Careful shaping of the sides and selective clearing of vegetation will add beauty to the pond and make it blend in with the surrounding landscape. Leaving some brush in the bottom of the pond can create beneficial fish habitat. Creating irregular bank shapes and leaving some trees near the shore will add character and help create the beauty of reflected tree lines on the pond surface. Stocking a pond with fish can add greatly to its recreational value as well as promoting the health of the pond ecosystem. Consider safety in any pond design.
Ponds are safest when they are fenced to prevent unsupervised use by children.
Swimming areas should be clearly marked, and safety equipment stored nearby. Refer to Chuck Schwab's article on pond safety in the June 2000 issue of Acreage Living. Technical assistance for pond design is available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS engineers can also help you evaluate potential sites and design a suitable pond. Depending on the size of the pond, permits for construction or water storage may be required from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.