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Private Ponds - Pond Construction

Shoreline of a pond surrounding by trees with autumn foliage. How to Construct a Pond

The following documents will help you determine if any State, Federal and local laws/regulations apply to the cleaning, restoration or construction of a dam or pond on your property. Before constructing a dam or pond on your property, review the links below to learn about the best management practices and relevant laws/regulations.

Resources: 

  • What You Should Know About Constructing a Pond or Dam:  This document contains information about State, federal, and local laws and regulations for dams, stream alterations, wetlands, rare, threatened and endangered species, fish and wildlife considerations, US Army Corps of Engineers Regulations, Municipal Concerns, and Other Concerns. 

  • Pond Maintenance: This 2-page document details the best management practices for pond maintenance. 

  • Shoreland Best Management Practices: This page provides information, through the Lake Wise program, on green-infrastructure and shoreland vegetation options that promote healthy waterbodies by creating habitat, reducing erosion, and reducing pollution via run-off.  These Best Management Practices will help pond owners maintain good water quality, aquatic habitat, fishing, swimming and bird watching.
  • Understanding and Evaluating Water Quality:  This link will take you to a Fact Sheet on the Audubon International website. This 3-page document summarizing the sources and impacts of water pollution. Nutrient pollution may be contributing to your nuisance plant issue; this Fact Sheet will help you gain an understanding of what is causing the nuisance growth in your pond.