Floating wetlands are artificial floating platforms planted with vegetation that can be deployed in stormwater ponds and other surface waters to help improve water quality. Floating wetlands absorb excess nutrients, provide habitat for aquatic and…
Healthy vegetation within buffer zones helps prevent erosion and intercepts sediment and pollutants (e.g., phosphorus) that can compromise water quality. The vegetation in buffer zones can include grasses, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and trees. Once established,…
Livestock need access to adequate volumes of clean water every day to grow and thrive. However, unrestricted livestock access to surface waters could impair surface water quality for livestock, aquatic organisms, and downstream users.1 This…
Dredging is often one of the larger projects a pond owner may consider; successful projects require careful planning and frequently involve hiring a professional experienced in planning, permitting, and completing similar work. This publication provides…
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when algal communities and cyanobacteria dominate water bodies or produce toxins or other compounds that can cause taste or odor issues in water and negatively impact the health of aquatic ecosystems.…
Excessive aquatic plant growth is a common complaint and may interfere with desired uses of ponds. Phosphorus and nitrogen typically drive aquatic plant growth, which may persist while nutrient levels remain elevated. This publication will…
Recreational ponds are a unique addition to any landscape and offer many benefits to the owner. Recreational ponds typically provide one or more of these common goals: visual amenity, fishing, swimming, wildlife, or bird watching,…
This article is intended for stormwater pond owners, property management professionals, pond management professionals, and county and municipal staff to learn about the design, function, and management of stormwater ponds. Introduction Altering land use or…
Four types of ponds are common in South Carolina; these include aquaculture, irrigation, recreational, and stormwater ponds. Pond type influences the practices used to manage water quality, water quantity, and aquatic biodiversity. This article provides…
One of the more challenging aspects of developing pasture and grazing land is providing access to a reliable water supply for livestock. In some cases, existing streams, creeks, or ponds provide drinking water for the…
