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<br />IJ01534 <br /> <br /> <br />Management <br /> <br />Evaluation of effectiveness <br /> <br />Anyone who constructs or encourages the construction of stock <br />ponds should make an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of such ponds. <br />Observations should be made of the percent of time they contain water <br />during the grazing season. Occasionally rainfall patterns are such that <br />ponds may fill only once in several years. In such areas it may be <br />impractical to maintain existing ponds or to construct additional ponds, <br />particularly if there is a possibility that some other source of water, <br />such as wells or springs, can be developed. <br /> <br />Maintenance and repair <br /> <br />Dams and their appurtenances should be kept in good repair. A <br />common neglect is failure to maintain adequate freeboard on a dam. <br />Traveling of livestock across or over a dam may wear it down so that <br />a condition dangerous to the structu re develops. Burrowing animals <br />sometimes cause leakage with subsequent partial or complete failure. <br />Spillway erosion frequently takes place, and cutoff walls or additional <br />riprap may be needed. In other instances, the spillway may become <br />overgrown with vegetation to such an extent that its cap city is reduced <br />mater iall y. <br /> <br />Stock ponds, like fences or buildings, tend to become dilapidated <br />and eventually fail unles they are maintained. A small amount of annual <br />maintenance will usually save large repair bills over the years. <br /> <br />44 <br /> <br />. ~t <br /> <br />j, <br /> <br />JL, <br />