Pond owners, farmers and land managers met Tuesday evening at the Southwind District Extension office in Iola for a detailed look at pond management during a Kansas State University Extension Southwind District program.
The session, titled “Protecting your Liquid Assets: Practical Infrastructure & Management for Healthy Ponds,” featured Joe Gerken, K-State Fisheries/Aquatic Extension Specialist, and Lonnie Mengarelli, Southwind Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, covering topics ranging from livestock watering systems to aquatic plant management and fish stocking.
Ponds in the region are used primarily for livestock rather than recreation, and they provide a cost-effective water source. “If you have a pond, it’s a very economical way to water livestock when you’re not in a drought,” Mengarelli said, noting that water remains critical for animal health and performance.
Cattle tend to congregate around water sources, which can lead to sediment buildup and contamination over time. As livestock stand in ponds, they introduce waste and disturb soil, reducing water quality and increasing nutrient levels that promote weed growth. “If the concentration gets high enough, that will reduce your water quality,” Mengarelli said.
Poor water quality can affect livestock performance, including weight gain. Water availability also plays a key role in grazing systems, particularly rotational grazing, where access to water can limit pasture use. “You can build a fence anywhere, but if there’s no water inside that fence, livestock is not going to last very long,” Mengarelli said.
IN DISCUSSING pond maintenance, Mengarelli addressed a common question about dredging and sediment removal. He said recent drought conditions have made it easier for some producers to clean out ponds, but costs remain a significant factor, typically ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on size and conditions.
Equipment costs and the difficulty of moving sludge contribute to those expenses, and in some cases, constructing a new pond may be more practical than cleaning out an existing one.
Mengarelli used examples from his own property to show how runoff and sediment accumulation can reduce pond capacity over time. He described how agricultural runoff from neighboring fields and natural water flow patterns can accelerate sediment buildup, sometimes leaving large portions of a pond dry.
Despite the cost, he encouraged landowners to consider long-term benefits of cleaning out a pond, noting that spreading the investment over time can make it more manageable. “It’s all about perspective,” he said, adding that regular upkeep is necessary, as no watering system is maintenance-free.
A variety of watering system options are available, including concrete tanks, tire tanks and limited-access pond designs, each with different considerations such as evaporation, winter ice management and sediment control.
Mengarelli also covered alternative systems such as solar-powered wells, gravity-fed pipelines and rural water connections. In some cases, producers pump water from ponds to tanks located away from the water source to improve water quality and reduce livestock impact on the pond.
Proper design is important, including maintaining adequate elevation for gravity flow systems and preventing sediment buildup in pipelines. Low spots in buried lines can create blockages, while sediment pits can be used to flush systems when needed.
Mengarelli covered conservation practices that can extend pond life, including fencing to keep livestock out of the water and establishing buffer zones to reduce erosion. He said even simple measures, such as maintaining a grass strip around a pond, can help limit sediment and nutrient runoff. “Fencing off your pond can add years of life to your pond,” Mengarelli said.
Windbreak placement around watering systems can also affect performance in winter, with north-side placement helping reduce freezing, though snow buildup and livestock behavior must be considered.
GERKEN’S portion of the program focused on pond ecology, beginning with a discussion of common concerns among pond owners, including weeds, algae, and fish populations.
He explained that nutrient runoff from livestock areas and crop fields can significantly impact pond conditions. Excess nutrients act similarly to fertilizer, promoting algae and plant growth.
