Ponds for open pond culture need to be 4-6 feet in depth. Deeper ponds may be used if equipped with drains to permit efficient harvest. Pond Watershed Land usage in the watershed area of a pond is important in fish culture. Drainage from areas containing toxic contaminants might kill your fish or make them unfit to eat. Oil production zones, industrial complexes, agricultural areas using pesticides and herbicides, and runoff from cities should be avoided.
Cattle use ponds, especially in warm months, to cool themselves.
They will relieve their body wastes directly into the water. One cow produces wastes equivalent to many hundreds of market size fish. Runoff containing organic waste from overstocked pastures, feed lots, barns and septic systems can overload a pond's capacity to break down organic matter. Drainage from highly eroded areas produces large amounts of suspended silt and soil. In some cases, problems involving toxic chemicals, excessive nutrient loading and excessive turbidity can be corrected.