On impounded ponds, the outlet can be a simple overflow structure. Water quality in a pond should not be a problem if there is an adequate supply of clean water and there is no runoff or seepage from nutrient-rich sources such as barnyards, septic tanks, fertilized lawns or other polluted sources. Fence all livestock away from the pond and pipe the water in an area where they won't harm the pond. All ponds eventually have weeds, particulary in the shallow water around the edge. Weeds can be controlled using mechanical and chemical means as temporary solutions, but the construction of the pond and nutrients from water sources have the most impact on weed growth.
Ponds can be dangerous for swimmers, especially children.
A bass and bluegill combination is popular in many ponds. Catfish and trout are also used. Trout may be stocked if the water is cold enough, but they will not reproduce in the pond. Limit the number of species to avoid management problems later. All of the disturbed area around the pond should be seeded with adapted grasses and legumes at least 20 feet from the edge of the pond.