Statement
There are over a million private impoundments (lakes, ponds, and stock tanks) in Texas, and they are valuable resources to their owners. Ponds are valued for recreation (e.g. swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing), for livestock watering, for irrigation, for wildlife attraction, for esthetics, and they may increase the value of the property when properly maintained. Good management of these impoundments is critical if they are to maintain their value and function as viable ecological units.
Proper impoundment management can reduce water loss, increase wildlife attraction, improve water quality, increase fishing enjoyment, enhance esthetics, and reduce mosquito and other nuisance animal problems. It is important to remember that these impoundments are not natural but “man” made and therefore “management” is necessary to maintain them.
There are many aspects to proper impoundment management including:
- site selection and construction,
- water quality evaluation and maintenance,
- stocking,
- harvesting,
- keeping records,
- controlling pests (e.g., aquatic vegetation, etc.),
- controlling livestock entry, and
- enhancement techniques.
All of these topics and more are covered in our publications and videos.