Proper site selection, design, and construction are essential to the success of a small impoundment. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), working with the county Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), can provide valuable information on pond construction. The county SWCD office is usually located in the county seat and should be your first stop as you begin to plan for a pond or small lake.
Ohio ponds should be at least eight feet deep if fish are to be stocked, and banks should be built with 3:1 slopes. A properly built pond, when full, will have a minimum of water less than three feet deep to discourage growth of aquatic vegetation. Water flowing into the pond should be free of pollution and sediment, and the pond banks should be protected with a good sod cover. Also, you may wish to allow adequate space around your pond for landscaping, wildlife cover, and a picnic shelter. If you intend to stock the pond, remember that ponds one acre or larger usually produce better fishing than smaller ponds.
