Pros and Cons of Backyard Ponds (2024)

FAQs

Are backyard ponds worth it? ›

A backyard pond could turn them from a couch potato into a wildlife expert. The whole family can learn about ecosystems, plants, animals, and nature. Record and photograph wildlife, cultivate aquatic plants, even make a school project out of it! Plant an appreciation for nature in them and watch it grow.

Pond Disadvantages: Can require lots of maintenance. You may have to fish out leaves and trash that get blown into it. And you need to do something to stop mosquitoes from breeding in it.

Living near water can increase the risk of flooding, erosion, and water-related hazards such as hurricanes, storms, and tsunamis. Additionally, proximity to water bodies may attract pests like mosquitoes and increase humidity levels.

It's not hard to maintain a garden pond, but it can be time-consuming. Even so, it's well worth the extra effort.

While ponds have always been a haven for beautiful fish, such as Koi and goldfish, they also attract and provide a sanctuary of breeding for indigenous wildlife in your neighborhood, like dragonflies, frogs, and birds.

On average, land with a pond will sell for between 5% and 15% more than land without a pond. However, this doesn't mean that one can just dig a pond and forget it! There are a couple of factors to consider. First is that the higher the property's acreage, the less value a pond adds overall.

Most garden ponds are anywhere from 2 to 6 feet deep. The pond depth will determine how much light and heat reach the pond's bottom, which in turn will affect plant growth and the development of pond wildlife. Many garden pond owners opt for a depth of 3 feet.

The average annual cost of maintaining a pond is around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on size and type. This can include services such as water testing, algae removal, pump repairs, liner replacement, and water treatments.

Pros of backyard ponds:

A water source for wildlife. A food source for predators such as owls and herons. An ecological 'source' of new individuals in populations of animals. Homes for dragonflies and damselflies (which eat mosquitoes as larvae in the ponds and adults in flight)

Stagnant Ponds Have Less Oxygen

Maintaining healthy oxygen levels is crucial for any pond. When a pond becomes stagnant, the oxygen levels can drop, and this can lead to fish kills. Even with ponds not stocked with fish, low oxygen levels accelerate the growth of floating organic matter and can cause terrible odors.

Can I put a pond in my backyard? ›

Ketterling and Smith say it's possible to DIY a backyard pond, but don't hesitate to call a professional if you need help. “You can DIY your own backyard pond, but it is important that you know how to seal the feature,” Smith says. “A pro will dig down and put a coating on top of the concrete to prevent leaks.

You don't want to put a pond in a low spot that gets runoff when it rains, which can cause flooding. Water that crosses over lawns, gardens or farms—whether yours or a neighbor's—can also bring in chemicals or fertilizers that may harm aquatic plants and creatures.

Poor Location: Ponds are too often placed in an unused area of the property or in a low spot that collects water. Both of these locations cause problems.

Having clean freshwater available in case of an emergency will help bring peace of mind. A well-designed pond can also be a way of dealing with soggy spots or rain runoff in a backyard. The pond also can be used to water plants in your yard during a drought, dry season, or after a frozen winter.

The discharge of nutrient-rich effluents into surrounding water bodies can disrupt local ecosystems, triggering algal blooms and oxygen depletion, further exacerbating the environmental toll. Disease transmission is another significant drawback of fish farming, particularly in high-density aquaculture systems.

Ponds have the ability to act as a carbon sink, meaning that they can capture carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and store that carbon in the biodiversity of both land and aquatic plants that thrive in the pond ecosystem.