6.1. SR 02-01-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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c . Excavated Ponds for Waterfowl (. Landowners frequently ask natural resource agencies how they can improve their land for waterfowl. Specifi- cally, many people wonder if excavating ponds will help. This brochure will outline when and where dug ponds, or "dugouts", can be beneficial, and provides construc- tion guidelines for optimum waterfowl benefit. Refer to our" Ecology ofW etlands" brochure for more informa- tion. SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A DUGOUT FOR YOUR PROPERTY? Dugouts should be considered only where other wetland management options are not possible. Before you decide to excavate a pond, you should survey the site to determine if other options, such as ditch plugs, tile breaks, or dikes would work. Wetlands restored by (. .educing drainage are always preferable to dugouts. In general, dugouts should only be co~structed if there are other open-water wetlands within one-half mile. .. .------. ---::' ---...-- .~ ---:':.I~ -...,=-~. ~~. Waterfowl use dugouts primarily for courtShip and territorial sites, and must have other wetlands to fulfill feeding and brood-rearing needs. Small dug- outs (less than one-half acre) are used mostly in spring or fall migration, less so in summer. Larger dugouts will get more summer use, if they're the right depth (1.5 - 3 feet). You should not excavate a dugout in an existing wetland, especially one with open water. This can destroy the existing wetland by draining surface water off. Excavations should be outside the edge of the wetland, where the water table is still adequately high. Cattail-choked wetlands are an exception w this rule, where vegetation covers the entire surface of the wetland, and surface water is rarely present. In these cases, it may be acceptable to dig in the wetland basin, but you should still stay close to the edge. For . these projects, you will need to observe permit requirements described below and should talk to the local D NR Wildlife Manager.