Permaculture Pond Restoration

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: watering systems
• Crop Production: water management
• Education and Training: demonstration
• Energy: wind power
• Natural Resources/Environment: riparian buffers, wetlands
• Production Systems: holistic management, permaculture

Our goals are to restore a debilitated man-made pond using permaculture design principles, and reintegrate it as a central part of the whole farm water management system.

The pond, and connected drain tile, were originally installed with an outdated model for water management, which accelerates the flow of water downhill to the pond, into the near by ravine, and into the Cuyahoga River. Current status includes poor soil conditions, erosion, flood/drought cycle in the fields and in the pond, and loss of topsoil into the river. Our plan includes using biological and mechanical methods (in lieu of chemical treatment) to restore the oxygen level and ecological diversity in the pond, improve soil health around the edges of the pond and in the adjacent fields, and introduce these ideas to farmers and the community of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where our farm, and our watershed are. The results will include: enhanced agricultural activity around the pond, enhanced wildlife habitat, and an innovative model for the community to learn water management.

1. Rehabilitate the pond to support a healthy fish population.
2. Stabilize the water flow in riparian buffer surrounding pond.
3. Share findings during field days with farmers, Park staff and volunteers, and community.