Normal evaporation combined with water removed by trees and vegetation around the pond means there is not enough water to last through a dry season. Farmers should view a dry pond as one in need of repair, he added. To restore depth to the center of a pond, landowners should remove sediment in and trees around the pond. But, according to Powell, if seepage losses are excessive, removing sediment is not going to solve the problem alone. In fact, even new ponds can leak badly if not built correctly, he said.
Maintenance is vital to keep a pond in good condition so it can perform the intended purpose.
County Extension agents in Kansas have information that can help farmers who have questions about how to manage their farm ponds. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.