wasted.

You can put fish in it.

Would you want to organize paddocks for rotational grazing around it for animals to have access to water?

Is it wise to let kids play and swim in a pond if you plan on having fish in it?


This may sound silly, caue I love the iea of a pond, but wen asked what it will be used for, I only had a couple ideas. What other uses does it provide?

A big use often overlooked is water supply for putting out fires.

I have two small ponds directly in front of my house that are filled from the roof downspouts.
There are always a five gallon bucket or two under the porch nearby, mostly used for watering plants, but also for fire emergencies.

I live in a rural area and my house water is from a well- so waiting on the fire department or trying to put out a fire with low pressure from a garden hose
would be iffy propositions.

As for letting kids swim with fish- don't get piranhas LOL

I had a few reasons for adding ponds. I currently have one by the house, one down the hill beside one of the growing areas, and am in the process of creating third by another growing spot. I also have a large catchment tank that serves the function of a pond beside the barn and services the main veggie gardens. Plus one small 300 gallon mini pond that provides water for the sheep.

Reason one, mosquito control. All the ponds have mosquito eating fish in them. That's a major benefit for us. Reason two, water storage for the gardens. Surplus rain water can be saved for dry spells. Reason three, fire use. Both the house and the barn have large ponds that could be used for firefighting. Reason four, food fish production. The two largest ponds host edible fish. Reason five, livestock water. The mini pond services the main corral where the livestock come each morning to drink and get their grain.

Side benefits include harvesting the pond plant life for feeding to the chickens. The dragon flies use the ponds for reproduction. The Muscovy ducks have one favorite pond that they like to visit daily for a bath. I'm not thrilled about that, but I let them live their lives without much restraint. And finally, I just simply like having them. We built a raised deck beside one of the ponds where we can eat a meal or simply sit and relax. The pleasure factor improves our life.

The reason why I wanted a pond on my allotment, but was not allowed, was as a drinking place for hedgehogs and habitat for amphibians, both of which to act as natural pest control, also drinking place for pollinating insects.

Ponds are great places to sit and contemplate life, if you count that as a "use".

Properly designed wetland systems can be used to treat dirty water.

Some aquatic plants are edible, but not such a good idea if you have livestock access.

Mosquito control is a bit misleading, since if you didn't have a pond you wouldn't have mosquitoes in the first place...?

Irrigation, multiple microclimates, edge effects, fish, reflect sun, duck habitat, swimming hole, soaking logs for mushrooms, water security, ice cutting (if cold climate) for ice boxes, ice skating, Aesthetics, passive cooling systems if in dry air areas, property value. The meandering path of lush plants along the collection route. Keeping nutrients on site. Protecting local water tables. Livestock drinking water.

Wow, so many good reasons for a pond. Nice.

Hester, I live in an area where mosquitos can reproduce in the rain puddles high up in the crotches of trees. They also reproduce readily in other vegetation here, such as the myriad of bromeliads that grow everywhere. With mosquito fish or guppies living in the ponds, the ponds themselves are not a source of more mosquitos. Rather, they serve to curb the population since they eliminate any that hatch in the ponds.

Some things to consider when thinking about I stalling ponds....
...liability insurance.
...permits.
...legality.

We have also pond that is containing a five gallon of water which is very small compare to others.

floating self watering gardens is another advantage. Possible sources for self pumping through ram pumps on the overflow or hydro power is another. Also the nicest animal shed for temperature that we ever had was build into the dam for a pond.