TROTWOOD, Ohio — Each April and May, there is no shortage of pond clinics throughout the region. At most, the routine is the same – dig a hole, add water and include a few fish.

But at the pond clinic sponsored by the Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Preble and Montgomery counties in western Ohio, the focus was on aquaculture, with added emphasis on pond liability.

“On most farms nowadays you may see a small pond, and most of those serve as livestock watering holes,” said Cliff Stanton, an aquaculture expert from Solon, Ohio. “Ponds can and should be lucrative appeal for an assortment of wildlife and the result is a thriving, healthy pond. In addition, such gathering places for wildlife can increase the value of one’s land.”

In Trotwood earlier this month attendees learned how to attract certain wildlife to a pond, how to discourage unwanted wildlife and what to do if one finds a wounded animal. “Even a small pond will make a big difference to your land, attracting a wide range of creatures,” Stanton said. “You really start out slow but in time, your pond will thrive with everything from mayflies to hedgehogs.”

Stanton said the selection for the pond site is crucial, one that needs plenty of sunshine. He noted, though, even shady ponds make good habitats for newts.

“To attract the widest range of wildlife, one should create areas of shallow water, which are essential for the lifecycles of frogs, dragonflies and water beetles,” he said. “It will also make it easier for creatures like hedgehogs and birds to bathe. The deeper areas up to one meter are vital as well, because frogs overwinter in the muddy depths.”

Stanton found success by starting with yellow perch and blue gill in his ponds. He also recommends the use of white amur to keep pond algae under control. He said frogs, birds, dragonflies, hedgehogs, newts and water insects are among the most desired forms of wildlife by most pond owners.

“Frogs need ponds to breed and tadpoles will feed on the algae in the water,” he said. “To attract frogs it’s best to create an area of plants where frogs can shelter, and this will provide valuable shade and cover from predators.

“Dragonflies breed in water and need submerged plants for their developing larvae. For attracting dragonflies a pond should be in a sunny but sheltered location. Other insects common to any pond are pond skaters, which you’ll see zipping across a pond surface from April to autumn, and water boatmen, which live at the bottom of the pond and feed on plant debris and algae. Most are unaware the importance of the water boatmen.”

Newts lay their eggs on pond plants. Good varieties to include are water forget-me-nots, watercress and reeds. Birds and hedgehogs are among the most beloved by pond creators, Stanton said.

“Birds will visit ponds to drink and to bathe,” he added. “Keeping their feathers clean is essential, especially in the winter, as damp feathers are easier to preen.

“And if you’re wanting to attract hedgehogs, it’s important to remember to create a gentle slope for access or lay a plank down as a ramp. Hedgehogs can swim, but if they have no way out of a pond, they can become exhausted and die. And avoid pond netting, as it can trap these animals.”

Shawn Murphy of Michael Murphy Insurance informed attendees how to prevent a pond from being a liability. As the owner of a one-third-acre pond, Murphy said the first step is to notify one’s insurer.

“You’ll be asked to inform the insurer about the depth of the pond, distance to the nearest neighbor, distance to the roadway, the purpose of the pond (livestock or recreational) and any fencing used,” he said.

“Ohio has a Child Trespasser law which states that the landowner has a duty to protect foreseeable child trespassers from dangerous artificial conditions.”

According to Murphy, pond liability is more than erecting a No Trespassing sign.

“It’s all about loss control,” he said. “Perhaps you need a lifesaving device, lighting or fencing. It would be a good idea to mark depth areas, designated swimming areas or even have a telephone nearby. “If you’re going to use it for recreation, you need to look at the hazards of using a diving board, rope swings and ladders. And you need to use a lot of common sense. You wouldn’t stock alligators to control the geese population, or piranhas to subdue the overpopulation of bluegills.”

Pond clinics are offered in many Ohio counties each spring. Guernsey and Noble counties will co-host a pond clinic on June 9; call 740-432-5624 for more information.