Building Natural Ponds

Introduction 1. Understanding a Balanced Ecosystem Oxygen Cycle Nutrients pH Algae Animals Trees and Shrubs Plants Microbes Maintaining Balance in the Ecosystem 2. Environmental Benefits Pond Ecosystem Breeding Site for Amphibians Dragonflies and Mosquitoes Birds and Mammals Water Conservation Environmental Awareness Less Lawn Permaculture Food Sources 3. Natural Looking Designs Native Ponds Man-made Ponds How Natural Can You Get? The Borrowed View Enjoy the Pond Stones, Stones, and More Stones Plants Are Key Your Final Design 4. Planning and Design Location Legal Issues Access to Electrical Power Size Depth Water Source Bogs and Rain Gardens Trees Pond Liners Human Access Rocks Shape of the Pond and Planting Shelves Plants Excavated Soil 5. Building Site Evaluation Soil Type Installing a Preformed Pond Flexible Pond Liners Digging the Hole for a Flexible Liner Preparing the Hole Installing the Pond Liner Footings for a Dock or Bridge Adding Water Protecting Planting Shelves Stones for the Planting Shelf Leveling the Pond Edge Adding the Spillway Allowing for Inflow Edging the Pond Adding the Finishing Touches 6. Fish Fish Care Hobby Fish Game Fish 7. Plants Planting Fertilizing Starting Small Too Many Plants Plant Pests and Diseases Undesirable Pond Plants Selection of Water Plants Workhorse Water Plants 8. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Don't Do These Things Adding Water Removing Organics Winter Care Pond Leaks 9. Large-scale Ponds Special Pond Types Regulations and Permits Water Sources Liner Options General Construction Considerations Aerators and Fountains Constructing Dams Designing the Inflow Designing the Outflow Plants Eutrophication 10. Pools, Bogs, and Rain Gardens Natural Swimming Pools Bogs Rain Gardens References Index About the Author A Note About the Publisher