Cornell Cooperative Extension

Columbia and Greene Counties

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Cornell Cooperative Extension

Columbia and Greene Counties

  • Agriculture & Natural Resources
  • Family & Consumer Sciences
  • Gardening
  • Climate Change & the Environment
  • 4-H & Youth Development
  • Taste NY
Frog and Lily Pads on Pond
Image by Liz West, flickr.com

Lily Pads can hurt a pond ecosystem if uncontrolled.

Shovel and Pond
Image by Rob Boudon
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Ponds

A pond can add both beauty and utility to your property. The following resources may be helpful as you consider building a pond, or managing an existing one.

Shovel and Pond

Building A New Pond

Successful ponds require careful planning. New ponds must be located in the best spot possible, supplied by a consistent water source, and constructed with an adequate spillway.

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pond and vegetation

Aquatic Weeds & Algae

Decisions about aquatic weeds have consequences for swimming, fishing, and environmental quality. We recommend a step-by-step approach to weed management.

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Frog

Attracting Pond Wildlife

Most ponds will attract significant wildlife without any effort on your part. Here are suggestions on how to attract or discourage wildlife from taking up residence at your pond.

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Cattails in a ditch, Dryden NY

Controlling Cattails

A few cattails can be desirable in a pond however they often grow into thick stands. Learn various methods to use to control them, here.

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Last updated October 5, 2021

Ponds

  • Aquatic Weeds & Algae
  • Attracting Wildlife to Your Pond
  • Building a New Pond
  • Controlling Cattails

Soil and Water Conservation Districts for Columbia and Greene Counties

Contact your local County Soil & Water Conservation District for a pond site evaluation to determine if your site is appropriate for a pond. 

Columbia County SWCD is located at:
1024 State Route 66
Ghent, NY 12075
(518) 828-4386 option 5 

Bare Root Sales for Columbia County: 
Each spring, Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District hosts their annual Bare Root Tree and Shrub sale offering bare root plants to local residents. These plants are available at a low cost for conservation purposes, but, at the same time add to the beauty of your property.  All plants are sold as bare root (unpotted) and range in size from 10" to 24", depending on variety.  Orders are accepted from January through mid-March, with plants ready for pick-up at the end of April.  All orders are pre-paid. Payment with check or money order must accompany order when it is placed.

_______________________________________

Greene County SWCD is located at:
907 Greene County Office Building
Cairo NY 12413
(518) 622-3620

2019 Bare Root Tree & Shrub Sale for Greene County
Each spring, the District offers an annual bare root tree and shrub sale for local landowners. Seedlings and transplants are being offered in bundles of 10 or 50. Transplants available include balsam fir, white pine, and white spruce. For seedlings, they have American cranberry, arrowwood, black cherry, elderberry, red maple, red osier dogwood, red oak, river birch, silky dogwood, sugar maple, sycamore, tulip tree, and white oak. They are also offering raspberry and strawberry bundles of 10. Wildflower seed mixes, compost, tree tubes, and fertilizer tablets are also available. The order deadline is Friday, April 12th, 2019.

Events

    A black bear leaning on a fence
  • Spring Emergence – Living with American Black Bears
    Tomorrow
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Outdoor Mushroom Farming Series
    Thursday, May 22
    5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Forest Farming Fundamentals
    Thursday, June 5
    9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Ask a Master Gardener: Weeds, Bugs, and Blights—Oh My! Q&A
    Tuesday, June 17
    5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Outdoor Mushroom Farming Series
    Thursday, June 26
    5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

See more

Farm Pond Safety

This fact sheet from Penn State University Cooperative Extension covers steps to take to prevent accidental drownings in your farm pond.

Publications

Cover of The Pond Guidebook

The Pond Guidebook (2007, Ochterski, et. al). Description and order form on the NRAES website. The guidebook is written for ponds of 1/8 acre or larger in the Northeast, the Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic United States. The authors explain the causes of many common pond problems and review the advantages and drawbacks of various treatments. The book suggests practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment, promote healthy ecosystems, encourage responsible use of chemicals, and enhance biological diversity.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension
Columbia and Greene Counties

Agroforestry Resource Center (Business Office)
6055 Route 23
Acra, New York 12405
TEL: (518) 622-9820
FAX: (518) 622-0115
[email protected]
NEW Hours: 8:30 am-4:00 pm weekdays (closed for lunch 12:00-12:30 pm)

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Extension Education Center 479 Route 66
Hudson, New York 12534
(518) 828-3346

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws.

CCE Columbia and Greene Counties is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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