dang it....I had a really well though out response all done, and my internet explorer crashed. So I'll try again...lol!! First...a few comments regarding how koi ponds compare to aquariums. Normally, aquariums are lightly stocked with small fish. It's really easy to keep the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate cycle operating perfectly in a correctly stocked environment. Same as a rock bottom pond...lightly stocked and properly maintanied it can work. In a pond's bio filter, ammonia is converted to nitrite and then to nitrate. Nitrate is most easily removed froma koi pond by way of regular water changes. Ever try to keep an aquarium with goldfish? Many goldie keepers I know keep no gravel in the tank at all, because of maintenance. That gravel gets really filthy very fast. I had a lovely goldie tank once....and gave it up. the maintenance was a nightmare! I'd rather deal with a huge koi pond any day of the week. Some people are reporting sucess with rock bottom ponds and no maintenance. Again...it is directly related to stocking levels. I hope these ponds continue to perform well for years to come, but for the vast majority of people, they will not. Most watergardeners install their ponds (and rocks) and then run out and buy a bunch of adorable little 5" long koi. The koi grow.....fast. They produce mountains of fish waste, which all gets trapped in the rocks. But because the pond looks clean, the owner is lulled into a false sense of security and does not think that there is a thing wrong, until the fish start dying or the fins start rotting off. Then they do one of two thing....they learn where they went wrong and correct their mistakes, or they just buy new fish (which is unfortunatly what most people do). Matt...you are on the right track with your new pond. You certainly can install your bottom drain now and add the rest of the system later. But instead of using a pipe cap, install a 4" ball valve on the end of the line. The water can't be permitted to sit stagnant in the unused drain line for too long or it will start developing the dreaded hydrogen sulphide gas. Opening that valve every couple of weeks and allowing the water to flow out for a couple of minutes will prevent the problems. I am attaching a link to the Atlanta Koi Club's web site. They have an excellent pdf that explains a lot about how a koi pond works, water quality, stocking levels, how much biofiltration is needed and many other wonderful facts. Cindy

LOL, chas. You are correct, the initials do stand for Dept. of Natural Resources. As can be expected there are a lot of those alphabet agencies out there that may or may not be helpful. Which one has helpful info. in your area varies in the extreme. Some are identical to other agencies that have totally different objectives. Then there are private companies that want to sell you something. Mokitty, there is no reason in the world why a holding pond, retention pond, dew pond cannot be ornamental. From what I see in the photos, someone has tried to do that in the past and has recently let it go. Recently being totally subjective. The grasses around the pond can be cut back, the old bridge removed or replaced, wild shrubs and other plants identified and volunteer saplings removed. That should keep you busy for a while. Cutting back the grasses will help control the number of migratory ducks that use the pond.I wouldn't mention the ducks to anyone but the Extention service and would be cautious even there. They might prevent you from doing anything that might change the current function of the pond including cutting the grass. The Environmental Protection Agency is well known for that. Avoid them if possible. Here are some sites that look like they can give you decent info on the purpose of your pond. http://www.gotalgae.com/retention_ponds.htm coastalwaterwatch.com/product2121.htm http://www.co.monmouth.nj.us/documents/61/Stormwater%20Management%20Basins.pdf Call the DNR and the Extension service and specifically ask "Do you have any material related to small retention ponds or dewponds and wildlife habitat?" This is one of those projects that may or may not require lots of planning and/or physical intervention. For now, look for traces of a previous pathway to the pond and improve that. Starting at the bridge may go faster. Observe what the weather does to the water level. Keep track of water levels for as long as you can, months are better than weeks and compare them with rainfall. See what happens to the pond and the surrounding area during and after a heavy/light rain. Locate and clear any over/outflow. Identify grasses and other plants. They may have been chosen for specific purposes such as erosion control, wildlife cover, food source, etc. Tall grasses may prevent debris from overwhelming the pond. Search for electric hookups. Do they even exist? Is there a bad odor like sewage that would indicate dredging for organic matter is needed and the pond is deficient in oxygen. Float something on the surface to see if there is any sort of water movement. You might find that overflow where your float ends up. Check the soil on the outside of the pond and on the inside of the pond to see if it is the same. Are there lots of rocks on the sides of the pond? How deep is the mulm/debris on the bottom? Did the former owners leave any pond equipment behind? Get the water tested or get a testing kit and do it yourself. No strips. They just don't give good readings. There are people out there who can do the hard work of cleaning out the pond for a hefty price. Before you hire them, know enough about what the pond does that it will be you in charge. Ask questions. There are enough posters here to answer most questions or who will send you where you can get the right answers. I hope this has not overwhelmed you.

Thanks for the response Sherry, We don't get a lot of butterflies here in our suburban yard, so any sighting is cause for excitement. We get a few sulphers, whites, hairstreaks, Painted Ladies, Western and Pipevine Swallowtails and a few Monarchs late in the season. The GF's are always a welcome sight! We do get to see more variety if we get up to the meadows of the Sierra or visit other natural areas... Mike

Just stumbled upon this site researching dragon flies. I lost my wife to Metastatic Breast cancer 5/12. Shortly after, I read a story on MSN.COM about a bride who lost her mom and how dragon flies appeared at the ceremony and one landed on her shoulder while walking down the isle. I started to pay attention to this creature at home. Last summer while on my deck, I noticed a Dragon Fly came by. I hung around awhile, landing on the railing or circling my deck, then as fast as it appeared, it disappeared. This happened almost every time I went onto the deck. We had a West Highland Terrier named Sophia. This was my wife's dog. This dog would follow her everywhere. I always commented that if my wife stopped too quickly, she would land up her butt!!. A year after my wife was diagnosed, Sophia also developed cancer. She was gone in a week after the diagnosis. My wife and I were heartbroken. So we searched for another Westie. When we found a litter, my wife said "The first one that gives me a kiss, is the one I want". Well we brought Maddison home in July of 2011. My wife passed away less than a year later. One day this past summer, I was on the deck and Maddison was in the garden searching for varmints. A Dragon Fly appeared, flew around the deck, circled me, then flew down to Maddison, circled her. As fast as it appeared, it was gone. It gave me the chills. I now have a girlfriend. She was experiencing problems at work and it was really disturbing her. She was still at work and I was mowing the lawn. While mowing, an idea suggestion popped into my head. I figured I would talk to her when she got home when a Dragon Fly started circling me the entire time I was mowing. It suddenly dawned on me that this insect was trying to tell me something. I stopped the mower to come in the house to call my GF, and that fast, the Dragon Fly disappeared. I now look for a Dragon Fly every time I am outside. I have a new appreciation for this creature and feel blessed when I see one. Oh, and one more thing. I have read that Dragonflies stay close to water. Well, the closest water we have around here is about 1/4 mile away.