Wind can be good or bad for ponds, depending on the circumstances. Although wind provides oxygen, it might also cause degradation and ruin all your effort to care for your pond. Below are some additional facts about the effect of wind on ponds and how pond owners can best take advantage of it while minimizing its disadvantages.

​Wind becomes a problem when the pond’s shoreline doesn’t have sufficient soil stabilization. This means that the presence of waves near the banks can produce erosion. The best way to avoid this is to place vegetation along the edge of the water so that no landscape features are lost. Furthermore, it will stop both washouts and big cuts near the pond banks. Use small pockets of vegetation which is isolated and either emergent or submerged. One of the best for this is Bermuda grass. Any plants that develop through rhizomes with root systems that are extensive are outstanding for the stabilization of soil and will stop erosion in its tracks.

​Wind can be highly desirable during the summer months, as it will push waves along the water’s surface which will create energy that rolls over, allowing the water to capture air which is then mixed to boost the concentration of dissolved oxygen. Given the fact that oxygen levels within ponds normally fall during this time of year, it should be considered a blessing.

​The effect of wind on small backyard ponds can be adverse due to turbidity, which is the result of excessive mixing which occurs from the wind, due to solids on the pond floor being lifted up and suspended. This can result in reduced water clarity and harm to the fish, depending on how long it takes for the suspended solids to resettle. If you happen to have a small pond in an area that receives lots of wind, having submerged vegetation can reduce turbidity since it will dissipate wave energy while ensuring the soil substrate remains bound together.
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There is also the issue of oxygen depletion. If the wind is strong enough, it can push around both suspended and floating vegetation to areas downwind which are concentrated. Algae which becomes suspended and disconnected from the pond floor may also drift and become concentrated, which will result in dead spots devoid of oxygen, which will trap fish while disrupting spill ways or drains.

​The best way for pond owners to deal with wind is by constructing their ponds in a manner which accounts for it. Ponds located in windy areas should always be deep with slopes that are moderately fast. Promote the growth of aquatic vegetation, allowing it to grow in patches which are small yet isolated on the side which is downwind. Make sure the grass or vegetation is near the pond banks and keeps them manicured. Your goal is to keep the soil as stabilized as possible and thus mitigate the effect of wind on your pond.

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Continental Ponds is offering this pond information for Oklahoma City pond owners as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

Sufficient oxygen is a necessity for Oklahoma pond fish. They will utilize the supplies which are present in the water, but it must be replaced over time. Waterfalls are a key component to this process because they make water move and slam against rocks, which in turn collects oxygen which produces water aeration. Aside from this, Oklahoma pond owners should also install either a pump or fountain to acquire additional aeration, since these features will boost the water area which is in direct contact with air.

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​The key to providing fish with the essential oxygen they need is to eliminate debris from the bottom of the pond, evaluate the amount of fish present to ensure the pond is not overpopulated, and decrease the presence of fish if they are. Adding plants to the pond can also help in the oxygenation process.

Aquatic plants which are submerged will assist in oxygen regulation by cooling down the surrounding environment. In fact, species that would under normal circumstances perish from direct sunlight or an arid climate will thrive if they are in the vicinity of waterfalls since these structures produce an evaporation rate which is high. The water will come into contact with rocks and pebbles and it will thin as it moves over them. The greater surface exposure which results will cause the water that is evaporated to exchange heat, which has been found to cool nearby air to between fifteen and twenty degrees.
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In other words, water which is evaporated will increase the protection of plants against sun rays. Aside from controlling your fish population and keeping the water clean, adding the right plants to the pond in key locations is one of the best ways to provide oxygen naturally. However, choosing the correct vegetation is essential as like fish they too can cause overpopulation once they mature. Two popular plants for this purpose are either Horse Tail or Papyrus. Both should be contained, preferably in a pocket which is separate or a planter which is constructed into the waterfall or pond itself.

 For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!

Continental Ponds is offering this pond information for Oklahoma City pond owners as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

​Aquatic plants do magic to your Oklahoma pond in the most natural way. In a balanced eco-system, aquatic plants are irreplaceable and yield many benefits. Not only do they beautify your pond, they help to limit the growth of algae, filter water, break down pathogens, offer bigger surface area for good bacteria to grow, provide shelter for the animals living in the pond, and increase oxygen levels. If you are worried that your pond does not have space to house them, there are four types of aquatic plants that grow in different ways and places of the pond that you can choose from.  

​Marginal plants thrive in shallow water which are around the margins of ponds. Not only adding color and beauty to your pond, they extract harmful nutrients from your pond water before these nutrients accumulate and cause a much bigger and serious problem. Some examples are Cattails and Irises.

​Submerged plants grow underwater and are also called oxygenating plants as they are very effective at removing carbon dioxide from the water and releasing oxygen which is needed for fishes. Although they cannot be seen at first sight, they add color and life to the pond, and are natural preventive measures from fish diseases. Fish care can be done by adding oxygenating plants as they contribute to a healthy living environment for all pond creatures. Some examples of submerged plants are Fanwort and Eelgrass.

​These plants float on the surface while their roots are in the water that improves clarity of water in the pond. They also are shading and resting spots for fishes. On hot days during the summer, they help to lower the temperature of the pond, which prevent the water from heating up and risking the lives of living creatures and the quality of the pond water. You can add Water Hyacinth and Giant Duckweed to your pond for variety.

​Emergent plants are deep water plants that grow deep roots right at the bottom of the pond, with their flowers and leaves growing and spreading towards the surface of the water. These flowers and leaves provide shade and relief for fishes and other animals living in the pond on hot days. Some emergent plants are beautiful and common, such as lotus and water lilies.

These four types of aquatic plants are extremely essential for a balanced ecosystem pond. Without plants, there will be no eco-system and living creatures cannot grow. Plants help with biological filtration, while small creatures like snails will help to breakdown waste, followed by small fishes, and then larger fishes like koi and catfish. Over time, plants and creatures create a cycle where they feed off each other, reproduce and grow, forming a sustainable eco-system. If you are interested in building an eco-system pond but unsure of where and how to start, Continental Ponds is a pond specialist that is highly experienced in building and maintaining ecosystem ponds!

​Protecting Oklahoma pond fish from extreme heat is very important during the summer months. Heat waves can be hazardous to ponds because they cause increased evaporation and photosynthesis which is undesirable to many species of fish. Listed below are a few ways to minimize this frustration.

​Lowering the amount of sunlight that reaches the pond water will prevent algae from growing and spreading, which will make your pond greenish and swamp like. Some methods for doing this include pond netting, floating plants, planting islands or a pond dye. While a degree of sunlight is important, you want to reduce the effects of photosynthesis as much as possible.

​​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving all your Oklahoma pond problems!
 
Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.